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.


Sexual Assault Plea Leads To Active Prison Term

Caleb Matthew Hale, 27, of Denver, N.C., will serve an active prison sentence of 12 to 19 years following his conviction for attempted statutory rape of a child younger than 15 during Catawba County Superior Court on Tuesday, May 30, … Read More

Habitual Felon Status Enhances Sentence For Charlotte Man

Nafife Morris Jainlett, 37, of Charlotte, will serve an active prison term of 10 to 13 years following his conviction for breaking and entering, larceny after breaking/entering, and admission of habitual felon status during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, … Read More

Ceremony Recognizes Graduates Of Veterans’ Treatment Court

The Catawba County Veterans’ Treatment Court (VTC) motto is “Victory Earned Together.” That motto was carried out during a ceremony honoring the first three graduates of the program on Friday, March 3, 2023, at the Catawba County Courthouse. The ceremony … Read More

Burglary Conviction Leads To Prison Time for Hickory Man

A Hickory man was sentenced to an active prison term of six to nearly nine years following his guilty plea in Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, February 27, 2023. The Honorable Gregory R. Hayes, Superior Court Judge from Catawba … Read More

Conover Man Pleads Guilty To Trafficking Opiates

Jonathan Lynn Sorrels, 35, of Conover, will serve an active prison sentence of nearly six to eight years following his conviction for trafficking opiates during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. The Honorable Nathaniel J. Poovey, Superior … Read More