Johnston County District Attorney's Office

06/04/2026

Our summer internship program has officially kicked off! A huge welcome to Mary Scott, Amber, Alyssa, Lille, Alexis, Addison, and Aiden! (not pictured)

We are excited to have rising third-year law students joining us from several different law schools, including Campbell, NCCU, Penn State, and Alabama.

06/02/2026

Celebrate the wins! Today MADD representative Lee Hoisington presented our district court supervisor Maddy Gladwell with a certificate of appreciation for her zealous advocacy and efficient management of Johnston County’s DWI courtroom. Congratulations Maddy on the recognition and we are all very proud of you for the hard work you do to keep our roads safe!

05/27/2026

It was a privilege to attend this ceremony and honor those who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice for our great country. It was also inspiring to learn more about some of our local heroes. Very nice job Johnston County Veterans Council.

05/26/2026

Collaboration

Trust

Engagement

Relationships

These are components to enacting leadership practices personally, professionally, and within your community. We were excited to welcome Dr. Michael Sims as a guest speaker to discuss ways in which we can be better leaders in our community. Dr. Sims is a 21-year Marine Corps veteran, business leader, author, and former town council member. A huge thank you to Dr. Sims for sharing his leadership experiences and providing us with ideas on how to serve Johnston County “Beyond the Courtroom.”

05/25/2026

We hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day.

05/22/2026

After a two week trial, Alexander Herrera was found guilty of First-Degree Murder and Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon for the brutal and senseless killing of William Hayden Fitzpatrick. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Thank you to Assistant District Attorneys Jimmy Wilson and Kristin Terwey, legal assistants Kristen Price and Kim Narron, the Johnston County Sheriff's Office, and the jurors for their hard work and dedication in securing justice for the victim and his family.

JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. – A Johnston County jury has convicted a man in the 2022 fatal stabbing of a 19-year-old employee at a Murphy USA gas station near the Interstate 40 and N.C. 42 interchange. District Attorney Jason Waller announced Friday that a jury on May 21 found Alexander Leon Herrera gui...

05/14/2026

This week (and every week) we recognize and thank the brave men and women that work to enhance public safety in our communities. Our strong relationship with local law enforcement helps us promote fairness, accountability, and efficiency within the Johnston County criminal justice system. This past Saturday night we had the opportunity to support Clayton Police Department and Johnston County Sheriff's Office as they worked a traffic safety patrol. We appreciate your efforts to keep our roads safe!

05/09/2026

A group of our Victim Witness Legal Assistants headed west to Ashville this week to the NC Conference of District Attorneys Administrative Professionals Conference to hear presentations on how to better serve our communities and enjoy some fellowship time together. They heard from speakers from around the state including a homicide case study presentation led by our very own Sarah Cumbee and DA Waller!

05/05/2026

Big weekend for our partners at Smithfield, NC Police Department! First, it was a privilege to attend the retirement ceremony for Deputy Chief James Grady. We thank him for his dedication and service to the town and his relationship with the DA’s office over the years. He will be missed, but we wish him all the best in his retirement! Next, despite the rain the Town Of Smithfield, NC Government still managed to put on the 40th Ham & Yam Festival. Members of the staff were able to attend events including the Smithfield Parks and Recreation Hog Trot 5k where DA Waller and Senior ADA Keith Gordon participated and Keith finished 4th overall! Great job Keith and Smithfield!

05/01/2026

Last week was a busy trial week so we celebrated Administrative Professionals’ Day a week late. I am so grateful for the work these women and men do. They help us maintain relationships with victims, witnesses, and the public and operate the office efficiently by managing voluminous amounts of discovery (amongst many other responsibilities). I’m so proud of them and the work they do for our county. Thank you again for your hard work and dedication!