Jeremy Edward Harrell
The Honorable Peter Knight, Superior Court Judge from Henderson County, imposed terms of the active sentence after Harrell entered a guilty plea to first-degree kidnapping, assault with serious bodily injury, first-degree burglary, breaking & entering to terrorize or injure, possession of a controlled substance on prison or jail premises and possession of methamphetamine.
The length of his sentence was enhanced by prior felony convictions for possession of meth (December 2021), possession with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver meth (March 2020) and possession of meth (March 2015), all in Catawba County.
On September 9, 2025, the defendant went to a Newton residence where the female victim was assisting a friend with some cleaning, Harrell opened the door unannounced, went in and began yelling at the victim. He called her names, kicked and punched her, struck her with a machete and then dragged her to his truck.
As they got in the truck, and he continued to strike her. When he stopped for gas, she tried to get out of the truck, but he would not allow her to do so. A good Samaritan witnessed the exchange and distracted Harrell so the victim could flee. Harrell was arrested sometime later after briefly trying to evade law enforcement.
On January 18, 2025, Harrell broke down the door to a residence in Conover occupied by three people looking for a female and also threatened to throw bricks through the window. When he was taken to the Caldwell County Detention Center on January 21, 2025, and searched by officers, a small bag of meth was recovered from his jacket pocket.
Harrell was stopped by officers for an active warrant while driving on May 31, 2025. He was identified as the defendant sought by law enforcement and arrested. A meth pipe and two baggies of a clear, crystal-like substance were found in his pants pocket during a search.
The cases were investigated by the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office and Hickory Police.
Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY