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.
Regina Vess Nelson, 52 of Conover, will serve six to eight years in prison following her conviction for trafficking methamphetamine during Catawba County Superior Court on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The Honorable Nathaniel J. Poovey, Superior Court Judge from Catawba … Read More
Rodney Oneal Lavan, 59, of Hickory, was sentenced to serve five to eight years in prison following his conviction for possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance and admission of habitual felon status. The … Read More
A Newton man will serve a prison sentence of 12 to 19 years following his conviction for the sexual assault of a teenage female victim during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The Honorable Sherri W. Elliott, … Read More
Jonathan David Shamblin, 35, of Mount Holly, was sentenced to serve six to eight years in prison following his conviction for drug and property offenses during Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. The Honorable Clifton H. Smith, … Read More
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