Burke County Sheriff's Office

10/22/2026

Arrest
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

Summary:
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.

McKissack was taken before a Burke County magistrate, who set his bond at $100,000 secured. His initial court date is scheduled for October 22, 2026.


Agencies Involved:
Burke County Sheriff's Office
Burke County SWAT Team
Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office
Lenoir Police Department
Burke County EMS

10/22/2026

SCAM ALERT

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of a scam involving an individual who calls victims claiming to be a federal agent with Caldwell County. The caller reportedly speaks confidently and professionally and asks whether the victim is “just dismissing the criminal summons” they received.

In this instance, the caller used the victim’s name and spoke in a manner that made the call appear legitimate. Fortunately, the victim recognized the call as a scam. When she asked the caller to hold, the individual immediately hung up.

Please remain vigilant and use caution when receiving unexpected phone calls involving criminal summonses or legal matters. Scammers may use personal information and convincing language to gain your trust. If you receive a suspicious call, do not provide personal information or agree to make any payments. End the call and contact the appropriate law enforcement agency using an official phone number to verify the information.

10/21/2026

Meet a Deputy

Meet Deputy Montana Hall!
When asked to share a little about himself and his background, this is what he said:
“I graduated from East Burke High School in 2017 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After four years of honorable service, I decided to further my education and enrolled at Appalachian State University, where I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.
During my final semester at Appalachian State University, I completed an internship with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO). This opportunity allowed me to gain firsthand experience and observe the various roles and responsibilities within the agency. After graduating, I was hired by the BCSO and completed basic training in May 2025.
June 2027 will mark my second year serving on road patrol. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve and protect the community I call home. Outside of law enforcement, I enjoy hunting and fishing. Recently, I dedicated my life to Christ and am grateful for the blessings He has brought into my life, including a loving and supportive wife and family. Their encouragement and support have been instrumental throughout my military, educational, and law enforcement careers.”

10/21/2026

Arrest

UPDATE:

The juvenile was located at 10:30 p.m. on October 12, 2026, and safely reunited with her family.

Summary:

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a missing-juvenile case involving a 15-year-old reported missing on October 11, 2026.

The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) was assigned the investigation on October 12, 2026. Assistance was requested from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

At approximately 10:30 p.m., the juvenile was located near Mount Jackson in Shenandoah County, Virginia, along Interstate 81.

As a result of the investigation, the following individuals were taken into custody in Shenandoah County, Virginia, where they remain in custody awaiting extradition to Burke County:

Brayan Alexis Vazquez-Hernandez, date of birth June 13, 2003, was charged with Felony Kidnapping.

Guillermo Alfonso Valenzuela Saldan, date of birth May 9, 1992, was charged with Accessory After the Fact.

Booking photographs of the individuals are not currently available. Photographs may be released once the individuals have been returned to Burke County and booking photographs become available.

The investigation remains ongoing. Additional information may be released as it becomes available and as appropriate.

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the assistance of the agencies involved in locating the juvenile and furthering this investigation.

Agencies involved:
Burke County Sheriff’s Office
Federal Bureau of Investigation – Charlotte
Virginia State Police
Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office – Virginia
Federal Bureau of Investigation – Virginia

10/21/2026

Most Wanted Update

NAME: DAVID LEE BENFIELD

DOB: 02/02/1985

Age: 41

Address: 3287 NC 18-US 64, Morganton, NC

Charges:

(F) Breaking an/or Entering
(F) Larceny After Break/Enter
(F) Parole Violation

Court Date: 10/22/2026

Bond: 48-hour hold

Summary:

On October 19, 2026, deputies with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office responded to a warrant service call at 3287 NC 18-US 64 after receiving information regarding the whereabouts of David Lee Benfield.

Upon arrival, deputies were given consent to search the residence, where they encountered several individuals, including Benfield. Benfield was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Burke County Magistrate’s Office for further processing.

Benfield’s charges include Felony Breaking and/or Entering, Felony Larceny After Break and/or Entering and Felony Parole Violation.

Benfield received a 48-hour hold and a court date of October 22, 2026.

Benfield has been on the Most Wanted list since September 24, 2026.

Agencies Involved:
Burke County Sheriff's Office

10/21/2026

Jessie James Goin

BURKE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE MOST WANTED

The following individual currently has outstanding warrants in Burke County and has not been located by law enforcement officers.

Anyone with information as to their whereabouts is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office (828) 438-5500 or [email protected].

Date of Birth: 10/31/1978

Charges:

(F) Fail to Report New Address - S*x Offender

Last Known Address: Homeless, Burke County

Dated Posted: 10/21/2026

10/20/2026

Most Wanted Arrest

NAME: WALTER ANTONIO HERNANDEZ-GARCIA

DOB: 11/24/1990

Age: 35

Address: 113 11th ST NE, Hildebran, NC

Charges:

(F) Statutory S*x Offense with Child

10/19/2026

Completion of Field Training

Congratulations to Deputy Michael Morga for completing Field Training!

The Burke County Sheriff's Office field training program is a structured, on-the-job training process designed to transition newly hired deputies from the classroom to active solo patrol. Typically conducted after basic law enforcement training or BLET, the program pairs deputy trainees with experienced and certified Field Training Officers (FTOs) over a 14 – 16 week period. At which time, the FTO will mentor and evaluate the trainee in real-world scenarios. Over the length of the program, deputy trainees develop practical skills in areas such as patrol procedures, report writing, communication, and decision-making. The program ensures that deputies are prepared to perform independently while upholding departmental policy, state law and public safety.

We’re proud to have you as a part of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office!

10/16/2026

10/15/2026

Arrest

NAME: JAMES CHARLIE PARKER II

DOB: 08/18/1978

Age: 48

Address: 5430 Country Valley Rd., Hickory, NC

Charges:

Failure to Appear on All Charges
(F) Assault Physical Injury on Emergency Person (3 counts)
(M) Assault on a Female (2 counts)
(M) Simple Assault


Court Date: 10/26/2026

Bond: $10,000.00 Secured

Summary:

On October 15, 2026, deputies with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the area of 4386 Henry River Road in reference to a suspicious person. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with James Charlie Parker II and learned that he had multiple outstanding warrants. Parker was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Burke County Magistrate’s Office, where he was served with outstanding Failure to Appear warrants related to charges in Burke County.

Parker’s Failure to Appear charges in Burke County include 3 charges of Felony Assault Physical Injury on Emergency Person, 2 counts of Assault on a Female and Misdemeanor Simple Assault.

Parker received a $10,000 secured bond for all charges and a court date of October 26, 2026.

Parker was on the most wanted list for one day.

Agencies Involved:
Burke County Sheriff's Office