Jason Troy Crouse
The Honorable Nathaniel J. Poovey, Superior Court Judge from Catawba County, imposed the active sentence of 21 to 27 years after the 12-member jury found 42-year-old Jason Troy Crouse guilty of the offenses along with his status as a habitual felon.
Crouse’s sentence length was enhanced by prior felony convictions for attempted trafficking methamphetamine by manufacturing (April 2016), maintain vehicle/dwelling for sale of a controlled substance (August 2009) and larceny after breaking/entering (August 2003), all in Alleghany County.
The two-day trial started on June 29 with jury selection and concluded Tuesday afternoon following evidence presentation and closing remarks by the State and defendant, who represented himself.
On November 8, 2024, Crouse entered a Hickory residence, used the shower, laid in the bed, ate the homeowners’ food and then stole clothes before leaving. Officers from Hickory Police Department made contact with the defendant around 10 a.m. on the day of the offense. At that time he was wearing red sweat pants with no shirt and produced his wallet with identification.
About 3 p.m. they came in contact with Crouse again. This time he was wearing khakis and a blue shirt, and he verbally identified himself. When officers reported to the home of the crime at 3:45 p.m, they found the red sweat pants Crouse had been wearing earlieralong with his wallet and ID. The homeowner verified that the clothes Crouse was wearing when arrested belonged to him.
Crouse testified that he had permission to be in the home. Seth Vanderwerken, Jeremy Brown and Nicholas Kidd handled the investigation for Hickory Police Department. Assistant District Attorney Ashlynn Nelson prosecuted the matter for the State with aid from Legal Assistant Meredith Scott.
Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY