Caldwell County Sheriff's Office

10/27/2026

Sheriff Kevin H. Bean announced on October 19, Patrol Deputies and Narcotics Agents with the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office’s recently implemented, Targeted Response and Apprehension Program (T.R.A.P Team), Lenoir Police Department, and Alexander County Sheriff’s Office concluded an investigation with the arrest of a fentanyl trafficker.

Aaron Wolfgang Upton, age 30, of Hudson, NC was arrested and charged with multiple counts of Trafficking in Fentanyl. He was placed in the Caldwell Detention Center with a $500,000.00 secured bond.

On October 19, 2026, Upton was approached by Narcotics Agents and Patrol Deputies in his driveway upon returning from Charlotte, North Carolina where he acquired fentanyl for distribution. A search of the vehicle was conducted along with a search warrant for the residence. Officers located approximately 25.6 grams of Fentanyl in the vehicle along with multiple fi****ms. The drugs seized during the investigation have a total street value of $5,120.00 according to North Carolina State Drug Guidelines.

“The Caldwell County Detention Facility has many more vacancies for anyone wishing to distribute poison in our communities. We will leave the light on for you.”– Sheriff Kevin H. Bean

The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office is always in search of any information involving the use and distribution of illegal controlled substances. A concerned citizen’s information and assistance will be kept confidential. If you have any information concerning illegal drug activity in Caldwell County, please contact the:

Caldwell County Sheriff's Office I.C.E. Unit at 828-757-1178.
Lenoir Police Department’s Narcotics Division at 828-757-2145.
Hudson Police Department at 828-728-5021.
Granite Falls Police Department at 828-396-3358.
Caldwell County Crimestoppers at 828-758-8300.

10/26/2026

10/23/2026

On October 20, 2026, investigators with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, and Lenoir Police Department conducted an investigation that resulted in a search warrant being issued for a residence located at 2059 Fox Ridge Drive, Connelly Springs, North Carolina. The Burke County SWAT Team assisted with the ex*****on of the search warrant.
William Jason McKissack was detained during a traffic stop, and investigators subsequently executed the search warrant at the residence.
During the search, investigators seized approximately 52 grams of co***ne base, five fi****ms, numerous items of drug paraphernalia, and U.S. currency.
McKissack was arrested and charged with Felony Trafficking Co***ne, Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Co***ne, Felony Possession Co***ne, Felony Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance, Felony Possession of a Fi***rm by a Felon and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

“Collaboration at its finest, I appreciate the hard work of the Burke County Investigators and our narcotics unit to take off another dealer.” Sheriff Kevin H. Bean
NAME: WILLIAM JASON MCKISSACK
DOB: 08/08/1982
Age: 44
Address: 2059 Fox Ridge Drive, Connelly Springs
Charges:
(F) Trafficking Co***ne
(F) PWIMSD Co***ne
(F) Possession of Co***ne
(F) Maintain Veh/Dwell/Place CS
(F) Possession of Fi***rm by Felon
(M) Possess Drug Paraphernalia
Court Date: 10/22/2026
Bond: $100,000.00 Secured

10/22/2026

School Resource Officers with the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office conducted address checks at the residences of every registered s*x offender in Caldwell County over the summer months. During these checks, deputies discovered multiple violations of s*x offender registration requirements.

Sheriff Kevin Bean wants to make one thing clear: If you are a registered s*x offender and you are not living at your registered address, we are coming to find you.

Registered s*x offenders are required by law to comply with registration requirements, including keeping their residential information current. Violations will be investigated, and appropriate enforcement action will be taken.
Our message is simple: Follow the law. Keep your registration information current.
The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office will continue working to protect our children, our families, and our community.
Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Kevin H. Bean — Working to keep Caldwell County safe.

10/22/2026

Sheriff Kevin H. Bean announced on October 20, 2026 Patrol Deputies and Narcotics Agents with the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office’s recently implemented, Targeted Response and Apprehension Program (T.R.A.P. Team), Lenoir Police Department, NC SBI, and Burke County Sheriff’s Office concluded an investigation with the arrest of a fentanyl trafficker.

Michael Richard Stout, age 50, of Hudson, NC was arrested and charged with multiple counts of Trafficking in Fentanyl. He was placed in the Caldwell Detention Center with no bond.

On October 20, 2026, Stout was stopped by patrol deputies leaving an address on Parsons Rd. in Hudson, NC. During the interaction, K-9 Lesi of the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and Officers located approximately 57 grams of Fentanyl in the vehicle. The drugs seized during the investigation have a total street value of $11,400.00 according to North Carolina State Drug Guidelines.

“This investigation has spanned across multiple counties and has exposed a network leading back to locations southeast of Atlanta, Georgia. It is my goal to rid Caldwell County of dangerous drugs and with the implementation of the new T.R.A.P. team, our office is dedicated to that cause.”– Sheriff Kevin H. Bean

The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office is always in search of any information involving the use and distribution of illegal controlled substances. A concerned citizen’s information and assistance will be kept confidential. If you have any information concerning illegal drug activity in Caldwell County, please contact the:

Caldwell County Sheriff's Office I.C.E. Unit at 828-757-1178.
Lenoir Police Department’s Narcotics Division at 828-757-2145.
Hudson Police Department at 828-728-5021.
Granite Falls Police Department at 828-396-3358.
Lenoir/Caldwell County Crimestoppers at 828-758-8300.

10/18/2026

Thank you Pastor Tommy Bridges, Fellowship Baptist Church for coming by for Wednesday prayday!

10/17/2026

10/14/2026

Let's support South Caldwell High School!

Our activity has risen tremendously in the past 24 hours BUT we are now in 5th place!!

EVERYONE share. EVERYONE VOTE. And talk to your friends, family and kids 🙌🏼

Your Spartans are working on being present at upcoming events - if you are going to be at any or apart of any please let us know if you need flyers or QR codes!

This is for everyone, for our community, for the betterment of South Caldwell!

First place may seem far but look how close third is! One step at a time! Keep running Spartans!! We’ve got this!!

https://caldwellschools.info/VoteSouth

10/12/2026

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office Announces Arrest in Grandin Road Homicide Investigation**

**October 12, 2026**

The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office announces that an arrest has been made in connection with the fatal shooting that occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 10, 2026, in the 4800 block of Grandin Road in Lenoir.
Investigators have arrested a 16-year-old juvenile in connection with the incident. The shooting claimed the life of Michael Deandre Cowling Jr, 20 yrs old, who was transported by air to an area hospital after deputies located him suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. He later succumbed to his injuries.

The investigation remains active as detectives continue to gather evidence and work to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Due to the age of the individual arrested, additional identifying information is being withheld in accordance with applicable juvenile confidentiality laws.
The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone who attended the gathering or has information that could assist investigators to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office at 828-758-2324. Those wishing to provide information anonymously and potentially receive a cash reward may contact Lenoir-Caldwell Crime Stoppers at 828-758-8300
Sheriff Kevin H. Bean and the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office extend their condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.

10/10/2026

Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Homicide in Lenoir

The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred on October 10, 2026, in the 4800 block of Grandin Road in Lenoir around 1245 am.
Upon arrival, deputies located a male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. The victim was airlifted to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries but succumbed to those injuries shortly afterward.
The victim has been identified as Michael Deandre Cowling Jr., 20, of Morganton.
At this time, no arrests have been made. Detectives are actively investigating this case and are asking for the public’s assistance in gathering information.
Were you at the party? Do you have information that could help investigators?
Detectives urge anyone who attended the party or has information related to this incident to contact the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office at 828-758-2324.
Want to earn CA$H for information? Lenoir-Caldwell Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards for information that helps solve crimes. You do not have to give your name to provide information through Crime Stoppers. Call 828-758-8300.
Sheriff Kevin Bean and the staff of the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office extend their thoughts and prayers to the family and loved ones of Michael Cowling during this tragic time.
Anyone with information is encouraged to come forward. Even the smallest detail could help detectives move the investigation forward.