Cherokee NC SO Press Releases

Below are 2 PR from the Cherokee NC Sheriff’s Office:ABSCONDING SEX OFFENDER ARRESTED

Murphy, NC— Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the April 26th, 2015 arrest of Ricky Leroy Leistra for violations of the Sex Offender registry and possession of controlled substances.

On or about April 26th, 2015 during the afternoon hours, members of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Division and the Andrews Police Department worked cooperatively on information that Leistra was travelling in a vehicle in and around the Town of Andrews. Additionally there was information that Leistra was in possession of Heroin a Schedule I controlled substance.

Leistra was observed in a vehicle on Fairview Road and the vehicle was stopped in a church parking lot. During a search incident to the arrest of Leistra several tablets of Heroin were found and seized.

Leistra was transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center by Andrews where he was placed under a $20,000.00 secure bond. Leistra is expected to be in Cherokee County District Court May 05, 2015.

On or about May 17th, 1999, Leistra entered a guilty plea in Cherokee County Superior Court to Indecent Liberties with a Child. North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 14-208.5 requires that individuals that are convicted of certain offenses to register with the Sheriff of the county in which they live. Indecent Liberties with a child NCGS 14-202.1 is an offense requiring the individual to be required to register with the Sheriff of the county in which he or she resides.

Court Records indicate that Leistra has at least two previous convictions for violations of the Sex Offender Registry.

Sheriff Palmer stated “We continue in our firm stance to ensure the safety of our community. This is a prime example why we stringently monitor our sex offender registry. During the time that Leistra was unaccounted for he became a person of interest in several reported crimes. We are glad to have partnered with Andrews Police Department not only in bringing Leistra to justice but getting a very dangerous drug off the street. The safety of our citizens is of paramount importance especially our young ones.”

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.

TENNESSEE MAN ARRESTED FOR FIGHTING AND INJURYING DEPUTIES

Murphy, NC— Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the April 25th, 2015 arrest of Eldon Ray Ferrell, a Davidson County Tennessee construction worker for assaulting and injuring two Cherokee County Deputies during his arrest.

On or about April 25th, 2015 during the evening hours a call for assistance was made to the Cherokee County Communication Center. The nature of the call was that Ferrell was intoxicated and disruptive as well as driving intoxicated.

Shortly after the call the responding Deputy Sheriff located Ferrell who was extremely intoxicated. While the Deputy was detaining Ferrell he became combative attempting to flee. A struggle ensued at which time Ferrell scratched and choked the deputy causing injuries. As additional law enforcement personnel arrived Ferrell continued fighting and resisting at which time an additional Deputy Sheriff received a cut to his hand during the struggle. Ferrell was finally restrained after the initial responding Deputy Sheriff utilized a taser.

Ferrell was transported to Murphy Medical Center where he refused to be treated.

Ferrell was transported to the Cherokee County Detention where he was charged with two felony counts of Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer. Ferrell was set a $5,000.00 unsecure bond by the North Carolina Magistrate. Ferrell was later released and is expected to be in Cherokee County District Court May 05, 2015.

Sheriff Palmer stated “I want to thank the Murphy Police Department who responded to this very dangerous situation. Fortunately none of the injuries received by either of the deputies are life threatening. Mr. Ferrell left the responding deputy little choice to use his taser since Ferrell continued to fight, scratch and choke the deputy as well as outweighing the deputy by over 100 pounds. We encourage people to come, work and stay in Cherokee County but we ask that they behave themselves and do as we ask.”

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.