Kentucky Man Faces Multiple Charges in McDowell County

McDowell County -- October 19, 2024: McDowell County Sheriff's Office On Wednesday, October 16th, 2024, McDowell

County Sheriff’s Office arrested Hunter Dakota Kelley, of Kentucky, with (2) counts of Attempting to Obtain Property by False Pretense, (2) counts of Possession of Weapon on Educational Property (Not Gun) and (1) Possession of Open Container of Alcohol.

On this date, Kelley went to (2) schools in McDowell County, presenting identification from the Department of Defense, along with a fictitious name, and spoke with school personnel requesting information that did not seem appropriate to personnel. School officials did not give any information to Kelley and stated they would let him speak with the School Resource Officers, at which time Kelley left the properties. School officials obtained photographs of the vehicle Kelley was operating, as well as photographs of Kelley, and turned the information over to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office.

McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, along with the help of the NC State Highway Patrol, located the suspect and vehicle a short time later and identified Kelley. Further investigation led to the discovery of a machete-style weapon concealed inside of his vehicle and subsequently the arrest of Kelley.

“Thanks to the observations and swift action by our school officials, along with our law enforcement, we were able to find and identify this guy”, states Sheriff Ricky T. Buchanan. “He had no business at our schools or around our kids and school staff. Glad we were able to locate him.”

Kelley was taken before a magistrate and issued a $75,000 secured bond.

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.