Part I: I Smell a Rat Down at the Courthouse!!! –Sheriff Sued, DA Won’t Prosecute, Judge Won’t Hold Court, DSS Won’t investigate in Report of Child Molestation!! –Report by Robert A. Williams

Editor’s Note: This is the first of several articles regarding bad things happening down at the Courthouse that I have been accumulating for a long time regarding a large number and wide variety of cases. These cases involve jury intimidation, jury malfeasance, a convicted murderer being set free, a likely wrongful murder conviction resulting in execution, law enforcement officers getting preferential treatment, a law enforcement officer getting falsely accused and prosecuted while the real perp goes free, false prosecution(s) to cover up sex scandals at Cleveland County Schools and more.

This article is unusual as my source has consented for me to use his name. It involves several court cases where other names are including; making them all public information. I will not include the name of the juvenile who may have been sexually assaulted. This is a sad case and a sad situation for all involved. Made even worse by the folks down at the Courthouse trying to cover-up their own behinds by refusing to allow these court cases to see the light of day. Some reputations may be tarnished as well. My recommendation is for all to demand a court hearing on all the several cases involved and let the innocent clear their names.

I will start this article by naming everybody involved and the court case numbers, not in any specific order:

Sheriff Alan Norman-Suit filed late last week against Sheriff to provide investigative reports on allegations of possible child molestation. The Coroner may have to serve this lawsuit against the Sheriff. That is another story for another time. Sheriff Norman has also been appointed to the Board of Trustees at Cleveland Community College and has gotten himself tied up with their scandals and refusals to abide by the laws of North Carolina. We recommend Sheriff Norman resign from the CCC Board of Trustees and concentrate on his law enforcement duties at the Sheriff’s Department.

Judge Larry “Puddn’head” Wilson-Accused of withholding the proper administration of justice. My evaluations are this is a long standing tradition of which “Puddn’head” received his nick-name. He should have been run off from the courthouse a long time ago.

District Attorney Mike Miller-Accused of refusing to prosecute criminal acts involving a minor. Also refused to investigate Conflict of Interest allegations involving School Board Member Shearra Miller as well as prosecute credit card fraud at Cleveland County Schools. Mr. Miller may end up being a one-termer as he is up for re-election in 2018.

Beth Drake-Jailer, employed by the Sheriff’s Department-Accused of adultery with several employees of the Sheriff’s Department and others. Including paramour and accused pedophile noted below. Represented by Becky Brown.

James Tony West, III-Alleged paramour of Beth Drake and accused pedophile of minor child of Beth and Mike Drake. By law innocent until proven guilty, if ever he is arrested.

Mike Drake-Former Shelby Police Officer and businessman, cuckolded husband of Beth Drake. Represented by Colin McWhirter.

Charlie Carrigan-Special Officer with Sheriff’s Department, Businessman, Philanthropist and investor-Suit was filed against Mr. Carrigan in 2016 alleging “Alienation of Affection” and “Criminal Conversation” with Beth Drake by Mike Drake. Mr. Carrigan is represented by Ralph Meekins.

Matt Sandler-Investigator.

Jessica Hamilton-Investigator.

Cleveland County Department of Social Services-AWOL in this case, allegedly because investigation is within the Sheriff’s Department. This reason does not hold water as the child’s custodial parent, Beth Drake, is an employee of the Sheriff’s Department. There appears to be an intrinsic problem with the Sheriff’s Department investigating one of their own when DSS and other agencies are available. Sheriff Norman should have insisted an impartial DSS agency or another law enforcement entity, such as the SBI, investigate the allegations at hand. Perhaps Sheriff Norman’s judgement has already been affected and tarnished by his involvement with the many CCC scandals. Again, we recommend Sheriff Norman resign from the CCC Board and concentrate on his duties at the Sheriff’s Department.

Court Cases Filed-None adjudicated:

17-CvD-912 Filed by Mike Drake for Custody of minor child.

17-CvS-1517 Filed last week against Sheriff Alan Norman to produce investigative reports.

16-CvS-1963 Filed last year against Charlie Carrigan for alienation of affection and criminal conversation.

16-CvD-1504 Filed last year for Custody of minor child.

This sad call from a disappointed father, Mike Drake, came in last week after almost a year of going by the book down at the courthouse has resulted in nothing but a cover-up and no hearings being allowed in his many legal papers filed trying to get someone down at the courthouse to protect his child from possible sex offenses from his estranged wife’s paramour James Tony West, III. It was personally sad to me as I knew everyone involved except for this paramour. And the unnamed Sheriff’s Department employees who had also allegedly committed adultery with Beth Drake. What a shame this all was.

But the bigger shame here is why can’t Mike Drake get his day in Court and his daughter be protected??? I knew I had to write this article in hopes that the folks down at the Cleveland County Courthouse will finally do their jobs. I intend to lay so much sunshine down on the courthouse with this and other articles that every guilty party will get a bad case of sunburn. And need sunglasses strong enough to watch the next eclipse. That is a promise.

Mike’s report to me went like this:

Charlie Carrigan had been sued for alienation of affection and criminal conversation for his role in the split between Mike and Beth Drake. Carrigan’s assistance allegedly included lots of cash.

In a separation agreement, Beth Drake agreed and signed that she would not have men “friends” spend the night while their juvenile daughter was present. That agreement was totally broken.

Beth’s “new” boyfriend comes along, which generates a report of inappropriate conduct with the child. Matt Sandler investigates and says child is being “groomed” and there is probable cause, then reports insufficient evidence.

New allegations come in and Matt Sandler, joined by Jessica Hamilton, investigate and turn investigation report over to DA Mike Miller who says there was not enough evidence to prosecute.

Drake’s attorney, Colin McWhirter, asks for investigation reports that DA Mike Miller would not prosecute from and Sheriff Alan Norman refuses to provide said reports.

Reports made to DSS but DSS won’t investigate because Sheriff’s Department is involved. Beth Drake says nothing happened.

Child catches Beth Drake and paramour having sex in closet. Beth tells child “don’t step in the cum.”

Child sends text message to friends telling all about this. Mike Drake learns about this from child’s phone.

Beth breaks other parts of separation agreement. Charged big bucks on Mike’s credit for Beth’s other child not by Mike.

Mike files small claims suit against Beth in magistrate’s court and Judge Puddn’head illegally takes over and dismisses claim without a hearing or testimony.

Mike has reason to believe Charlie Carrigan has provided Beth over $50,000 to pay bills, lawyer bills, etc.

Mike installs tracker device on Beth’s car. Beth drives car to storage building rented or owned by Charlie Carrigan off S. DeKalb Street near Ken & Mary’s Restaurant. Charlie Carrigan drives Beth Home, says had two flat tires. Shows Mike tracker devise.

Mike alleges Beth, 48, has had 4 or 5 affairs. Mike has filed multiple legal actions and can’t get anything done, especially in regard to juvenile daughter who may be in danger of sex offenses. Beth’s paramour allegedly “ran his hand under daughter’s panties.”

Sheriff Alan Norman tells Mike he doesn’t want to “disgrace the Sheriff’s Department.

Beth allegedly paid Mike $25,000 in cash down payment on ownership of home settlement through Becky Brown and Brown had not set up a trust account for such a transfer of Beth’s payments. The cash was allegedly supplied by Charlie Carrigan, who Beth states “has given me a suitcase full of money because he believes in me.”

All in all, much of this may turn out to be a he said-she said controversy except for several important issues.
1. An under-aged juvenile female child is involved and there are indications of sexual crimes involving the paramour and the child that have not been properly investigated and adjudicated under the rule of law, but are based on covering up for sexually involved co-workers within the legal system down at the courthouse..
2. The legal process is being illegally manipulated to prevent a citizen from petitioning the government for the redress of grievances. This is a First Amendment Constitutional right that is the basis of our freedom as Americans.
3. All such actions noted herein bring disgrace not only to the Sheriff’s Department, but to the District Attorney’s and Judicial System as well as DSS.

It is unfortunate this situation is not an isolated case, but a “practice” that has been going on in one form or another for many years. This is just the latest example.

It is recommended that the legal filings in this matter be brought before an impartial out of town judge and adjudicated as soon as possible to protect the child and provide everyone an opportunity to clear their name. Every person and official noted herein or associated in any way is offered the opportunity to present their side of the story for publication to the public. This article describes situations that are of major public interest and the public has the right to know whether or not their governmental agencies are functioning properly and any criminal activity is properly prosecuted.

Also note that any citizens can go down to the courthouse and ask the Clerk of Court to produce the case files noted herein for your own personal inspection. You should remember that the Court Files are in chronological order. To best understand what is happening, start at the bottom of the file and work your way to the top. It is best not to take the files apart yourself. If you want copies, ask one of the folks in the Clerk’s Office and they will courteously and promptly make copies for you.

Stay Tuned folks. And remember this is only the first of many articles regarding the goings-on down at the courthouse.

Also remember this is an Election Year and Early Voting in the School Board Democrat Primary Election is presently going on. That final election day will be September 12, 2017. The General Election will be November 7, 2017.

If you want to make changes in what goes on in Cleveland County government, you must vote for the best candidates for the various offices. Stay Tuned for our recommendations.