Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran Retires, Faces Criminal Charges

Swain County -- Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran has officially retired from his position, effective July 1, 2025.

This decision comes after his recent arrest and suspension from office on a litany of serious criminal charges filed in both North Carolina state court and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' tribal court.

Sheriff Cochran, who had served the county as its top law enforcement officer since his election in 2006, was taken into custody on June 27, 2025. His arrest followed a collaborative investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Cherokee Indian Police Department (CIPD), spurred by allegations of sexual misconduct involving two women on Cherokee land.

The charges leveled against Sheriff Cochran are substantial and include:

State Charges:

Felonious restraint (a felony)

Assault on a female (misdemeanor)

Sexual battery (misdemeanor)

Solicitation to commit prostitution (misdemeanor)

Cherokee Code Violations:

Two counts of oppression in office

One count of abusive sexual contact

According to court documents, the allegations describe instances where Cochran allegedly solicited a woman for prostitution, and also forcibly touched her breast and rubbed her thigh against her will. In another alleged incident, he is accused of picking up a woman recently released from jail and then touching her without her consent. The petition filed by District Attorney Ashley Welch seeking his removal from office asserted that Cochran "has shown on multiple occasions that he is willing to misuse the power and authority inherent to the office of Sheriff for improper and criminal personal gain."

Following his arrest, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Tessa Sellers ordered Cochran's immediate suspension from office. Chief Deputy Brian Kirkland assumed the duties of the sheriff, assuring the community that law enforcement services would continue uninterrupted.

Crucially, Sheriff Cochran has already faced initial court appearances for these criminal charges, and future dates are set:

He made his first appearance in tribal court in Cherokee on Monday, June 30, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges under the Cherokee Code. His next tribal court hearing is scheduled for Monday, September 29, 2025.

He also appeared in Swain County District Court on Tuesday, July 1, for the state criminal charges. While specific details for all subsequent state court appearances are still emerging, a next state court date is reportedly set for Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Cochran's retirement, made effective July 1, renders moot the previously scheduled judicial hearings for his suspension (set for July 7) and permanent removal from office (set for July 21). However, his retirement does not, and will not, affect the ongoing criminal prosecutions in either North Carolina state court or the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' tribal court.

The Swain County Board of Commissioners has acknowledged Cochran's retirement and announced they will promptly proceed with filling the vacant sheriff position in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 162-5.1. This process typically involves a recommendation from the county executive committee of the former sheriff's political party, followed by an appointment to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

                           Curtis Cochran

Editor's Note: A  criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.

WNCTimes

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