Wanted Fugitive Arrested on Multiple Outstanding Warrants

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

Shortly after midnight on October 14, 2026, a member of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division conducted a traffic stop in the Ranger community. During the stop, the driver provided law enforcement with a name and date of birth. Agents quickly determined that the individual was attempting to conceal his true identity and worked to establish his identity.

The individual was identified as Ashton Blake Williamson, 23, who was found to have multiple outstanding Failure to Appear warrants, as well as a Probation Violation warrant. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed electronic scales and a substance of unknown origin.

Williamson was taken into custody and transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center. The outstanding warrants originated from Jackson County and Swain County. Following an appearance before a magistrate, Williamson was issued a secured bond of $25,000.

Cherokee County Sheriff Chris Wood stated, “Our deputies do a fantastic job of conducting thorough investigations and maintaining situational awareness, even during routine traffic stops. Mr. Williamson’s attempt to conceal his identity did not prevent our deputies from identifying him and holding him accountable for his outstanding warrants. I commend our deputies for their diligence and professionalism in locating and taking a wanted individual into custody.”

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.