LENOIR, NC (January 3, 2018)…Steven James Merrell, 48, formerly of 6836 Richlands Rd, Lenoir was convicted in Caldwell County Superior Court on 01/02/2018 on charges of Failing to Notify the Sheriff of a Change of Address as a Sex offender and for Habitual Felon. The investigation started in July 2016 by Sheriff’s detective, C. Everhart. Det. Everhart went to verify Merrell’s address and discovered he no longer lived on Richlands Rd. Subsequent investigation revealed Merrell had been living in Watauga County and had failed to notify the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office of his address change. Merrell was sentenced to between 101 and 134 months in prison.
“One of the functions of the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office is to make sure that registered sex offenders are abiding by the restrictions placed upon him or her by the court system. Failure to comply with those restrictions will result in criminal charges.” Sheriff Alan C. Jones