A Morganton man appeared in federal court in Asheville Tuesday, and pleaded guilty to 1 count of  attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries. 20-year-old Justin Sullivan will serve life in prison for the offense, which under the plea agreement, the parties have agreed that a sentence of life in prison is an appropriate sentence. According to U.S.Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose, "Sullivan admitted in court Tuesday that he attempted to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries by planning mass casualty shooting attacks on behalf of ISIL against innocent people in North Carolina and Virginia. Sullivan also admitted he had frequent and direct communications with one of ISIL's prominent leaders in Syria, who asked Sullivan to make a video of the deadly," said U.S.Attorney Rose. Sullivan is currently in federal custody.

The SBI released additional information Tuesday concerning the officer involved shooting that occurred Monday afternoon in Catawba County. According to the press release from the SBI, Catawba County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Investigators were conducting a narcotics investigation in the area of the 1100 block of 15th Street NE, Hickory, when officers came into contact with 41-year-old Irecas Rayison Valentine. During the interaction, Valentine was approached by law enforcement and Valentine attempted to flee the area in his vehicle. Then, Valentine struck and heavily damaged a patrol car. Subsequently, Valentine was shot by a Narcotics Investigator. Valentine was transported to Frye Regional Medical Center, where died from his injuries. At this time, law enforcement is not releasing the name of the Narcotics Officer pending further investigation. In December 2011, Valentine was involved in an officer involved shooting with a member of the Hickory Police Department. The incident occurred after a vehicle and foot pursuit. The Hickory officer was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing. Valentine pled guilty from the 2011 charges related to the incident, and there was not a civil action filed, according the press release from the SBI.

A search by Burke and McDowell authorities of a wanted felon's Marion home turns up a pair of firearms. McDowell officials accompanied Burke deputies to the home of 42-year-old Travis Alvalon Scott to serve him with outstanding felony warrants. During a search of Scott's residence, authorities located a handgun and shotgun. McDowell deputies then charged Scott with 2 counts of possession of a firearm by a felon.