Burke County Sheriff's Office

09/28/2026

👏 Congratulations, Captain Dylan Anderson! 👏

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office would like to congratulate Captain Dylan Anderson on receiving the Advanced Service Award from the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission.

The Advanced Service Award recognizes a significant commitment to a career in law enforcement. To qualify, an officer must hold a valid General or Grandfather Certification and have at least 20 years of full-time service as a certified justice officer.

This award represents years of dedication, experience, and service to the law enforcement profession.

Please join us in congratulating Captain Anderson on this well-deserved achievement and thanking him for his many years of dedicated service to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Burke County!

Sheriff Hinceman said, “It is an honor and privilege to serve on the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission. It is especially meaningful to have the opportunity to be a part of the presentation and to see my own deputies receive these awards at the Full Commission Meeting. I am extremely proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the professionalism and dedication they demonstrate each day while representing the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.”

Pictured from left to right:
NC Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission Chairman and Cleveland County Sheriff, Alan Norman, Captain Dylan Anderson, and Sheriff Banks Hinceman.

09/28/2026

The Morganton Woman’s Club met on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Abeles Family Restaurant.

Sheriff Banks Hinceman was pleased to introduce the club’s Officer of the Quarter, Deputy Joshua Buchanan of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.

Congratulations to Deputy Buchanan on this well-deserved recognition! We appreciate his dedication and service to the citizens of Burke County.

Pictured are Sheriff Banks Hinceman, Taylor Buchanan and their daughter Stella, Deputy Joshua Buchanan, and Morganton Woman’s Club President Marsha Riddle.

09/28/2026

👏 Congratulations, Deputy Bobby Bowman! 👏

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office would like to congratulate Deputy Bobby Bowman on receiving several professional recognitions from the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission:

🏅 Intermediate Service Award
🏅 Intermediate Deputy Sheriff Certificate
🏅 Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate

These recognitions reflect Deputy Bowman’s dedication to the law enforcement profession, continued education, specialized training, and years of service.

North Carolina’s professional certificate program recognizes deputies based on a combination of formal education, law enforcement training, and full-time law enforcement experience. The Intermediate and Advanced certificates require officers to meet established education and training standards along with minimum years of experience.

The Service Award Program recognizes the commitment of certified justice officers, with the Intermediate Service Award recognizing at least 15 years of full-time service and the Advanced Service Award recognizing at least 20 years.

Congratulations, Deputy Bowman, on these well-deserved accomplishments! We appreciate your continued dedication and service to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Burke County!

Sheriff Hinceman said, “It is an honor and privilege to serve on the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission. It is especially meaningful to have the opportunity to be a part of the presentation and to see my own deputies receive these awards at the Full Commission Meeting. I am extremely proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the professionalism and dedication they demonstrate each day while representing the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.”

09/26/2026

09/23/2026

Most Wanted Arrest

NAME: ASHLEY NICOLE CREASY

DOB: 01/02/1990

Age: 36

Address: 5178 Celia Creek Rd, Lenoir, NC

Charges:
Failure to Appear - Burke County
(F) Possession of Methamphetamine
(F) Felony Possession of Schedule II CS
(M) Simple Possession of Schedule IV CS
(M) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
(M) Larceny
(M) Shoplift Concealment of Goods


Court Date: 10/05/2026

Bond: $21,000.00 Secured

Summary:

On September 16, 2026, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office deputies were responding to an assist other agency call when they came in contact with Ashely Nicole Creasy. Deputies were familiar with Creasy and were aware of her active warrants. Creasy was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Burke County Magistrate’s Office.

Creasy’s Failure to Appear charges in Burke County include Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony Possession of Schedule II CS, Misdemeanor Simple Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor Larceny, and Misdemeanor Shoplift Concealment of Goods.

Creasy received a $21,000 secured bond for the Burke County charges, and her court date is scheduled for October 5, 2026.

Creasy was on the most wanted list since September 8, 2026.

Agencies Involved:
Burke County Sheriff's Office

09/21/2026

💙 Thank You, First Baptist Church of Hildebran! 💙

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office would like to send a special thank you to First Baptist Church in Hildebran for bringing blessing bags to our Sheriff’s Office today for our deputies and staff!

Your thoughtfulness and support mean so much to everyone here. We are grateful for our community and for those who take the time to show their appreciation for the men and women who serve Burke County.

Thank you for blessing us! 🙏💙

09/19/2026

National Thank a Police Officer Day — September 19, 2026

Today, we take a moment to recognize and thank the men and women who serve our communities in law enforcement.

To every deputy, police officer and law enforcement professional who puts on the uniform each day — thank you. Thank you for answering the calls, working the late nights, responding when others are running away and serving your communities with courage, compassion and dedication.

Here at the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, we are proud of the men and women who serve Burke County. Their commitment extends far beyond the badge. They work to protect our citizens, help those in need, build relationships within our communities and make Burke County a safer place for everyone.

We also recognize the families who stand behind our law enforcement officers. Their support, sacrifice and understanding are an important part of every officer’s ability to serve.

This National Thank a Police Officer Day, we encourage everyone to take a moment to thank an officer. A simple “Thank you for what you do” can mean more than you know.

💙 To all of our law enforcement officers — thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your commitment to the communities you serve. We appreciate you today and every day. 💙

09/17/2026

Meet an Officer

Meet Detention Officer Michael Wright!

When asked to tell us a little about himself, this is what he shared:

I have served with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office as a Detention Officer for just over three years. I approach my work with dedication and integrity, and I believe any success I have is possible through Christ, who gives me the strength and guidance I need each day.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors. Hiking and kayaking are two of my favorite ways to enjoy God’s creation and find some peace.

I’m also incredibly thankful for the unwavering support of my wife and family. Their encouragement has meant so much to me and has been an important part of my journey.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office and to be part of this team.

09/17/2026

We inadvertently posted the wrong address originally and the correct address has been added.

Sentencing Update

NAME: GERSON ANTHONY REYES-MORALES

DOB: 01/30/2001

Age: 25

Address: 8160 49th Avenue N, Minneapolis, MN

Charges:
(F) Kidnapping
(F) Attempted Kidnapping
(F) Soliciting a Child by Computer for S*x Acts
(M) Driving While License Revoked
(M) Resisting a Public Officer
(M) Attempted Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor

UPDATE: September 16, 2026

On Monday, September 14, 2026, Morales was sentenced to 168 – 262 months in the Department of Correction for Felony Statutory S*x Offense with a Child 15 or Younger and Felony Indecent Liberties with a Minor.

Summary: June 25, 2025

On June 20, 2025, at approximately 1:40 a.m., the Burke County Sheriff’s Office arrested Gerson Anthony Reyes-Morales in connection with an ongoing investigation. Morales was intercepted by law enforcement in Morganton while attempting to meet with a 14-year-old victim for sexual acts.

At this time, Morales has been charged with Felony First Degree Kidnapping, Felony Attempted Kidnapping, Felony Soliciting a Child by Computer for S*x Acts, Misdemeanor Driving While License Revoked, Misdemeanor Resisting a Public Officer and Misdemeanor Attempted Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.

Morales received NO BOND in reference to the felony charges and has a next court date of June 6, 2025. Morales received a $25,000.00 secured bond in reference to the misdemeanor charges and has a court date of July 17, 2025.