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Asheville Community Stunned by Recent Disturbing Cases

Asheville residents gathered to discuss the recent crime cases making headlines.

News Summary

Asheville, NC is grappling with the unsettling revelations from two disturbing court cases involving a murder-for-hire plot and a serious child abuse incident. Jermaine Brehon, convicted of his involvement in a murder scheme, received a prison sentence of 4 to 7 years. Meanwhile, Austin Dakota Haynie pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including child abuse, and was sentenced to 13.5 years, with additional severe penalties. As these cases unfold, the Asheville Police Department is ramping up recruitment efforts in response to community concerns.

Asheville Residents in Shock as Two Disturbing Cases Make Headlines

In the serene community of Asheville, North Carolina, recent court proceedings have shed light on two chilling cases that have left many residents feeling unsettled. These events involve a murder-for-hire scheme and a disturbing case of child abuse, both leading to significant legal consequences for the individuals involved.

Jermaine Brehon’s Murder-for-Hire Plot

First, we have the case of Jermaine Brehon, an Asheville man whose actions have raised eyebrows. Brehon was convicted for his involvement in a murder-for-hire scheme, where he pleaded guilty to felony solicitation to commit first-degree murder on December 2, 2023. Just a week later, on December 9, he was sentenced to 4 to 7 years in North Carolina State prisons by Judge Jacqueline Grant.

Originally indicted in September 2021, Brehon’s run-in with the law began prior to this recent verdict. It was during the search of his mobile phone that the extent of his plot was revealed. Inside his Facebook messages, law enforcement found exchanges discussing a plan to pay someone to kill a target. Brehon asserted that he never intended to carry out the act himself but was willing to fund someone else’s efforts.

Fortunately, the intended victim remained unharmed, and authorities found no evidence suggesting that Brehon made any further attempts to follow through with his morbid scheme. Despite the gravity of his intentions, it seems that for now, Asheville can breathe a sigh of relief that the situation remained just that—a plot.

Austin Dakota Haynie’s Disturbing Case

Turning to another deeply concerning case, Austin Dakota Haynie was dealt a devastating blow after pleading guilty to multiple serious charges. Among them were two counts of felony solicitation to commit first-degree murder, alongside accusations of attaining indecent liberties with a minor. The charges stem from a shocking incident on February 7, 2023, when a family member discovered Haynie hiding in a closet. The girl was just 14 years old.

At the time of his arrest, Haynie, aged 22, admitted to sexually abusing the young girl. As if that weren’t enough, once in custody, he attempted to orchestrate a sinister plot to assassinate the family member who had confronted him and even the detective involved in the investigation. He provided specific details about the individuals and even set out a reward for these heinous acts.

Fortunately, another inmate grew suspicious and informed law enforcement, unveiling Haynie’s deadly plans before they could come to fruition. Judge Steve Warren has since sentenced him to an extensive 13.5 years in prison, along with requiring him to register as a sex offender for the next 30 years and a lifetime no-contact order with the victim.

Asheville Police Department Steps Up Recruitment

30 new officers to enter basic law enforcement training. This initiative comes as a response to national trends impacting police recruitment, particularly after the tragic murder of George Floyd in 2020.

The state of policing has necessitated a return to the roots of community engagement, a sentiment echoed by Police Chief Mike Lamb, who has noted an uptick in morale among current officers and a more promising recruitment rate. The department is mindful of increasing the representation of female officers among its ranks, as the current count stands at just 27 sworn officers. In a concerning trend, 2023 saw the lowest number of recruits entering training in a decade, with only nine candidates stepping up to the plate. Currently, six applicants have made it into the law enforcement academy while an additional 24 are still undergoing a rigorous 90-day vetting process.

As Asheville navigates through these challenging times, the community remains hopeful that increased law enforcement presence and awareness can lead to a safer future.