NEWS-TOPIC STAFF

A former Alexander County correctional officer has been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple sexual offenses.

During a recent Caldwell County Superior Court session, Keith Randal Nicholas, 29, of Hickory, pleaded guilty to statutory rape and taking indecent liberties with a minor, who was between the ages of 13 and 15.

According to court documents, Superior Court Judge F. Donald Bridges sentenced Nicholas to serve between 147 months and 186 months (12 to 15 years) in the custody of the North Carolina Department of Correction. He must comply with the sex offender registry, and the victim's family will be notified about any pending release.

With no prior sexual offenses on his record, court documents show that Nicholas will not be required to enter into satellite-based monitoring.

Granite Falls Police Department Assistant Chief Lt. T.J. Bates said the charges stem from an incident in August 2008. His investigation began shortly thereafter, and a Caldwell County grand jury indicted Nicholas on Nov. 17, 2008. He surrendered himself to Bates a few days later and was placed in the Caldwell County Detention Center under a $150,000 secured bond.

Reports show that Nicholas, who was honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, remained in custody until this week's hearing, which is why Bridges gave him 264 days confinement credit.

Former Grease Monkey employee ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution

A Hickory man accused of stealing more than $5,000 from the Grease Monkey in Granite Falls has been ordered to pay the money back and complete a probationary sentence.

Kevin Odell Ware, 37, of 65 Auction Lane, Hickory, pleaded guilty to four counts felony larceny by employee. He has been sentenced to 30 months supervised probation. If he violates any portion of that sentence, he could face 12 to 16 months in prison.

Det. Roger Crosby, of the Granite Falls Police Department, said they were contacted by a former district manager at Grease Monkey in late October 2008. The manager reported that the company found several discrepancies in deposit slips. Crosby said further investigation revealed that there were 16 deposits, totaling $5,000, missing between September and October 2008.

Crosby said Ware was arrested Jan. 23, 2009 after being indicted by a grand jury. He was given a written promise to appear in court.