Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Teams Up with BCHP to Catch Fugitive

Murphy, NC— Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced on February 27th, 2015 arrest of Howard William Pressley, a 33 year old Robbinsville North Carolina man on numerous warrants for arrest including charges of Safe Cracking, Fail To Notify DMV of Address Change, Failure to Appear on Misdemeanor, Fail to Wear Seatbelt, Reckless Driving to Endanger, Speeding, Flee/Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle, and No Operators License.

An off duty Cherokee County Deputy Sheriff had observed Pressley at a store in the Marble Community of Cherokee County. Pressley had been avoiding law enforcement for months and had been frequenting a residence suspected of illegally selling controlled substances. Deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office were already responding to another incident in the Topton Community of Cherokee County when the deputy observed Pressley at the store. The deputy was able to contact a couple of North Carolina Highway Patrol Units in the vicinity and provided identifying information that allowed the Troopers to stop and arrest Pressley on the outstanding warrants along with a civil order for arrest for unpaid child support.

Pressley is currently in the Cherokee County Detention Center awaiting a March 17th, 2015 Cherokee County District Court date.

Sheriff Palmer stated “We appreciate the assistance of the North Carolina State Patrol in helping arrest Pressley. We continue to partner with other agencies to help keep Cherokee County safe. Not only was Pressley running from charges but he wasn’t keeping up his parental obligations as well.”

Sheriff Palmer encourages any one that has information to report it. To report crime in Cherokee County you can call the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.