Maiden Christmas Cops

Maiden Police Department kicks off their 9th annual “Christmas Cops” Toy Drive

Throughout the years this program has seen continued growth allowing our Maiden cops to help more and more families by lessening the burden and stress that comes with providing presents for their children. This has all been possible by the tremendous outpouring of support from the Maiden community.

If you would like to help this year, MPD will be accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys.

Donation buckets are conveniently located at the Maiden Police Department, Maiden Fire Department, Maiden Town Hall, Family Dollar, and Dollar General (Both Locations).

Maiden Police Department’s “Christmas Cops” Toy Drive will be running now through December 15th, 2024.

Thank you for your support! 

Original Story from Town of Maiden Facebook

triple homicide in Maiden NC, suspect Nathaniel Christenbury

Yesterday October 22, at approximately 7:45 p.m, Maiden PD and other law enforcement agencies responded to a reported shooting at a residence on P.J. McRee Road in Maiden. 

Officers discovered  three bodies in the home, along with one child, who was unharmed. This tragic incident is being treated as a triple homicide, with details still emerging as authorities continue their investigation. 

The suspect, 27 year old Nathaniel Isaac Christenbury from Iron Station, was apprehended in neighboring Lincoln County after fleeing the scene.

Christenbury now faces three counts of first-degree murder and is being held without bond.

A motive behind these tragic shootings has yet to be released. Authorities have not yet disclosed  whether Christenbury had any prior relationship or connections with the victims. 

Authorities are urging anyone with information related to this case, or who may have witnessed anything unusual around that time, to come forward. 

Stay tuned for updates as we continue to follow this developing story closely.

Felon Arrested For Possession with intent to distribute cocaine in Maiden NC

72-year-old Paul Douglas Baker of Maiden and 43-year-old Rebecca Nicole Huitron of Conover were both arrested by Maiden Police on September 12.

Following the arrests, Officers executed a search warrant on Baker’s residence on East Main Street in Maiden.

Baker was charged with four counts of trafficking cocaine, three counts of possession of cocaine, and four counts of possession of a firearm by felon, all felonies. Huitron was charged with felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Baker was jailed in the Catawba County Detention Facility under a $750,000 secured bond. Huitron was jailed in the Catawba County Detention Facility. Baker was scheduled to appear in District Court and Huitron was scheduled to appear in Superior Court, both Friday (September 13) in Newton.

In addition to the Maiden Police Department, the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Department of Homeland Security assisted in the investigation.

Official Press Release

Officers executed a search warrant on Baker’s residence at 703 East Main Street in Maiden. (Staff Photo)

Patrick Junior Havens

A disturbing case of invasion of privacy and child sexual exploitation has concluded with a prison sentence for Patrick Junior Havens, 64. Havens, owner of 321 Lawnmower Sales & Services in Maiden.

Havens has been sentenced to up to 107 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, and is required to register for 30-years as a sex offender. The verdict follows multiple offenses, including the illegal filming of a minor.

Evidence presented at trial revealed Havens had installed hidden cameras in a residential bathroom in order to capture explicit footage of a 13-year-old relative. Havens made multiple copies of this heinous footage for his own personal use.

In March 2023, a family member discovered two recording devices hidden in a bathroom. A subsequent search warrant led authorities to seize additional cameras disguised as phone chargers, along with other recording equipment.


Although these devices recorded footage of other family members, only the footage of the teenage girl was used by Havens for his unlawful purposes.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office spearheaded the investigation, and the case was prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office of Lincoln & Cleveland counties.

"Police Car Lights" by davidsonscott15 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Scammers have been calling Maiden citizens, impersonating Catawba County Sheriff’s Office staff. They demand money from the victim and threaten them with immediate arrest if they refuse to pay. These scam calls may make reference to either outstanding warrants or fines. Simply hang up and do not pick up if they attempt to call back. Under no circumstances should you give these callers any personal details or private information.

Be advised that the Sheriff’s Office will never call and ask for money.

Please reach out and spread the word to your friends, family and neighbors, especially our senior citizens.

From the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office:

‼️SCAM ALERT‼️ We’ve had several calls today about “Lieutenant Rodney Harris” calling citizens demanding money or they will be arrested. Lt. Harris, or any law enforcement officer, will NEVER call you and demand money. Nor will we ask you deposit it into a cryptocurrency machine!! ❌PLEASE DO NOT FALL FOR THIS SCAM!! Pass the word on to everyone you know!

“Police Car Lights” by davidsonscott15 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Armed and dangerous felon on the loose

Local residents, please be alert and aware. Do not approach this individual should you see or encounter him, and contact Captain Shanon Smith (McDowell County Sheriff’s Office) at 828-652-2235 or their local 911 center immediately. He is believed to be armed and dangerous.

From McDowell County Sheriff’s Office

Local and State Law Enforcement officials are currently searching for Ryan Ricky Houston (41 y/o white male) for felony warrants out of McDowell County. Houston is the suspect of a home invasion that occurred in McDowell County shortly before midnight. Houston, who is currently out on bond for Attempted First Degree Murder and Assault on Law Enforcement in Buncombe County, forced his way into a home in McDowell County, assaulted the homeowner and stole a firearm and vehicle. This stolen vehicle was located a short time later on Interstate 40 near exit 90. It is believed Houston then broke into Skyline Marine, off exit 90 of Interstate 40, and stole a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 truck. The truck is navy blue in color, crew cab (4-door), 4×4 LTZ. On the back glass of the truck is the wording “Skyline Marine”, “Honda” and “Bass Cat” with Tag Number HE-7004.

If you have any information regarding this individual, please contact Captain Shanon Smith (McDowell County Sheriff’s Office) at 828-652-2235 or dial 911 and contact law enforcement immediately.

Please see attached photos of Houston and the truck in question.

Coffee With A Cop

After a years long break during the pandemic, Coffee with a Cop is once again observed here in Maiden. The mission of Coffee with a Cop is “to break down the barriers between police officers and the citizens they serve.”

“One of the big issues that law enforcement must continually deal with is communication. We all know that the majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public is in emergency, sometimes adversarial, or emotional situations. Let’s face it; those situations are not always the best time for a nice “sit-down chat about community issues.” So how do we communicate better with the people we serve? The answer to that question is simple; just have a cup of coffee.”

These are the words of Sgt. Chris Cognac of the Hawthorne PD in a blog about the origins of “Coffee With A Cop” To learn more about the History of this National Event, read more here! History of Coffee With A Cop

As well as providing a relaxing forum where you can interact with our local Police Officers, staff and command staff, you can also pick up some goodies, pamphlets of information that are quite useful as well as a free gun lock should you require one!

The atmosphere was certainly relaxed and friendly as well! I took a moment to speak with as many people as I could especially all of our local Maiden Police that were on scene. I asked Officer Mark Baker when we would be seeing “Coffee With A Cop” in the future and he said that “These are held once per year” while adding “Although I’d like to have them every six months!” I couldn’t agree more Mark!

This year’s event was hosted by Mae’s Market. Looking back at the history of Coffee With A Cop in Maiden, Mae’s also hosted this event July 23, 2021. Be sure to stop by Mae’s and enjoy some yummy pastries as well as their large selection of coffees, frappes and other treats! Thank You Mae’s!

One of the keys to Coffee with a Cop’s success is that it removes the physical barriers between officers and residents and happens outside of the crisis situations that routinely define interactions between law enforcement officials and community members. Thank you to everyone in the community that turned-out on Friday to have a coffee and chat with our fine MPD officers!

If you would like to contribute photos or opinions to this story, reach out to us by email info@localmaiden.info or contact us on our Facebook Page!

road traffic accident Maiden NC

Just days after a new 4-way stop was installed at the East Maiden Road/Buffalo Shoals Road intersection, the location has already experienced a motor vehicle accident. Local residents are calling out for flashing lights or rumble strips to warn motorists, with several folks complaining about trucks and delivery drivers parked at the gas station / convenience store blocking the view for incoming motorists as they approach the intersection. This location has long been a “hotspot” for motor vehicle accidents.

NB. Photograph is a stock photo that does not depict the wreck. If you have photos of the wreck you would like to submit, please reach out to us at info@localmaiden.info. If you have news tips, please reach out to us at tips@localmaiden.info

Salvation Army in Maiden has fallen victim to a heartless group of thieves. The shameless gang has been stealing donations dropped off after hours by our generous community members.

Security cameras at the location on East Main Street have been capturing the thieves on camera since Fall of last year. The frequency of these thefts has dramatically increased in recent weeks and they are now almost a daily occurrence.

Maiden Police Department believes that several people may be involved in this organized crime. Please contact them at (828) 428-5005 if you have any information related to these thefts, or recognize any of the people or the vehicle in these photos.

If you have items to donate to Salvation Army, please drop them off during business hours to ensure they make their way safely into the hands of employees.

Capt Tyler Whisenant

On March 21st, 2024, Chief Tracy Ledford announced that Captain Tyler Whisenant has graduated as a member of the 289th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia on March 15th, 2024. Tyler Whisenant is the first officer in department history to complete this prestigious program. Nationally, fewer than one percent of officers have the opportunity to attend the program.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers ten weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

The 289th session consisted of one-hundred and ninety-seven law enforcement officers who graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The 289th session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 47 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 23 countries, four military organizations, and five federal civilian organizations.

“I am extremely proud of Captain Tyler Whisenant. His dedication to furthering his leadership skills at the FBI National Academy is proof that Captain Whisenant is committed to being the best public servant possible. I have no doubt Captain Whisenant will continue to improve our department by utilizing his knowledge, skills, and abilities learned at the Academy to better prepare us as a police organization. Focusing on public service, community engagement, and professionalism”. Tracy Ledford, Chief of Police

Captain Tyler Whisenant is a 15-year veteran of law enforcement serving the last 7 years with the Maiden Police Department. Captain Whisenant has served in numerous roles during his career to include patrol, investigations, and multiple supervisory positions.

Captain Whisenant holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from North Carolina Criminal Justices Education and Training Standards Commission and has completed the Administrative Officers Management Program from North Carolina State University.

About the FBI National Academy
FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees provide the training; many instructors are recognized internationally in their fields. Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia, which accredits many of the courses offered. A total of 54,985 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. The National Academy is held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, the same facility where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts.

Credit: Town of Maiden Facebook Page