Madison County Sheriff's Office, 348 Medical Park Drive, Marshall, NC (2026)

05/22/2026

Madison County Sheriff’s Office Offers Hope During Revival at Detention Facility

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office recently concluded a five-night revival service at the Madison County Detention Center. Participation and attendance were completely voluntary and open to all inmates and sheriff’s office personnel.
Throughout the week, guest preachers and worship leaders filled the detention facility’s sally port with worship, prayer, and messages of faith and hope. The services were organized with the goal of providing encouragement and spiritual support to those inside the facility.
Sheriff Buddy Harwood continues to emphasize offering hope, guidance, and opportunities for positive change to every individual who enters the detention center. Sheriff Harwood stated:
“I start by saying Praise God! I want to thank Pastor Raymond Cantrell and his prayerful leadership and discernment about the revival that we are having at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. To all the preachers and singers, words cannot ever describe how God has used you all as a vessel for the kingdom of God! We have had 20 individuals profess salvation, 21 baptized, and 2 who have answered their calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office expressed appreciation to the volunteer ministers, worship leaders, and community members who contributed their time and support to the event.

05/13/2026

Registered S*x Offender Arrested for Violating Premise Restrictions in Mars Hill

May 13, 2026
Sheriff Buddy Harwood announced that the Madison County Sheriff’s Office has arrested registered s*x offender Manuel Cavazos for being on premises intended primarily for the gathering of children, in violation of North Carolina General Statute §14-208.18.
North Carolina General Statute §14-208.18 makes it unlawful for any person required to register as a s*x offender to be at certain locations involving children, including:

On the premises of any place intended primarily for the use, care, or supervision of minors, including but not limited to schools, children’s museums, child care centers, nurseries, and playgrounds;
Within 300 feet of any location intended primarily for the use, care, or supervision of minors when the location is situated on property not primarily intended for minors, including areas within malls, shopping centers, or other public property; or
At any place where minors frequently congregate, including but not limited to libraries, arcades, amusement parks, recreation parks, and swimming pools, when minors are present.

North Carolina S*x Offender Registry records show that Manuel Cavazos was convicted in Okaloosa County Florida on August 30, 2012, of four counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Child Under 12 Years of Age. Following his release from prison and relocation to Mars Hill, Mr. Cavazos was required to register as a s*x offender in North Carolina on August 11, 2022. Mr. Cavazos is classified as a s*xual predator.
Investigators determined that Mr. Cavazos had been present on property belonging to Madison County Schools located at 200 School House Lane in Mars Hill, as well as on the Mars Hill Greenway, while children were present. Investigators determined that Mr. Cavazos did not attempt to enter the school building.
Mr. Cavazos was arrested and given a $100,000 secured bond by a district court judge. The bond was later posted, and Mr. Cavazos is expected to be released from custody later today.
Sheriff Harwood stated, “The protection of our children remains one of the highest priorities of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Individuals required to register as s*x offenders are responsible for understanding and complying with the restrictions placed upon them. We will continue to enforce these laws as written to help ensure the safety of children in our communities.”

05/09/2026

Fugitive Arrested on Probation Violations

May 8, 2026
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced that deputies, along with probation officers, conducted an operation in the Rector Corner community near Miller Road and Elm Drive in an effort to locate probationer Joseph Tyler Griffey (DOB: 06/14/1996).
During the operation, Mr. Griffey was located hiding inside a relative’s residence and was taken into custody without incident.
Joseph Tyler Griffey was charged with multiple probation violations and placed under a $10,000 secured bond related to those violations. Mr. Griffey is also being held on a fugitive warrant for pending theft charges from multiple agencies in and around Greene County, TN.
Sheriff Buddy Harwood stated that this arrest highlights the importance of cooperation between agencies and neighboring communities.
“Even though our communities are divided by a state line, law enforcement continues working together with one common goal — creating a safer, united community.”

05/01/2026

🚨 SCAM ALERT: Jury Duty Scam 🚨

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about scam calls claiming you missed jury duty and must pay a fine or face arrest.
This is NOT legitimate.
⚠️ We will never:

Call and demand payment
Threaten arrest over the phone
Accept gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers

Scammers may spoof our number or use real names to sound convincing.
✅ What to do:

Hang up immediately
Do not give out personal information
Do not send money
Report the call to our office

Stay alert and help protect others by sharing this post.

04/22/2026

Madison County Sheriff’s Office Makes Arrest in Franklin Mountain Road Homicide

Sheriff Buddy Harwood announced that deputies with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office have made an arrest in connection with the murder of Kenneth Larry Patterson.
Following an extensive investigation, Douglas Rex Conner (70) of Greeneville, Tennessee, was taken into custody on April 21, 2026.
Investigators have determined that the shooting occurred as a result of what is believed to have been a domestic-related, jealous rage.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office, Laurel Fire Department, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives (ATF), and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) for their valuable assistance throughout the investigation.
Sheriff Harwood expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Patterson family and commended investigators for their dedication and persistence in bringing clarity and accountability to this tragic case.

04/05/2026

SCAM ALERT: “Failure to Pay Toll” Texts and Notices

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a new scam involving fraudulent “failure to pay” or “toll evasion” notices. These messages are designed to look official and may threaten arrest, license suspension, or additional penalties if immediate payment is not made.
What to watch for:

Messages claiming you owe money for unpaid electronic tolls
Threats of arrest or legal action if you do not pay immediately
Links directing you to a website that appears legitimate
QR codes directing you to fraudulent payment sites
Requests for payment through unusual methods (gift cards, prepaid cards, or direct links)

Important reminders:

Government agencies do not threaten arrest via text message or email
Legitimate toll agencies do not demand immediate payment through unsolicited messages
These scams often use fake websites, QR codes, and caller ID spoofing to appear real

What you should do:

Do not click on any links or respond to the message
Do not scan any QR codes included in the message or notice
Do not provide personal or financial information
Do not send money or make payments based on unsolicited contact
If you are concerned, contact the toll agency directly using an official phone number or website

If you receive one of these messages, simply delete it.
Stay vigilant—scammers rely on urgency and fear to get you to act quickly. Always take a moment to verify before responding.

04/02/2026

Madison County Sheriff’s Office Announces Anonymous Crime Tip Line

Sheriff Buddy Harwood announced that the Madison County Sheriff’s Office has set up a new anonymous crime tip phone line to encourage community members to share information about criminal activity. This line gives people a safe and confidential way to provide tips without revealing who they are. No caller ID information is displayed or captured.
Madison County NC Crime Tip Line:(828) 649-1822
This phone line is in addition to the anonymous text-based “Submit a Tip” feature already available through the Madison County Sheriff’s Office mobile app, giving residents more convenient options to share information.
The tip line is for non-emergency information only. If you have an active situation or need immediate law enforcement response, please call 911.
Tips received through the line will be reviewed by investigators and may help with current or future cases. Sheriff Harwood emphasized that community involvement remains essential to keeping Madison County a safe and desirable place to live, work, worship, and enjoy everyday life.

04/01/2026

Tragedy in the Laurel Community

Sheriff Buddy Harwood announced today that the Madison County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating a homicide that occurred in the Laurel community.
Deputies responded to a call at approximately 1:20 a.m. on Franklin Mountain Road, where they initiated an active and ongoing investigation. At this time, details remain limited as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. No additional information is available for release at this stage.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences and prayers to the family of the victim during this difficult time.
This investigation remains ongoing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

03/19/2026

⚠️ Scam Alert – Fake North Carolina DMV Tickets

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office warns residents about a growing scam involving fraudulent text message notices claiming you have an outstanding DMV ticket in North Carolina. Please delete and block the sender, which is commonly an international exchange or unrecognized address.
Scammers may:

Call, text, or email claiming you owe money to the DMV.
Threaten arrest, license suspension, or fines if payment is not made immediately.
Request payment via CashApp, Venmo, gift cards, wire transfer, or other electronic methods.
Use official-sounding names, logos, and caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate.
Send text messages with links that can install malware or steal your information.

Important safety tips:

Do NOT click on any links in unexpected emails or text messages.
The North Carolina DMV will never demand immediate payment over the phone, via text, or through gift cards.
Do not provide personal information like Social Security numbers, bank info, or passwords.

Remember: Scammers are skilled at making threats sound real. Always verify before taking action.

Madison County Sheriff's Office

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