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 Shannon Diehl

Lexington Man Sentenced for Robbery and Kidnapping

A Lexington, N.C., man will spend eight to 11 years in prison after being convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon and three counts of second-degree kidnapping during Burke County Superior Court. … Read More

Defendant Sherry Lyden

Hickory Woman Sentenced in Statutory Sex Case

Sherry Lyden, 28, of Hickory, will serve an active prison sentence of at least 12 years following her conviction for statutory sex offense with a child during Burke County Superior Court on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. The Honorable Robert C. … Read More

Defendant Billy Hildebran

Defendant Sentenced for Assault on Police Officer

A Hickory man will serve an active prison term of eight to 13 years following his conviction for assaults on a law enforcement officer during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, February 25, 2019. Barry Talmadge Hildebran, 48, was sentenced … Read More

Defendant Jeffery Tucker

Prison Sentence Imposed in Flee to Elude Case

Jeffery Dean Tucker was given an active prison sentence of eight to 10 years for felony flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle and his habitual felon status. Tucker, 53, of Maiden, was sentenced to the active prison term … Read More

Defendant Henry Pham

Hickory Man Sentenced for Habitual DWI

Henry Pham, 34, of Hickory, was sentenced to an active prison term of five to seven years following his conviction for habitual driving while impaired (DWI) and admission of his status as a habitual felon during Catawba County Superior Court … Read More

Defendant Amy Branch

Co-Defendant Sentenced in Statutory Sex Case

Amy Norris Branch, 38, of Maiden, was sentenced to serve an active prison term of four to six years following her conviction for three counts of solicitation to commit a sexual offense with a child during Catawba County Superior Court … Read More

Defendants Childress and Moore

Co-Defendants Sentenced in Murder Case

Two people were convicted of second-degree murder in connection with the June 2013 death of a Lenoir man during Caldwell County Superior Court on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Earl Franklin Moore, Jr., 40, of Lenoir, was sentenced to 23 to … Read More

Lady Justice Statue

Death Penalty Will Not be Sought in Hickory Death

Prosecutors for the State announced during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, February 4, 2019, that they will not seek the death penalty in the murder case of Jerry Lewis Woods. Woods, 60, of Hickory, is charged with murder in … Read More

Defendant Gerald Buff

Second Degree Murder Conviction in Stabbing Death

A Morganton man will spend at least 14 years in prison following his conviction in Burke County Superior Court on Monday, February 4, 2019, for second-degree murder in connection with an October 2017 stabbing death. Gerald Dean Buff, 63, was … Read More

Defendant Marshall Freeman

Consecutive Prison Term Imposed for Morganton Defendant

A Morganton man already serving a lengthy prison sentence will spend more time incarcerated following his conviction for robbery with a dangerous weapon and attempted trafficking during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, January 30, 2019. Marshall Shane Freeman, 30, … Read More