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RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Rutherford County’s death by distribution convictions for the year have now jumped to five after the latest two convictions in August.

According to an Aug. 26 social media post by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Nathan Carpenter Beason pleaded guilty to two counts of death by distribution in Rutherford County Superior Court on Aug. 25. The sheriff’s office’s post reported that a week earlier on Aug. 18, Evelyn Robertson pleaded guilty to one count of death by distribution, and it was in connection with the same investigation.

Beason was sentenced to a minimum term of 11 years and maximum of 14 years in the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections. Robertson is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date, the post said.

According to court records, one of Beason’s charges originated from a March 2022 incident investigated by the sheriff’s office after deputies responded to a fatal overdose. Warrants were ultimately secured on Oct. 17, 2022.

Records show the second charge stemmed from a separate investigation initiated by the Rutherfordton Police Department in 2020. Warrants were secured on Beason by the police on Dec. 30, 2024.

Investigators from both agencies demonstrated dedication and persistence in thoroughly investigating these cases, ultimately leading to the charges filed against Beason.

“The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to the Rutherfordton Police Department for their diligence and work in their case against Beason. The Sheriff’s Office would also like to thank the District Attorney’s Office for its commitment and hard work in prosecuting these complex cases,” the post said.

Two Defendants Sentenced in Death by Distribution Cases

DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE RELEASE: Perkins Sentenced in Death by Distribution Case

From Carteret County Sheriff’s Office

Two women indicted after juvenile dies of overdose in Asheboro, sheriff’s office says

Read the original article on the WGHP website.

RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — Two women have been indicted after a child died by overdose, according to authorities.

The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office says they were called to a home in Asheboro in May about a juvenile overdose. EMS and fire personnel were already on scene performing life-saving measures when deputies arrived to assist, and the victim was taken to a hospital. The child was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Investigators found drug paraphernalia at the home and sought charges against the victim’s mother, Carrie Jo Graves, 36, and Amy Lee Locklear, 42.

The two women were both indicted by a grand jury in July. Graves was indicted for second-degree murder without regard, and Locklear was indicted for felony involuntary manslaughter.

On July 31, deputies traveled to Robeson and Cumberland Counties to take the two into custody.

Both Graves and Locklear were already wanted for failing to appear in Cumberland County, and Locklear had an additional arrest order for failing to appear in Robeson County.

Graves was taken into custody in Parkton without incident and transported back to Randolph County. She was given no bond.

Locklear was taken into custody in Saint Pauls and brought back to Randolph County. She was given a $362,000 secured bond for the various charges.

Randolph County Sheriff’s Office arrests Carrie Jo Graves and Amy Lee Locklear

Read the original article on the Randolph County Government website.

On May 11, 2024, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office responded to King Mountain Rd., Asheboro, in reference to a juvenile overdose/cardiac arrest. Deputies assisted EMS and fire personnel, who were already on scene performing life-saving measures on a juvenile victim. The victim was then transported to an area hospital, where the victim was pronounced deceased a short time later.

While gathering information about the incident, paraphernalia for Narcotic purposes was observed. Detectives with Criminal Investigations and Crime Scene responded to collect any evidence for further investigation.

Following the investigation, charges were sought against Carrie Jo Graves (mother of the juvenile) and Amy Lee Locklear.

During the July session of the Randolph County Grand Jury, a true bill of indictment was issued on Graves for felony second-degree murder without regard, and a true bill of indictment was issued on Locklear for felony involuntary manslaughter. This indictment was issued as a result of the investigation.

On July 31, 2025, the Criminal Apprehension Team and others traveled to Robeson and Cumberland Counties in an attempt to locate and apprehend Graves and Locklear.

Graves also had an order for arrest out of Cumberland County for failing to appear on a misdemeanor.

Locklear had an order for arrest for failing to appear on a felony in Robeson County and an order for arrest for failing to appear on a felony, as well as an additional failure to appear on a misdemeanor, both in Cumberland County.

Graves was apprehended at a residence on Tawdry Ln., Parkton, NC, without incident. She was subsequently transported to the Randolph County Detention Center, where she was taken before the magistrate, who issued a first appearance of August 1, 2025, in Randolph County District Court with no bond being set due to the nature of the charges, as well as a first appearance of August 8, 2025, with a $1,000 secured bond in the Cumberland County case.

Locklear was apprehended at a residence located on King Tuck Rd., Saint Pauls, NC, without incident and was subsequently transported to the Randolph County Detention Center, where the magistrate issued a first appearance of August 11, 2025, and a secured bond of $350,000 in the Randolph County case; a first appearance of August 29, 2025, with $7,000 secured in Cumberland County; and lastly a first appearance of August 20, 2025, and a secured bond of $5,000 in Robeson County for a total secured bond of $362,000.