Wednesday, August 28, 2019


Following the indictment of a Boone man on child pornography charges, Boone Police and the US Attorney’s Office are looking to identify more possible victims – that according to a press release issued by the Western Carolina District of the US Attorney’s Office.

A federal grand jury Monday returned a 21-count superseding indictment against 23-year-old Frank Cromwell.

The release states officials have identified 10 victims so far.

Documents say Cromwell met some of his victims through his Appalachian State University internship as an athletic trainer at Watauga High School.

He is accused of using a cell phone app and other means by posing as a female to mislead juvenile male victims to produce and send him explicit images and videos of themselves.

Cromwell faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a maximum 250-thousand dollar fine per count he is charged with.

ICE agents and Homeland Security Investigations assisted police in the case.

Contact Boone Police at 268-6938 should you have information related to the case.




A Marion man is nabbed at a traffic checkpoint and charged with drug possession.

50-year-old Charles Edward Davis Junior of Carson Elliott Drive was charged by McDowell authorities with meth possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving while license revoked.

Reports say a search of his vehicle turned up 10 grams of meth, drug paraphernalia, and open bottles of liquor.




An Avery County statue and well-known landmark was stolen over the weekend.

The Sasquatch statue, more commonly known as Bigfoot, was taken from outside the Mountaineer Landscaping store where it had been a centerpiece for tourists for 3 years.

Authorities say the 8-foot tall figure was unbolted from its foundation; and the theft most likely involved several suspects.

Owners say if the deed was a prank and Bigfoot is returned there will be no questions asked; although if deputies find the stolen statue those involved could be facing felony charges.

Anyone having information about the stolen Bigfoot should call the Avery County Sheriff’s Office at 733-2071.



Authorities continue to investigate a fatal crash that happened in Rutherford County Monday morning.

Just after 7:30, the Highway Patrol reports 43-year-old Michael Ray Ponder of Bostic was traveling south on Brooks Road when he failed to stop for a stop sign at the Whiteside Road intersection.

Reports say Ponder collided into a vehicle driven by 44-year-old James Allen Coffey of Bostic.

Reports indicate Coffey was not wearing a seatbelt at the time, and was ejected from the car.

Coffey died at the scene from his injuries.







No comments:

Post a Comment