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.
William Eric Clark, 43, of Hickory, was sentenced to serve six to nine years in prison following his conviction for habitual larceny and tampering with an anti-shoplifting device along with admission of habitual felon status during Catawba County Superior Court … Read More
A Hickory man will spend 15 to 18 years in prison following his conviction for two counts of trafficking by possession and another count of attempted trafficking by possession during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, June 8, 2026. The … Read More
Allyson Kerri Peace, 24, of Vale, was sentenced to serve seven to 10 years in prison following her conviction for trafficking fentanyl by possession and conspiracy to traffick fentanyl during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. The … Read More
Gary Allen Hutchinson, 41, of Morganton, was given an active prison term of six to nine years following his conviction for multiple criminal offenses and admission of his habitual felon status during Catawba County Superior Court on Thursday, June 4, … Read More
Tyler Austin Patterson, 31, of Claremont, was sentenced to serve six to eight years in prison following his conviction for trafficking fentanyl by possession and transportation during Catawba County Superior Court on Thursday, June 4, 2026. The Honorable Athena F. … Read More
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