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.


Robbery and Assault Lands Defendant 8-12 Years

Ezra Harold Patton, 23, of Morganton, was given an active prison sentence of eight to 12 years following his conviction for multiple crimes during Burke County Superior Court on Monday, February 17, 2020. The Honorable Steve Warren, Superior Court Judge from Buncombe County, imposed the prison term for Patton after he pleaded … Read More

Domestic-Related 2nd Degree Murder Lands Hudson Man 20-25 Years

A Hudson man was sentenced to serve more than two decades in prison following his conviction for second-degree murder during Caldwell County Superior Court on Monday, February 17, 2020. Nathan Alexander Vasquez, 25, was given an active prison sentence of 20 to 25 … Read More

Defendant to Serve 5+ Years for Burglary, Theft

Christopher Eugene McCrary, 39, of Conover, received an active prison sentence of five to seven years following his conviction for two counts of larceny of motor vehicle, larceny after breaking and entering, and first-degree burglary. The Honorable Gregory R. Hayes, … Read More

Valdese Man who Called 911 on himself Pleads Guilty to 2nd Degree Murder

Jeremy Shayne Baldridge, 23, of Valdese, was given an active prison term of 28 to 35 years following his conviction for second-degree murder during Burke County Superior Court on Monday, February 3, 2020. The Honorable Marvin P. Pope, Superior Court Judge from Buncombe County, imposed the sentence for … Read More

Morganton Woman Sentenced up to 11 Years for Robbery, Assault

Kristen Jewel Ellis, 26, of Morganton, will spend at least seven years in prison following her conviction for multiple criminal offenses during Burke County Superior Court on Monday, January 6, 2020. The Honorable Daniel A. Kuehnert, Superior Court Judge from Burke … Read More