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.
Zachary Michael Bradley, 28, of Conover, was sentenced to serve eight to 10 years in prison following his conviction for a number of violent crimes during Catawba County Superior Court on Thursday, December 11, 2025. The Honorable Peter Knight, Superior … Read More
A Newton man will spend eight to 11 years in prison following his conviction for multiple criminal offenses and admission of his status as a habitual felon during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. The Honorable Peter … Read More
Curtis Rakeem Clarke, 35, of Hickory, was sentenced to serve six to nine years in prison following his conviction for property crimes and admission of status as a habitual felon during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. … Read More
Jordan Ashlee Abernathy was sentenced to an active prison term of six to eight years after he was found guilty as charged on all drug offenses by a jury to conclude a two-day trial in Catawba County Superior Court on … Read More
36th Prosecutorial District Attorney Scott Reilly and his family kicked off the holiday season by participating in the annual Christmas parade for the City of Hickory on Friday, November 21, 2025. “Beth and I were proud to join the Hickory … Read More
Phillip James Preston, 42, of Sherrills Ford, was sentenced to serve six to eight years in prison following his conviction for trafficking methamphetamine by possession during Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The Honorable Peter Knight, Superior … Read More
A Granite Falls man will serve seven to 10 years in prison following his conviction for trafficking fentanyl by possession during Caldwell County Superior Court on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The Honorable Gary Gavenus, Superior Court Judge from Yancey County, … Read More
A jury returned a guilty verdict for 56-year-old Cornelius Sylvanus Burnett on child sex offenses to conclude a week-long trial in Burke County Superior Court on Monday, November 10, 2025. The Honorable Gary Gavenus, Superior Court Judge from Yancey County, … Read More
Kenneth Christopher Day, 26, of Granite Falls, was sentenced to serve seven to 10 years in prison following his conviction for trafficking fentanyl during Caldwell County Superior Court on October 27, 2025. The Honorable Tommy Davis, Superior Court Judge from … Read More
Jayson Christopher Corpening, 31, of Lenoir, was sentenced to an active prison term of seven to nine years following a plea to attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon during Catawba County Superior Court on Thursday, November 6, 2025. The Honorable … Read More