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.


Ceremony Recognizes Graduates Of Veterans’ Treatment Court

The Catawba County Veterans’ Treatment Court (VTC) motto is “Victory Earned Together.” That motto was carried out during a ceremony honoring the first three graduates of the program on Friday, March 3, 2023, at the Catawba County Courthouse. The ceremony … Read More

Burglary Conviction Leads To Prison Time for Hickory Man

A Hickory man was sentenced to an active prison term of six to nearly nine years following his guilty plea in Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, February 27, 2023. The Honorable Gregory R. Hayes, Superior Court Judge from Catawba … Read More

Conover Man Pleads Guilty To Trafficking Opiates

Jonathan Lynn Sorrels, 35, of Conover, will serve an active prison sentence of nearly six to eight years following his conviction for trafficking opiates during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. The Honorable Nathaniel J. Poovey, Superior … Read More

Hickory Woman Enters Plea For Multiple Drug Offenses

Angela Deneice James, 43, of Hickory, will serve an active prison sentence of almost seven to 10 years following her conviction for multiple drug offenses during Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. The Honorable Nathaniel J. Poovey, … Read More

Posada Sworn In As New ADA In Catawba County

Jose Posada, right, was sworn in as the newest assistant district attorney for the 36th Prosecutorial District by District Court Judge Mark Killian on Monday, January 30, 2023. Originally from Charlotte, Posada graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of … Read More

Gould Named New Chief For Catawba County DA’s Office

36th Prosecutorial District Attorney Scott Reilly, left, has named Timothy Gould, right, as the new chief prosecutor for the Catawba County DA’s Office. Gould takes over the position vacated when former Chief ADA Lance Sigmon retired at the end of … Read More

Catawba Adds New But Familiar Assistant District Attorney

Stephanie Renzelman was sworn in as the newest Assistant District Attorney for the 36th Prosecutorial District during a special ceremony Monday, January 9, 2023, by the Honorable Wes Barkley, District Court Judge from Catawba County. Renzelman will be in her … Read More