Madison County Sheriff's Office

08/17/2026

Statement of Appreciation

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office would like to take a moment to acknowledge and sincerely thank the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance during our latest operation.
In the midst of a busy operation, we inadvertently failed to recognize their important contribution in our initial statement. We are grateful for the guidance, experience, and personnel they provided to help make this operation successful.
Law enforcement agencies throughout Western North Carolina understand the importance of working together. The support and cooperation between our neighboring agencies strengthens our ability to protect our communities and hold those who threaten public safety accountable.

08/17/2026

Operation Defending the Future "Protecting Our Youth. Protecting Our Community"

The Sheriff’s Office has received numerous complaints from parents, citizens, and community members concerning businesses selling products that are attractive and accessible to young people. What was once difficult for children to obtain has become increasingly available, creating serious concerns about addiction, impaired judgment, and the unknown long-term effects these substances may have on a developing generation.
The Sheriff’s Office recognizes that this is a much larger issue than simply the sale of individual products. A growing industry has developed around substances designed to produce a pleasurable or intoxicating effect, with significant profits being generated from consumers who can quickly develop dependence. When our children become the target market, the consequences extend far beyond an individual purchase—they affect families, schools, public safety, and the future of our community.
For months, Madison County Sheriff’s Office investigators have been working to develop cases involving numerous sellers throughout the county. These investigations have required time, resources, and careful attention to establish violations and build cases that can withstand scrutiny.
The search warrants executed this weekend represent the first wave of enforcement efforts by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and municipalities to address the availability and sale of these products in our community. Officers from Mars Hill and Marshall, as well as a special agent with the NC SBI were present for the search warrant executions. The investigations are still ongoing with multiple related offenders. Investigators are communicating with state and federal authorities to identify all the potential co-conspirators. The following were charged.
Aaron Gosnell of Hot Springs – 9/30/1971 was charged:

Felony possession with intent to manufacture, sale, or deliver schedule I controlled substance
Felony maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substance
Felony sell/deliver a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school

Mohammed Ahmed Al Raayani of Mars Hill – 1/01/1987 was charged:

Felony possession with intent to manufacture, sale, or deliver schedule I controlled substance
Felony maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substance

More charges are forthcoming. In addition to the search warrant seizures, a stolen fi***rm was also recovered during this operation.
Sheriff Buddy Harwood and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office are committed to standing with parents and families who are concerned about the increasing accessibility of addictive and intoxicating substances. We will continue investigating businesses and individuals who violate the law and place these products within easy reach of our children.
Our children are not a market. Their health, safety, and future are worth fighting for.

08/14/2026

Madison County Sheriff’s Office Reminds Drivers: Stop for School Buses

With students returning to school on Monday, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office is reminding motorists to slow down, stay alert, and obey North Carolina’s school bus stop laws.
“Every child riding a school bus is someone’s most important person,” Sheriff Buddy Harwood said. “When that bus stops, we need every driver to stop too. A few seconds of patience could prevent a tragedy.”
When a school bus displays flashing red lights and its stop arm is extended, drivers must stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving. All roads in Madison County require a full stop in both directions except for the four lane parts of 25-70 and Hwy 19 that have a physical divider (grass).
Drivers should also remember that children may be crossing the roadway, walking to bus stops, or getting on and off buses. Slow down in school zones and residential areas, eliminate distractions, and watch carefully for children.
Parents are encouraged to remind children to:

Stay away from the roadway while waiting for the bus.
Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before approaching.
Remain seated while the bus is moving.
Look both ways before crossing the street.
Never walk behind a school bus.

“Getting where you're going a little faster isn't worth putting a child in danger,” Sheriff Harwood said. “Slow down, pay attention, and give our kids the protection they deserve.”
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office wishes all Madison County students, parents, teachers, and school staff a safe and successful school year!

08/13/2026

Madison County Sheriff’s Office Reminds Students: Think Before You Post

As students return to school, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office is reminding young people and parents that school safety includes what happens online.
Sheriff Buddy Harwood encourages families to talk about responsible social media use, especially geolocation, appropriate posting, cyberbullying, and reporting concerning behavior.
“Social media can be a great way to connect, but students need to remember that what they post can follow them long after they hit delete,” Sheriff Harwood said. “Protect your privacy, think before you post, and remember there is a real person on the other side of that screen.”
Parents should review their children’s location-sharing and privacy settings and remind them not to post their home address, school schedule, daily routine, or real-time location.
Students should:

Think before posting, commenting, or sharing.
Keep personal information and location private.
Never post threatening, inappropriate, or embarrassing content.
Treat others with respect and never participate in cyberbullying.
Remember that screenshots can preserve content even after it is deleted.
Tell a trusted adult, teacher, SRO, parent, or law enforcement officer if they see something concerning.

“See something, say something,” Sheriff Harwood said. “If you see a threat, bullying, or something that makes you uncomfortable, don't ignore it. Speaking up could help protect another student.”
Protect your privacy. Think before you post. Be kind. And if you see something concerning, say something.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office wishes all Madison County students a safe and successful school year!

08/12/2026

Back-to-School Safety Tips from Sheriff Buddy Harwood

Sheriff Buddy Harwood of Madison County hopes this school year gets off to a great start! Many parents may be nervous going into the school year, especially if their little one is attending school for the very first time. To help ease their minds, Sheriff Harwood has some practical tips and skills that parents can share with their children before they start the school year.

“Back-to-school time is exciting, but it is also a good opportunity for parents to have some important conversations with their children,” Sheriff Harwood said. “We want our students to enjoy their school year, make good memories, and come home safely every day. A few simple safety habits taught at home can make a big difference when children are away from their parents.”

Before they head off to campus, Sheriff Harwood suggests that parents check the location-sharing settings on their children’s electronic devices to make sure their location is not being shared with unwanted applications or individuals.

“Technology is a wonderful tool, but parents need to know what information their children are putting out there,” Sheriff Harwood said. “A child may not think twice about sharing their location, posting where they are, or telling strangers too much about themselves. Take a few minutes to look at those settings together and make sure your children understand that not everything needs to be shared online.”

In Madison County, we have School Resource Officers in all the public schools, not only to protect the campus but to be a resource for families. Our SROs can also help with safety tips for students and parents.

“Our School Resource Officers are there for much more than emergencies,” Sheriff Harwood added. “They are people our students can get to know, talk to, and turn to when they need help. We want our children and their families to see our SROs as trusted resources who are there to help keep our schools safe.”

Take some time to give the following tips to your children before they head off to school for the academic year:
Before starting school, young children should:

--Know the phone number of a parent or guardian.
--Know how to reach their parent or guardian at work.
--Know their home address.
--Know how to dial 911 in an emergency.

If your older child walks to school, make sure they:

--Walk with a buddy.
--Stay on sidewalks.
--Obey traffic signals and stay in designated crosswalks.

If your teenager is driving to school, make sure they:

--Wear their seatbelt.
--Never use their cell phone while driving.
--Have up-to-date insurance and registration information in their vehicle.

Children should try to avoid engaging with strangers and follow these guidelines:

--Never talk to strangers.
--Never accept a ride from someone you do not know.
--Establish a family code word. If someone claims to know your family but does not know the code, leave the situation immediately.

“Parents cannot be with their children every minute of every day, so teaching them what to do when something doesn't feel right is one of the best things we can do,” Sheriff Harwood said. “Give them the confidence to speak up, walk away, call for help, and trust their instincts. Those lessons can stay with them long after the first day of school.”

Taking the time to educate children about these situations can help ensure their safety throughout the school year and into the future. On behalf of Sheriff Harwood and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, have a fun and safe school year!

08/08/2026

The Back to School Bash was a huge success! Thanks to all volunteers and supporters.

08/08/2026

08/08/2026

Come on out to the Back to School Bash!!

Happening NOW at the fairgrounds, 258 Carolina Lane in Marshall. Free lunch and supplies! Fun for the whole family!

07/30/2026

BACK TO SCHOOL BASH 2026

📚🎉 Join us at the Madison County Fairgrounds for our Back to School Bash! 🎉📚
This is a FREE community event for the whole family!
SATURDAY, AUG. 8TH FROM 11 AM - 2 PM
We'll be giving away:

🌭 Free food
🎒 School supplies
🧴 Household supplies
💊 Over-the-counter medications

Bring the kids and enjoy a day filled with fun games, inflatables, and family-friendly community fellowship as we celebrate the start of a new school year together.
We look forward to seeing you there!