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.
Shane Tyrell Stenson, 29, of Hickory, was given an active prison term of seven to 10 years for possession of firearm by a convicted felon, possession of methamphetamine and status as a habitual felon. The sentence was imposed by Superior … Read More
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
Lashawn “Shawn” Malcolm Davis, 35, of Catawba, was sentenced to serve 10 to 13 years in prison for crimes of violence and his status as an armed habitual felon during Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The … Read More
Frank Anthony Merhi, 37, of Vale, was given an active prison sentence of seven to 10 years following his conviction for trafficking fentanyl by possession during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, July 27, 2026. The sentence was imposed by … Read More
The Catawba County District Attorney’s Office donated school supplies to the Women of Warriors organization as a service project. The supplies will be distributed to children whose parents serve in the National Guard. Women of Warriors (WOW) was created as … Read More
Christopher Michael Welch, 38, of Conover, has been sentenced to serve 42 to 54 years in prison following his conviction for attempted first-degree murder and child abuse offenses, stemming from the prolonged abuse of three young children. The sentence was … Read More
Coy Lamar Scott Jr., 53, of Newton, was given an active prison term of seven to 13 years following his conviction for first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor during Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. The sentence … Read More
Gregory Shawn Kain, 57, of Newton, will serve seven to 10 years in prison after he was found guilty of trafficking fentanyl by a Catawba County jury on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The sentence was imposed by Superior Court Karen … Read More
Nathan Carl Adams, 42, of Conover, was given an active prison sentence of six to eight years after his conviction for trafficking fentanyl during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, July 13, 2026. The sentence was imposed by Superior Court … Read More
Nicholas Aundrey Propst, 43, of Hickory, was sentenced to an active prison term of 11 to 14 years for a workplace assault during Catawba County Superior Court on Thursday, July 9, 2026. The sentence was imposed by Superior Court Judge … Read More