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.
A former Newton Police Department lieutenant awaits sentencing after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder during Catawba County Superior Court on Thursday, June 4, 2026. Carlos Alverto Uribe, 29, of Conover, entered the plea in front of the Honorable Athena … Read More
A Conover couple will spend 33 to 40 years in prison following their convictions for second–degree murder and related charges during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Cecil Ray Traylor Jr., 35, and Tara Melinda Jackson, 36, … Read More
Larry Dean Smith Jr., 50, of Vale, will serve six to eight years in prison following his conviction for two counts of trafficking cocaine by possession during Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. The Honorable Athena F. … Read More
Harold Lee Jackson, 58, of Statesville, was sentenced to serve seven to 10 years in prison following his conviction for trafficking cocaine by possession and possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, June 1, … Read More
In recognition of National Recovery Court Month, the recovery courts from Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties participated in the fourth annual Recovery Court Kickball Tournament held at Jacobs Fork Park on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Also participating were teams from … Read More
Wilbern Carlos Springs, 50, of Claremont, was sentenced to serve 30 to 37 years in prison following his conviction for second-degree murder during Catawba County Superior Court on Friday, May 22, 2026. The Honorable Clifton H. Smith, Superior Court Judge … Read More
Marty Allen Teague, 47, of Taylorsville, was sentenced to serve seven and a half to 10 years in prison following his conviction for possession of firearm by felon, two counts of attempted trafficking methamphetamine by transport and possession, and felony … Read More
Albert Morrison Jr., 49, of Hickory, was sentenced to serve six to eight years in prison following his conviction for multiple criminal offenses and admitting his status as a habitual felon during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, May 6, … Read More
Jakeis Zameir Harris, 21, of Hickory, was sentenced to serve 20 to 25 years in prison following his conviction for second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury during Catawba … Read More
A 45-year-old Lincolnton man will serve seven to 10 years in prison following his conviction for obtaining property by false pretense, uttering a forged instrument and possession of a firearm by a felon along with admitting his habitual felon status … Read More