Gastonia Police Department

ARREST MADE IN S*X OFFENSE CASE

On June 2, 2026, officers with the Gastonia Police Department, working alongside members of the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, arrested Jarette Mathieu.

Mathieu was wanted by the Gastonia Police Department on a charge of Second-Degree Forcible S*x Offense.

This arrest highlights the value of strong partnerships between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Congratulations to Corporal Houser on being named the Gastonia Police Department’s Employee of the Month for June.

As a Criminal Investigations Detective, Cpl. Houser’s dedication, determination, and relentless work ethic have led to the successful resolution of two significant cases this month.

Through her diligence and persistence, Cpl. Houser solved and obtained charges in the China City robbery and shooting that occurred in February 2024. She also coordinated the arrest of a suspect wanted in connection with a 2018 sexual assault case, ultimately locating the individual in Kansas and bringing the case one step closer to justice.

Cpl. Houser is known for her unwavering commitment to victims and her determination to see every case through to the very end. Her professionalism, perseverance, and dedication to public safety exemplify the very best of the Gastonia Police Department.

Please join us in congratulating Cpl. Houser on this well-deserved recognition!

Congratulations to the 2026 Gastonia Municipal Academy Graduates!

Over the past several weeks, these dedicated residents invested their time to gain a deeper understanding of how the City of Gastonia serves our community. Participants explored everything from public safety and infrastructure to budgeting, community development, and city operations.

The Class of 2026 demonstrated a strong commitment to civic engagement, thoughtful discussion, and learning how local government works behind the scenes. Their enthusiasm and willingness to get involved are a testament to the bright future of our community.

Thank you to the city staff, department leaders, and volunteers who shared their expertise and helped make this year's academy a success. And to our graduates—thank you for your interest, participation, and dedication to making Gastonia an even better place to live, work, and thrive.

We look forward to seeing the positive impact you will continue to make in our city!

The Gastonia Police Department, as a proud partner of the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, assisted in the search for and apprehension of a fugitive wanted in connection with the death of a Virginia deputy sheriff.

Gastonia Police officers joined federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in the search for Michael Puckett, who was wanted following the fatal shooting of Carroll County, Virginia Deputy Sheriff Logan Utt during a welfare check.

The intensive manhunt began Friday and continued through the weekend, involving numerous agencies across state lines. On Sunday evening, Officers and Deputies located and arrested Puckett in Surry County, North Carolina, without incident. Authorities reported that Puckett was armed with a handgun at the time of his arrest.

The Gastonia Police Department remains committed to supporting the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force and our law enforcement partners in the pursuit of violent offenders through collaboration, information sharing, and coordinated operations.

Operation Spring Cleaning.

The Gastonia Police Department is proud to stand alongside our federal, state, and local partners as part of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in support of the Department of Justice’s recent press conference highlighting Operation Spring Cleaning.

This coordinated, multi-jurisdictional effort across the Western District of North Carolina and parts of South Carolina continues to show the power of strong partnerships in removing violent offenders, illegal fi****ms, and dangerous narcotics from our communities.

In just the last three months, this operation has resulted in:

* 157 fugitives apprehended
* 110 illegal fi****ms seized
* 562 pounds of drugs removed from the streets, including 50 pounds of fentanyl
* An estimated 11 million potentially fatal doses of fentanyl taken out of circulation

These results represent lives protected and violence prevented.

Gastonia Police is honored to be a committed partner in this task force, working shoulder-to-shoulder with our law enforcement partners at every level. Together, we remain focused on one mission—holding dangerous offenders accountable and keeping our communities safe.

Thank you to Governor Josh Stein and thank you to his staff for the warm welcome during our visit to Raleigh for Law Enforcement Appreciation Month (and for the photos you sent us today).

We are honored by the recognition shown to Sgt. Rowland, K-9 Bo, and the entire department. We appreciate your support of law enforcement and K-9 teams across North Carolina.

Congratulations to Gastonia Police Lieutenant J. Wood on graduating from Leadership Gaston’s Spring 2026 Class!

Leadership Gaston is a respected program that develops and connects community leaders from across Gaston County, and we are proud to see Lt. Wood represent the Gastonia Police Department among this outstanding group of professionals.

His dedication to leadership, service, and strengthening community partnerships reflects the values of our department and the City of Gastonia. Congratulations on this well-earned accomplishment!