Jackson County Sheriff's Office NC

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

06/04/2026

On June 2, 2026, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) Criminal Suppression Unit (CSU), along with deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, conducted an investigation involving a suspicious vehicle in the Sylva area.

As a result of the investigation, deputies located and seized approximately 6.52 grams
of suspected fentanyl.

Natasha Kirkland was arrested and charged with:
• Trafficking Fentanyl by Possession
• Trafficking Fentanyl by Transportation
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Kirkland was issued no bond and remains in custody pending court proceedings.

Sheriff Doug Farmer stated, "The Jackson County Sheriff's Office remains committed to aggressively targeting the distribution of fentanyl in our community. Every trafficking
arrest represents another step toward keeping these dangerous narcotics off our streets and protecting the citizens of Jackson County".

05/27/2026

Real estate and rental scams. Real estate rental scams occur when fraudsters pose as landlords or property managers, using fake or hijacked listings to steal your deposit, first month's rent, or identity. Scammers frequently demand upfront digital payments and disappear, leaving victims with no keys and no money.

How do these Scams Work.

Hijacked Listings: Scammers copy photos and descriptions of actual properties listed for sale or rent, then repost them at a lower price on sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or even legitimate real estate platforms.

The "Out of Town" Excuse: The fake landlord claims they are out of the country, traveling, or unable to meet in person to show the property, rushing you to make quick decision.

Fake Paperwork: Fraudsters may create fake leases, applications, or "escrow" documents to appear legitimate.

Prices That Are Too Good:

The rent is noticeably lower than comparable properties in the neighborhood.

No In-Person Tour: The "landlord" makes excuses as to why you cannot see the inside of the property.

Unusual Payment Demands: They request payment via wire transfer, cash app (Venmo/Zelle), cryptocurrency, or gift cards. No Background Check: The "landlord" is suspiciously eager to rent to you without checking your credit or references.

How to Protect Yourself

Verify Ownership: Cross-reference the address and the name of the owner/property management company on public county records.

Never Pay Upfront: Avoid paying a security deposit or first month's rent before touring the property in person and signing a lease. Meet Locally:

Conduct transactions using traceable, secure methods like ACH bank transfers, credit/debit cards, or official checks. Report Suspicious Ads:

If you find a fake listing on a portal, report it to the platform. If you've been a victim, contact your bank and file a police report or reach out to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

05/22/2026

⚠️ Updated Weather Briefing – 5:30 PM ⚠️

The latest update from the National Weather Service continues to highlight southern Jackson County as an area of higher concern for heavy rainfall and localized flooding through the Memorial Day weekend.

Key updates:
• Multiple rounds of rain are expected through Monday
• Heaviest rainfall potential remains during afternoon and evening hours and could contain hail up to 3/4 of and inch
• Localized flash flooding and strong thunderstorms remain possible

Please continue to stay weather aware and monitor official forecasts throughout the weekend

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⚠️ Memorial Day Weekend Flood Concerns for Jackson County ⚠️

The National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg is highlighting portions of the western Carolinas for an increased flood threat through the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Of particular concern, southern Jackson County is included in an “area of highest concern” for excessive rainfall and localized flooding potential.

Forecasts indicate:
• Multiple rounds of heavy rain from Friday through Monday
• Periods of thunderstorms capable of producing intense rainfall rates
• Localized flash flooding, especially in low-lying, poor drainage, and mountain areas
• Potential for rapidly changing conditions near creeks, streams, and roadways

While some rainfall will help ongoing drought conditions, repeated rounds of rain may quickly overwhelm dry soils and create runoff issues over time.

Jackson County Emergency Management encourages residents and visitors to:
• Stay weather aware throughout the holiday weekend
• Monitor forecasts and alerts from trusted sources
• Avoid driving through flooded roadways — Turn Around, Don’t Drown
• Use extra caution while camping, boating, hiking, or traveling in southern portions of the county
• Have multiple ways to receive warnings, including Wireless Emergency Alerts and CodeRED notifications

We will continue to monitor conditions closely and share updates as needed.

05/22/2026

The Administrative Offices of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office will be closed on Monday May 25th for Memorial Day.
Our Office will re-open on Tuesday May 26th at 8:00 a.m. If you need to speak with an Officer, you may contact the Communications Center at 828-586-1911.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office wishes everyone a Safe, Happy & Blessed Memorial Day!!

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

On May 18th, 2026, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Criminal Suppression Unit, in coordination
with the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Criminal Suppression Unit, conducted a traffic stop in the
Cullowhee Community after observing multiple traffic violations.

During the stop, K9 Ziva was deployed and alerted to the presence of narcotics. Deputies conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle.

As a result of the search, deputies located and seized approximately 457.4 grams of suspected Methamphetamine, 145 grams of suspected co***ne, and $233 in U.S. currency.

Robert Owen Wallace was arrested and charged with the following:

Trafficking in Methamphetamine by transportation
Trafficking in Methamphetamine by possession
Trafficking in Co***ne by transportation
Trafficking in Co***ne by possession
PWIMSD Methamphetamine
PWIMSD Co***ne
Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of Co***ne
Maintain a Vehicle CS

“This case highlights the strong teamwork between the Jackson County and Haywood County Criminal Suppression Units. Traffickers continue attempting to move large quantities of narcotics through our communities, and our investigators remain committed to stopping them. If you bring drugs into Jackson County, there is a strong chance you will be caught.”
-Sheriff Farmer

05/18/2026

On April 23, 2026, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report regarding a stolen golf cart taken from the High Hampton Human Resources building.

Detectives with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office obtained video surveillance footage from the Human Resources building, which depicted a male subject removing the golf cart from the property.

Through the course of the investigation, Detectives identified the subject as Maverick Hernandez of Cashiers, North Carolina.

Further investigation led Detectives to obtain additional video footage from the surrounding area, which showed Mr. Hernandez using a trailer to transport the golf cart away from the scene.

As a result of the investigation, warrants were obtained charging Mr. Hernandez with Felony Larceny and Possession of Stolen Goods/Property (Felony).

Following Mr. Hernandez’s arrest on the outstanding warrants, Detectives learned that he had sold the stolen golf cart for an undisclosed amount of money.

The golf cart was located and returned to the owner. Based on this information, Mr. Hernandez was subsequently charged with Obtaining Property by False Pretenses (F).

We would like to thank the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office in their help with this investigation.

Maverick Bruce Hernandez:
Felony Larceny
Possession Stolen Property (F)
Obtaining Property by False Pretense (F)