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.


Defendant Alan Logan

Habitual Felon Sentenced to 7-10 Years for Robbery

Alan Lamonte Logan, 56, of Conover, was given an active prison sentence of seven to 10 years following his conviction for common law robbery, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and admission of his status as a habitual felon. The … Read More

Defendant James Thacker

Defendant Given 21+ Years in 2nd-Degree Murder Case

James Willard Thacker, 35, of Hickory, was convicted of second-degree murder during Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, and will spend at least 21 years in prison. The Honorable Karen Eady-Williams, Superior Court Judge from Mecklenburg County, … Read More

Defendant Craig Patterson

Habitual Larceny Offenses Lead To Prison Term For Hickory Man

Craig Jarvis Patterson, 49, of Hickory, will spend seven to 10 years in prison following his conviction for five counts of habitual larceny and admission of habitual felon status. The Honorable Karen Eady-Williams, Superior Court Judge from Mecklenburg County, imposed … Read More

Defendant Chad Smith

Catawba Jury Finds Man Guilty Of Drug Offenses

Chad Lee Smith, 44, of Hickory, was found guilty as charged by a Catawba County jury last week and given an active prison term. The 12-member jury rendered its verdict on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, to conclude a three-day trial. … Read More

Defendant Skyler Obrien

Caldwell Man Pleads Guilty To Trafficking Methamphetamine

Skyler Lee Obrien, 32, of Granite Falls, will spend six to eight years in prison following his conviction for trafficking methamphetamine by possession during Caldwell County Superior Court on Monday, August 5, 2019. The Honorable Daniel A. Kuehnert, Superior Court … Read More

Defendant Tykevious Thomas

Bond Revoked For Shooting Suspect In Burke County

Bond was revoked for a Vale man charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury in Burke County. Tykevious Owan Thomas, 27, was given a $500,000 secured bond for allegedly shooting … Read More

DA Reilly Speaks at Event

DA Supports Charters of Freedom In Caldwell County

District Attorney Scott Reilly was one of the featured speakers for the dedication ceremony of the Charters of Freedom in the City of Lenoir that took place on July 3, 2019. Reilly, the elected DA for the 36th Prosecutorial District … Read More

Defendant Icey Gooden

Woman Sentenced to 25+ Years for 2nd Degree Murders

On Friday, March 8, 2019, Icey Chennell Gooden, 28, entered a guilty plea to two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of first-degree kidnapping in Burke County Superior Court in relation … Read More