Swain County Sheriff Arrested on Multiple Charges

On Friday, law enforcement took a 72-year-old sheriff from Western North Carolina into custody on various charges, including sexual battery and corruption, immediately suspending him from his position.

Curtis Cochran, who served as the Swain County Sheriff, faced criminal allegations following an investigation led by Kirkland, the deputy director of the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation. A Facebook post detailed these developments.

According to officials, Cochran is charged with four state offenses, which include felony suppression, assaults on women, sexual battery, and solicitation to engage in prostitution. Additionally, he is dealing with three charges at the tribal level.

Local residents expressed shock over the situation. “I was really taken aback by this news. It’s just not something I ever expected,” commented Patty Griffith, a Swain County resident.

Kirkland addressed the community, acknowledging that this arrest would significantly impact the services provided by the Swain County Sheriff’s Office.

Cochran’s charges are being handled in both Cherokee Court and Swain County State Court, relating to alleged crimes involving tribal land under state and tribal statutes.

Two women are identified as victims in this case. One is a member of the Eastern Cherokee Indian Band, while the other is not. Reports indicate that one of the victims claimed Cochran sexually assaulted her on June 22 at a specific boundary.

The Superior Court, upon request from the tribal authority, enforced an immediate suspension of Cochran. This ruling was influenced by a petition filed along with three supporting affidavits, which argued that Cochran could misuse his authority for personal gain.

Allegations include inappropriate conduct involving Cochran’s patrol vehicle, wherein he reportedly pressured one victim into unwanted sexual acts, offering help in exchange for compliance. After she refused, he allegedly returned to her residence and engaged in inappropriate behavior.

The second woman described Cochran as a “sick, perverted old man,” stating that he inappropriately touched her after picking her up post-release from police custody.

Details emerged that after an encounter where Cochran was seen in pursuit of the recently released woman, law enforcement had to intervene until the situation was resolved.