News and Press Releases from the DA's Office

Below you will find information about the latest pleas, trials, and important developments in Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties. As an office, we are bound by the Rules of Professional Conduct for all North Carolina attorneys, and special rules for prosecutors. Therefore, we often only comment on cases after final disposition.

For all media inquiries and requests, for all three counties, please contact Nathan Key by phone: 828-695-6193 or email: Nathan.D.Key@nccourts.org.


South Carolina Woman Pleads Guilty To Trafficking Offenses

Elizabeth Pettit Seals, 52, of Gaffney, S.C., will spend seven to 10 years in prison following her conviction for trafficking methamphetamine by possession and transportation. The Honorable Karen Eady-Williams, Superior Court Judge from Mecklenburg County, imposed the active prison term … Read More

Former Police Officer Gets Prison Term of 8 To 10 Years

A former Newton Police Department lieutenant will spend eight to 10 years in prison following his conviction for second-degree murder during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Carlos Alverto Uribe, 29, of Conover, was given the active … Read More

Habitual Felon Status Lengthens Sentence For Conover Man

A Conover man was sentenced to serve a prison term of six to nine years following his conviction for multiple criminal offenses and admission of habitual felon status. Superior Court Judge Karen Eady-Williams of Mecklenburg County issued the active sentence … Read More

Newton Man Enters Guilty Plea To Discharging Weapon

A Newton man will spend six to nine years in prison following his conviction for discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling, first-degree burglary and a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. The sentence was imposed for 49-year-old Tyraun Lamont Clark … Read More

Catawba Man Will Serve Prison Term For Trafficking Meth

Joshua Lynn Whitmire, 38, of Catawba, was given an active prison sentence of six to eight years following his conviction for trafficking methamphetamine by possession and transportation. The sentence was imposed by Superior Court Judge Kaen Eady Williams of Mecklenburg … Read More

Vale Woman Gets Prison Term For Trafficking Methamphetamine

A Vale woman will spend six to eight years in prison following her conviction for trafficking methamphetamine during Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The sentence for 33-year-old Jennifer Ann Biggs was imposed by Superior Court Judge … Read More