According to SBI Public Information Director Anjanette Grube, the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys requested the agency investigate allegations that Spencer fraudulently obtained improper compensation during her time as an elected official. They now await sentencing in federal court, and Creighton and Greene have since reached financial settlements with Buncombein civil suits. CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. Police have arrested the Catawba County Register of Deeds for embezzlement, Channel 9 learned on Tuesday. 62 years as a barber in Hickory: Clemons shares advice he received, love of pintos and cabbage, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Granite Falls driver headed to NHRA Gatornationals, Catawba County Sheriff's Office seeks suspect in robbery of Newton convenience store, Startown Elementary, Maiden Middle win state archery titles, Thursday's area basketball playoff scores (2nd round), Fifth teen now charged as an adult in fatal shooting at Blue Ridge Heights, Hickory man sentenced to 50 years on child pornography charges, Lenoir man convicted on drug trafficking charges, Toilet paper identified as major 'forever chemical ' polluter in wastewater, Jury visits crime scene in Murdaugh murder trial, Wave of poison attacks on schoolgirls across Iran is raising alarms, Bakhmut battle intensifies as Russia bears down on Ukrainian city. She's remained in her elected position since December 2004. CATAWBA CO., N.C. Police say Catawba County Register of Deeds Donna Hicks Spencer was arrested for embezzlement on Tuesday. CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. Former CatawbaCounty Sheriff's Office Capt. The following is a list of 19 other individuals indicted: Teresa Leann Riffle, 36, of Rosehill Drive in Lincolnton was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. - A former captain with the Catawba County Sheriff's Office is facing multiple criminal charges after being indicted following a months-long state investigation. She didnt say a word after posting bond and walking out of the county jail with her attorney at her side. The Catawba County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help in finding a suspect in the armed robbery of a convenience store in Newton. You can cancel at any time. Catawba County lawyer Daniel Ray Green, 64, appeared in court August 5, 2019 after being indicted on two felony and two misdemeanor charges after police say he committed a first-degree statutory . 62 years as a barber in Hickory: Clemons shares advice he received, love of pintos and cabbage, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Granite Falls driver headed to NHRA Gatornationals, Catawba County Sheriff's Office seeks suspect in robbery of Newton convenience store, Startown Elementary, Maiden Middle win state archery titles, Thursday's area basketball playoff scores (2nd round), Fifth teen now charged as an adult in fatal shooting at Blue Ridge Heights, Hickory man sentenced to 50 years on child pornography charges, Lenoir man convicted on drug trafficking charges, Toilet paper identified as major 'forever chemical ' polluter in wastewater, TikTok influencer with 3.9 million followers weighs in on US government ban, Jury visits crime scene in Murdaugh murder trial, Wave of poison attacks on schoolgirls across Iran is raising alarms. On Monday, December 6th, a Catawba County grand jury indicted Spencer on one count of embezzlement by a local or charitable officer, two counts of obtaining property by false pretenses, and one county of register of deeds failing to discharge duty. Eric Theodore Flynn, 48, of Newton was charged with possession of methamphetamine. But her request to speak with relatives was denied. The Catawba County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help in finding a suspect in the armed robbery of a convenience store in Newton. During the operation officers seized methamphetamine, heroin, opioids and marijuana, according to a press release from the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office. An incident on Jan. 14 led to charges of trafficking by possession, by sale and by delivery, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, and possession with intent to sell and deliver Xanax and sell and delivery of Xanax. Undercover narcotics operation leads to indictments of 21 Individuals, two from Catawba County. Fred Christian Smith, 44, of Iron Station is charged with two felony counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine and sell and delivery of methamphetamine. The charges come following an investigation after an ex-girlfriend claimed he had stalked her. Court appearance for Catawba County Register of Deeds on embezzlement charges pushed to March, N.C. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Damario Leshaun Rousseau will be tried as an adult in the shooting death of 35-year-old Shonniel Blackburn in Hickory. Catawba Co. Register of Deeds Donna Hicks Spencer is facing an embezzlement charge after a grand jury indictment per @SBI1937 The state started investigating allegations in 2020 that Spencer. According to the countys website, Spencer has served as Register of Deeds since December 2004. The Citizen Times wasunable to reach Edwards. Buncombe County wants records from ex-contractor Joe Wiseman. The three reportedly worked with others to distribute largeamounts of cocaine and crack cocaine. He wants $25,000. Reid is scheduled to be back in court July 23. Donna Hicks Spencer turned herself in on a Tuesday morning in Dec. 2021 to the Catawba County jail. Lisa Shawntae Black, 44, of Confederate Road in Lincolnton was charged with possession of methamphetamine. Breaking Lincoln County- Former Catawba Sheriff Candidate Jason Reid indicted on felony and misdemeanor charges. "This entire situation is a political attack," Reid said before the election. Updated: May. It includes the cities of Hickory and Newton, and has a population of about 158,000, according to census data. Craig Gerard Kempinski, 48, of Lincolnton was charged during three separate incidents. Former Catawba County Sheriff's captain appears in court on several charges Former Catawba County Sheriff's captain appears in court on several charges. The indictments claim she fraudulently reported overtime and comp time hours while she was not working. Spencer has been charged with embezzlement, two counts of obtaining property by false pretenses and failing to discharge the duty of Register of Deeds. Please subscribe to keep reading. Wiseman's signature is on a $115,000 contract in December 2012 between the county and CDM for professional engineering services for a landfill system. Instead, county attorney Debra Bechtel responded. Michael Welborn, 47, of Kings Mountain was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia. Channel 9s Dave Faherty was the only local TV reporter there as Spencer was released from jail. catawba county sheriffs office: felony disseminate obscenity to minor under 13: 4/17/2023: 22 cr 276143-170 : catawba county sheriffs office: possessing obscenity with intent to disseminate : 22 cr 276143-170 : catawba county sheriffs office: disseminate obscenity to a minor under 13: 4/17/2023: 22 cr 276960-170 : catawba county sheriffs office Colby Ray Williams, 36, of Flay Road in Lincolnton was charged with possession of methamphetamine. Investigators are continuing to search for missing 37-year-old Alison Thomas. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The other individuals who were indicted are Dametrious Justin Jamal Reeves, 33, of Lincolnton, Justin Devone Farley, 33, of Lincolnton, Andrian Kion Mack, 29, of Lincolnton, Terry Allen Tucker, 54, of Lincolnton, John William Dawkins, 37, of Gastonia, Donna Anderson, 49, of Lincolnton, Doneal Jeffery Gillespie, 37, of Lincolnton, Brandi K. Robinson, 44, of Lincolnton, Michael Gregory Poteat, 61, of Morganton and Garry Lee Forney Jr. of Lincolnton, the release said. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. The indictment also states that Reid repeatedly contacted his ex-girlfriend and sent her messages detailing her location when she did not know how he knew where she was. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. An engineer tied to a contracts-for-kickbacks scheme in Buncombe also did landfill and financial work in Catawba County. All rights reserved. Please subscribe to keep reading. Neither immediately responded to a request for comment Friday. WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), 13-year-old girl killed in crash involving tractor-trailer on I-485 in west Charlotte, police say, Shanquella Robinson case needing high-level diplomatic intervention, attorney says, Man in Charlotte wins $1 million off $25 scratch-off, York County teens hospitalized after pursuit ends in crash, Super-rare Jurassic-era bug discovered during Walmart shopping trip, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. Spencer is also accused of purchasing office supplies and converting those funds and supplies for her own use. At one point, Reid said the womanvisited him at work and waited in an area where the narcotics tracking devises were openly kept. Those arrested were placed in the Catawba County Detention Center. NEWTON There is currently a reward being offered in Catawba County for bounty hunting gardeners who are willing to seek and destroy foul sme, Two people suffered serious injuries in a three-car crash at the intersection of Lenoir-Rhyne Blvd. Charges range from possession with intent to sell and deliver to sale, deliver and trafficking in narcotics. While three former Buncombe County managers have pleaded guilty to corruption charges, Wiseman has not been charged. Two firearms were also seized during the operation. All rights reserved. 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. A federal grand jury indictment handed up in August accused Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene and her assistant managers Mandy Stone and Jon Creighton of taking vacations, meals, wine, game. The investigation began in October 2012, targeting individuals who participated in illegal drug transactions and gun trafficking in and around Hickory. 2023 www.citizen-times.com. Lineberger was arrested on two counts of sale and deliver crack cocaine and two counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver crack cocaine, the release said. Man died Wednesday. Read more top trending stories onwsoctv.com: 2023 Cox Media Group. Elbert James Walton, 70, of Hickory . CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - The Catawba County Register of Deed was expected to appear in court Tuesday on charges of embezzlement as an elected official. Detectives said Donna Spencer stole more than $100,000 from. 62 years as a barber in Hickory: Clemons shares advice he received, love of pintos and cabbage, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Granite Falls driver headed to NHRA Gatornationals, Catawba County Sheriff's Office seeks suspect in robbery of Newton convenience store, Startown Elementary, Maiden Middle win state archery titles, Thursday's area basketball playoff scores (2nd round), Fifth teen now charged as an adult in fatal shooting at Blue Ridge Heights, Toilet paper identified as major 'forever chemical ' polluter in wastewater, Jury visits crime scene in Murdaugh murder trial, Wave of poison attacks on schoolgirls across Iran is raising alarms, Bakhmut battle intensifies as Russia bears down on Ukrainian city. and Tate Blvd. The indictment follows an investigation into allegations that Donna Hicks Spencer fraudulently obtained improper compensation during her time as an elected official. A 16-month undercover operation by the narcotics division of the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office led to indictments on 21 people, including two with ties to Catawba County. The investigation into this case is active and ongoing. "The recordsspeak for themselves, and there isn'tanything else I can add," Bechtel said Friday. A Lenoir man was found guilty on drug trafficking and firearms charges during U.S. District Court in Statesville on Thursday. Spencers arraignment was scheduled for 9:40 a.m. Feb. 8. Former Catawba County utilities director sentenced for bribery conviction Barry Edwards, 66, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison after being found guilty of accepting bribes from 2012 . Crystal Hill walks out of Tuesday's sit-down interview, WBTV Investigates: Monday's unscheduled interview with Dr. Catawba County Register of Deeds Donna Hicks Spencer is facing an embezzlement charge following a grand jury indictment, according to the State Bureau of Investigation.An SBI spokesperson confirmed Spencer was indicted Monday on charges of one count of embezzlement by a local or charitable officer, two counts of obtaining property by false pretenses and one count of the register of deeds failing to discharge duty.https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/catawba-county-register-of-deeds-indicted-for-embezzlement/275-27138ea9-b41f-4e56-b537-32b40f0e0b19 Brandi Nichole Hardin, 34, of Stanley was indicted on two counts each of possession with intent to sell and deliver oxycodone, sell and deliver oxycodone, and maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance. You can cancel at any time. login . A new court date was set for Nov. 4. Wiseman has denied prosecutors accusations and has alleged $25,000 in damages caused by Buncombe. Shes locked up in the jail under a 9900 dollar bond. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Wanda Greene's plea deal was accepted. Neither Catawba County Manager Mick Berry nor Board of Commissioners Chairman Randy Isenhower responded to questions from the Citizen Times regarding whether officials have reviewed their business relationship with Wiseman, or whether they've been contacted by federal investigators. She said Catawba has no active contracts with Wiseman but declined to say whether the county has found any improper relationships between any officials and Wiseman. Buncombe County wants records from ex-contractor Joe Wiseman. Despite the allegations, Reid said during his campaign that he would stay in the race,calling the accusations a political ploy. Reid didnt answer any of Channel 9s questions as he walked into the Lincoln County Courthouse on Friday. She was also indicted for trafficking by transportation and by possession and trafficking by sell and by delivery. Naeem Ali Mungro, Gevon Marquise King and Jaron Monte Cornwell headed the organization, according to police. A Lenoir man was found guilty on drug trafficking and firearms charges during U.S. District Court in Statesville on Thursday. Related: Catawba County Register of Deeds charged with embezzlement as elected official. He is one of six males . Twelve people, including two Catawba County residents, were indicted by a Lincoln County grand jury on drug charges in May. Catawba also worked with Petra Engineering, a Huntersville-based firm that was identified by prosecutors as another previously employer of Wiseman. Two of the 22 people indicted are still being sought. Detectives said Donna Spencer stole more than $100,000 from the county. [Reid defeated in Catawba County sheriff's race amid stalking allegations]. 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