DATE: November 15, 2010

Sheriff Robert L. Holland and a total of fifteen officers from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office have now completed Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. The second CIT class at Southwestern Community College’s Jerry Sutton Public Safety Training Center in Macon County was held October 25th-29th. Other participants included officers from the Franklin Police Department, NAMI and the Southwestern Commission Area Agency on Aging.

The 40 hour class was sponsored by Smoky Mountain Center, Southwestern Community College, NAMI Appalachian South and NAMI Haywood with grants from the Town of Franklin and the Macon County Community Foundation. The presenters included clinicians from Smoky Mountain Center, Appalachian Community Services, The Western Regional Alzheimer’s Association, NAMI, Bob Scott, Dr. Lisa Verges (psychiatrist in private practice), and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.



The objectives of the training were to increase law enforcement’s knowledge about mental illness; to learn about community resources; to learn how to connect mental health clients to the appropriate resources; and to avoid incarceration and involuntary commitments when such action is appropriate.

Certificates from Southwestern Community College and Gold CIT Pins were presented to the law enforcement officers by Dr. Jim Pitts, President NAMI Western Carolina, Board Member NAMI NC and Chairman Ronnie Beale, Macon County Board of Commissioners.

Sheriff Holland states: "My own participation in this training confirmed my belief that the CIT concept is a proactive asset that can be used by law enforcement officers and detention officers when they are interacting with individuals who have mental health issues. I will continue to support CIT training and intend to send all full-time Officers employed by the Sheriff’s Office to the training as additional classes become available. I would also like to thank NAMI and Southwestern Community College for sponsoring this training."

DATE: November 2nd Update to October 25, 2010

David Wayne Ogden, age 63, of Derby Street, Franklin, NC was indicted by the Grand Jury during the November 1st term of Criminal Superior Court on the following charges:

Four counts of First Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor;
Eight counts of Third Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor;
One count of Delivering a Controlled Substance to a Minor;
One count of Taking Indecent Liberties with a Child;
One count of Sexual Servitude

Bond has been set at $220,000 and Ogden is scheduled to appear in Macon County Superior Court on January 10, 2011.

The Sheriff’s Office will not release any additional information at this time. If any citizen has any information regarding Mr. Ogden or this investigation you are requested to call the MCSO Juvenile Investigations Unit at 349-2413 or Crime Stoppers at 349-2600.

DATE: October 25, 2010

On Friday night and Saturday morning Macon County Sheriff’s Office Detectives executed a search warrant and arrested David Wayne Ogden, age 63, of Franklin. Ogden is currently charged with: two counts of First Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor; two counts of Third Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor; one Count of Delivering a Controlled Substance to a Minor; and one Count of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Bond has been set at $120,000 and Ogden is scheduled to appear in Macon County District Court on November 4th.

This is an ongoing investigation and Detectives are following up on information and evidence obtained during the execution of the search warrant on Ogden’s Derby Street residence in Franklin. Detectives are aware that Ogden has multiple accounts with social networking websites and suspect that he initiated inappropriate communication and information exchanges with local minors as well as children in other counties and states. Ogden may have also contacted children by cellular telephone, e-mail or in person.

Sheriff Holland states, "I encouraging parents to talk with their children about Mr. Ogden and to contact the Sheriff’s Office if their children confirm any contact or communication with Ogden. DO NOT ASSUME OGDEN USED HIS ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPH OR PROVIDED LEGITIMATE PERSONAL INFORMATION when he contacted children. Please review the mug shot provided with this press release if you suspect your child was contacted by Ogden in person. I feel it is also important to make the public aware that David Ogden owned and operated a local taxi service in Franklin called "David’s Shuttle Service" and may have had contact with minors in this capacity as well. I want to assure the public that Detectives will conduct a thorough investigation and will follow up on any and all reports provided by citizens."

The Sheriff’s Office will not release any additional information at this time. If any citizen has any information regarding Mr. Ogden or this investigation you are requested to call the MCSO Juvenile Investigations Unit at 349-2413 or Crime Stoppers at 349-2600.

DATE: September 28, 2010

Eight Officers from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office have now completed Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training sponsored by Smoky Mountain Center and NAMI. Two Officers previously attended a training session in Boone, NC, which is part of Smoky Mountain’s northern region. Six additional Officers completed CIT training last month at Southwestern Community College in Macon County and eight to ten officers will take the class next month.

The August class in Macon County was the first training session offered in Smoky Mountain’s southern region, which consists of the seven westernmost counties in the State. A committee with representatives from Smoky Mountain Center, NAMI, the Waynesville Police Department and Southwestern Community College began planning the training several months prior. A Sheriff’s Office employee is now participating in the planning and a second training session is scheduled at Southwestern Community College in Macon County the week of October 25th.

The objectives of CIT training are: to increase knowledge and understanding of mental health issues; learn to recognize symptoms of common psychiatric disorders; learn about community resources and develop an understanding of them; and to divert mentally ill individuals to community resources when such action is appropriate.

Sheriff Holland states: "I fully supported the CIT concept after being briefed on the benefits and that is why I designated two employees to attend a training session outside of our region last March. Because the class size is limited, I was only able to send six employees to the first class in Macon County, but I intend to send all full-time employees of the Macon County Sheriff’s Office to CIT training as classes become available."

"Student comments and evaluations of the training confirmed my belief that the CIT concept is a proactive asset that can be used by Law Enforcement Officers and Detention Officers when they are interacting with individuals who have mental health issues. I would also like to thank Smoky Mountain Center, our local NAMI representatives and Southwestern Community College for sponsoring the CIT training."

For additional information you may contact Ann Robinson, CIT Director for Smoky Mountain Center at:
Ann V. Robinson, BS, QMHP, Emergency Services Coordinator, CIT Coordinator
Smoky Mountain Center / Central Regional Office
825 North Wilkesboro Blvd. SE, Lenoir, North Carolina 28645
robinann@smokymountaincenter.com / 828-759-2160 ext.3327 / 828-759-2161 fax

DATE: September 27, 2010

Felony Guilty Pleas in Sheriff’s Office Cases on Monday the 27th:

• Sammy Lee Harris, one count of Sex Offender Registration Violation, 12 to 15 month active sentence in NC DOC;
• Kevin Rodriguez, two counts of Taking Indecent Liberties With a Child, two 21 to 26 month active sentences in NC DOC;
• Willie Eldon Watts, one count of Habitual Misdemeanor Assault, 15 to 18 month active sentence in NC DOC;
• Harley Thomas Golden, one count of Felony Larceny and one count of Habitual Felon, 80 to 105 month active sentence in NC DOC.
• You may contact the Clerk of Court or District Attorney for additional information.

DATE: September 27, 2010

On Wednesday, July 29, at approximately 4:43 a.m., Macon County Sheriff's Office Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Mountain Grove Road, Franklin, N.C. After the residence was secured, Macon County Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and determined that Keith Williams, age 49 of Franklin, was deceased.

The Sheriff's Office conducted a homicide investigation regarding the facts and circumstances that resulted in the death of Keith Williams. This was a joint investigation with the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and the District Attorney's Office. The results of the investigation were dependent upon numerous interviews, the collection of evidence and records, tests conducted on evidence and the autopsy report.

A copy of the Sheriff’s Office file with the results of the investigation has been provided to the District Attorney’s Office and any decision regarding Grand Jury proceedings will be made by the District Attorney. Requests for additional information regarding this decision should be directed to District Attorney Mike Bonfoey.

This is an open investigation and if any additional information becomes available in the future it will be reviewed by investigators. There is no additional information available from the Sheriff’s Office at this time.

DATE: September 20, 2010

Date: August 9, 2010

• three counts of Felony Breaking and Entering
• three counts of Misdemeanor Injury to Real Property
• and one count of Misdemeanor Assault.

Date: July 29, 2010

• Big D Gas Station and Convenience Store
• Pizza Hut
• J. H. Duncan Oil Company
• Mountainside Chocolates
• Sassy Shears Salon
• Nathan’s Paint and Body Shop
• Macon County Farm Bureau
• Duvall of Franklin
• Sellers Real Estate
• Doobie’s Alternative Gifts (2 separate incidents)
• and Main Street Pizzeria.

• Heller has a $40,000 secured bond and is charged with two counts each of Felon Breaking and Entering, Larceny and Possession of stolen Goods;
• Golden has a $182,000 secured bond and is charged with nine counts each of Felon Breaking and Entering, Larceny and Possession of stolen Goods, one count of being a Habitual Felon, two counts of Probation Violation, one count of Attempted Breaking and Entering, Assault on a Government Officer and Resisting a Public Officer;
• Quinn has a $105,000 secured bond and is charged with ten counts each of Felon Breaking and Entering, Larceny and Possession of stolen Goods, and one count of Attempted Breaking and Entering.

Date: July 29, 2010

Date: July 14, 2010

The Macon County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association hosted a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Secure Communities Training at Southwestern Community College’s Public Safety Training Center on Tuesday, July 13th (see attached ICE press release for additional information). Nine employees from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office attended the training along with employees from seven other Sheriff’s Offices.

Sheriff Holland states: "I fully support the Secure Communities initiative and believe it is a proactive law enforcement tool that helps identify criminal aliens who have been charged with crimes. As required by State law, the Detention Center makes an inquiry of ALL inmates in an attempt to determine whether they are legal residents of the United States and this enhanced information sharing will assist Detention Officers in complying with this requirement.

This initiative does NOT involve any type of public or workplace "roundups"; instead it targets individuals who have been charged with a crime and have prio criminal convictions and/or immigration violations. Criminal aliens that are identified as a result of this initiative have self-reported themselves to ICE and local law enforcement and should suffer the consequences of their actions.

I would like to thank Southwestern Community College for providing the facility and the NC Sheriff’s Association and ICE for providing this training."

Date: July 13, 2010

ICE launches Secure Communities strategy in eight additional North Carolina counties
Uses biometrics to prioritize immigration enforcement actions against convicted criminal aliens

CHARLOTTE, N.C.- On Tuesday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began using a new biometric information sharing capability in eight additional North Carolina counties that helps federal immigration officials identify aliens, both lawfully and unlawfully present in the United States, who are booked into local law enforcement’s custody for a crime. This capability is part of Secure Communities - ICE’s comprehensive strategy to improve and modernize the identification and removal of criminal aliens from the United States.

Previously, fingerprint-based biometric records were taken of individuals charged with a crime and booked into custody and checked for criminal history information against the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). Now, through enhanced information sharing between DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), fingerprint information submitted through the state to the FBI will be automatically checked against both the FBI criminal history records in IAFIS and the biometrics-based immigration records in DHS’s Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT).

"The Secure Communities strategy provides ICE with an effective tool to identify criminal aliens in local custody," said Secure Communities Executive Director David Venturella. "Enhancing public safety is at the core of ICE’s mission. Our goal is to use biometric information sharing to remove criminal aliens, preventing them from being released back into the community, with little or no additional burden on our law enforcement partners."

Today’s announcement includes the following eight counties: Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Macon, Madison, Swain and Yancey. With the expansion of the biometric information sharing capability to these counties, ICE is now using it in 29 North Carolina jurisdictions. Across the country, ICE is using this capability in 448 jurisdictions in 25 states. ICE expects to make it available in jurisdictions nationwide by 2013.

If any fingerprints match those of someone in the DHS biometric system, the new automated process notifies ICE. ICE evaluates each case to determine the individual's immigration status and takes appropriate enforcement action. This includes aliens who are in lawful status and those who are present without lawful authority. Once identified through fingerprint matching, ICE will respond with a priority placed on aliens convicted of the most serious offenses first - such as those with convictions for major drug offenses, murder, rape and kidnapping.

Since ICE began using this enhanced information sharing capability in October 2008, immigration officers have removed from the United States more than 8,500 criminal aliens convicted of Level 1 crimes, such as murder, rape and kidnapping. Additionally, ICE has removed more than 22,200 criminal aliens convicted of Level 2 and 3 crimes, including burglary and serious property crimes, which account for the majority of crimes committed by aliens. Already in Florida, ICE has removed more than 1,800 convicted criminal aliens. ICE does not regard aliens charged with, but not yet convicted of crimes, as "criminal aliens." Instead, a "criminal alien" is an alien convicted of a crime. In accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act, ICE continues to take action on aliens subject to removal as resources permit.

The IDENT system is maintained by DHS’s US-VISIT program and IAFIS is maintained by the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS).

"US VISIT is proud to support ICE, helping provide decision makers with comprehensive, reliable information when and where they need it," said US-VISIT Director Robert Mocny. "By enhancing the interoperability of DHS’s and the FBI’s biometric systems, we are able to give federal, state and local decision makers information that helps them better protect our communities and our nation."

"Under this plan, ICE will be utilizing FBI system enhancements that allow improved information sharing at the state and local law enforcement level based on positive identification of incarcerated criminal aliens," said Daniel D. Roberts, assistant director of the FBI’s CJIS Division. "Additionally, ICE and the FBI are working together to take advantage of the strong relationships already forged between the FBI and state and local law enforcement necessary to assist ICE in achieving its goals."

For more information, visit www.ice.gov/secure_communities

Date: June 4, 2010

The Macon County Sheriff’s Office and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation arrested six individuals as part of a joint investigation targeting prescription pills and other controlled substances. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office assisted in this investigation which began in 2009 at the conclusion of last year’s Drug Round-Up. Both investigations also included a non-criminal component that collected thousands of outdated and unused prescription pills from the public.

As a result of multiple complaints from citizens and several overdose deaths a particular residence was determined to be a priority by Sheriff Holland. A search warrant was executed on this residence, located at 15 Trimont Lake Road in Macon County, on June 4th utilizing the Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team. The U.S. DEA also assisted in the execution of search and arrest warrants at this residence.

At the request of the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office initiated a civil forfeiture proceeding in U.S. District Court involving 15 Trimont Lake Road in Macon County and the U.S. Marshals Service served the property owner, Dorothy J. Lequire with the Complaint on June 4th. For additional information regarding the civil forfeiture proceeding please contact the Public Information Officer at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The following individuals have been arrested on state charges:

Sheriff Robert L. Holland’s statement:

“This investigation confirmed my belief that we cannot allow a lack of funding to slow down our efforts in fighting drugs and other crimes associated with drugs. The Citizens of Macon County demand results and we are making every effort to provide results through proactive law enforcement initiatives. This investigation and subsequent arrests are the direct result of the hard work and dedication by the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and the other law enforcement agencies that assisted.

Unfortunately the current budget crisis resulted in the Governor’s Office eliminating a grant for the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit after five years of funding. This could have resulted in the loss of a detective position and other assets necessary to conduct these types of investigations. As I informed the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday night, I believe that illegal drugs remains the major cause of crime in Macon County and that I would not allow the existing Narcotics Unit to be eliminated or reduced. The only option available would have been to decrease other services and reassign personnel to maintain the current Narcotics Unit; however, it appears that a majority of the Board agree with my view and that the current funding level will be maintained by the County.

This investigation also provided multiple leads in other cases in Macon County, other NC counties and other states; and resulted in the seizure of other contraband including a fully automatic rifle. This is an ongoing investigation and my officers are looking for other suspects and witnesses. I am requesting that anyone with any information regarding these matters call the Sheriff’s Office at (828) 349-2104 or Crime Stoppers at (828) 349-2600 or (866) 374-8477.??

Visit the MCSO website for updated information and Mug Shots.