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.


Defendant Tykevious Thomas

Bond Revoked For Shooting Suspect In Burke County

Bond was revoked for a Vale man charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury in Burke County. Tykevious Owan Thomas, 27, was given a $500,000 secured bond for allegedly shooting … Read More

DA Reilly Speaks at Event

DA Supports Charters of Freedom In Caldwell County

District Attorney Scott Reilly was one of the featured speakers for the dedication ceremony of the Charters of Freedom in the City of Lenoir that took place on July 3, 2019. Reilly, the elected DA for the 36th Prosecutorial District … Read More

Defendant Icey Gooden

Woman Sentenced to 25+ Years for 2nd Degree Murders

On Friday, March 8, 2019, Icey Chennell Gooden, 28, entered a guilty plea to two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of first-degree kidnapping in Burke County Superior Court in relation … Read More

Defendant Joshua Lumpkins

Caldwell Man Convicted Of Sex Offenses With Child

Joshua Lee Lumpkins, 46, of Hudson, will spend at least 25 years in prison following his conviction for two counts of attempted first-degree statutory rape and two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. The Honorable Daniel A. Kuehnert, … Read More

Defendant Justin Dalton

No Death Penalty In Case Against Murder Suspect

The State is not seeking the death penalty in the murder case against 32-year-old Justin Drew Dalton, of Newton. Prosecutors announced during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, that they do not intend to proceed with the … Read More

Defendant Katlyn Hendricks

Knife Attack Results in Conviction for Belmont Woman

Katlyn Danielle Hendricks, 25, of Belmont, N.C., will spend six to nine years in prison following her conviction for assault with a deadly weapon intent to kill inflicting serious injury during Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. … Read More

Defendant Francisco Lopez

Man Convicted in Stabbing after Fifteen Years on the Run

Francisco Loyola Lopez, 39, of Conover, was given an active prison term of 31 to 47 months following his conviction for assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury from a 2003 offense during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, … Read More

Defendant Joseph Barker

State Won’t Pursue Death Penalty for Murder Suspect

The State will not seek the death penalty in the murder case against 47-year-old Joseph Wayne Barker of Vale. During a hearing in Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, June 24, 2019, prosecutors announced their intent to proceed with the … Read More