The Burke County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help on the whereabouts of two Rutherford County men. Just after 8am Sunday, Deputies were dispatched to Canoe Creek Way in Morganton in reference to a burnt vehicle and what appeared to be human remains were discovered. Investigators learned the vehicle was a Cadillac Deville belonging to Albert Alexander Austin of Forest City, but registered to Spencer "Jermain" Murray of Forest City. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Murray or Austin is asked to call Crimestoppers at 828-437-3333 or Criminal Investigations Division at 828-438-5500. Agencies involved included Oak Hill and West End Fire & Rescue, Burke County Fire Marshall's Office, Burke County Medical Examiner, SBI, NC License & Theft Bureau, Burke County Sheriff's Office, Forest City Police Department & Rutherford County Sheriff's Office.


A Morganton man is charged with solicitation. 34-year-old Danial Carswell is charged with
soliciting a child by computer, 2nd degree exploitation of a minor, taking indecent liberties with a child, and extortion. The Burke County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division found Carswell in possession of a number of electronic items. Burke Probation and Parole had reported Carswell, a registered sex offender, was acting suspiciously when questioned about the equipment. A press release states members of the Burke Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce performed a forensic preview of Carswell's electronic items - revealing he was in possession of child pornography. Sufficient evidence was found indicating Carswell had actively solicited an underage minor for the express purpose of sexual activities. Reports state he had collected images and was in the process of extorting the victim for more sexual favors and/or photographs. Carswell was taken into custody and confined at Burke Catawba Confinement Facility under an $80,000 secured bond.