Following sexual assault charges, Swain County Sheriff retires
Curtis Cochran.
File photo
In the wake of numerous criminal charges from both the state and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tied to two alleged sexual assaults, Curtis Cochran has retired from his position as the Swain County Sheriff.
Cochran, who was first elected to office in 2006, was charged on June 27 with one count of sexual battery, soliciting a prostitute and assault on a female, all misdemeanors, as well as felonious restraint. In addition, Cochran has been charged with violations of the Cherokee Code; specifically, two counts of oppression in office and one count of abusive sexual contact.
According to court records, Cochran, in an official Swain County Sheriff’s Office vehicle, solicited two women — both of whom he picked up while walking along the road — for prostitution. He also allegedly touched them on their breasts and legs without consent and in one case, he even allegedly exposed himself.
On the state level, Cochran was issued a $2,500 bond for the misdemeanor charges and $15,000 for the felony. He had his first appearance in Swain County Superior Court to address the state criminal charges last week.
Shortly after Cochran’s arrest, District Attorney Ashley Welch filed a petition for his removal from office.
Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Tessa Sellers suspended Cochran and set a hearing in Graham County for July 7 to review the suspension. She set a final determination in Swain County for July 21 on the petition to remove Cochran; however, he retired on July 1 unceremoniously before those hearings could be held.
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According to an email from Swain County, at the time he retired, Cochran’s salary was $102,205 per year.
His pension eligibility is determined through the NCOrbit retirement system. The county completes a form showing the retirement date, and that’s its only role in the process. There are no other county benefits Cochran will continue to receive.
