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Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit Permanently Removed from Office
The removal of Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit due to "willful misconduct and maladministration" has sent shockwaves through Western North Carolina, raising questions about law enforcement integrity and public trust in the region.
What Happened
Superior Court Judge William T. Stetzer permanently removed Hoxit from office on April 6, 2026, following a suspension that began on January 29, 2026. The ruling ended Hoxit's tenure after he was elected as an unaffiliated candidate in 2022.
District Attorney Ashley Welch filed a petition alleging Hoxit misused his office for improper personal gain, including "multiple acts of dishonesty" during a criminal investigation into a county commissioner. The investigation involved County Commissioner Jacob Nelms, which took place while Hoxit was in a romantic relationship with Nelms' then-wife, Adarian Nelms. In February 2026, the Graham County Board of Commissioners appointed former sheriff Russell Moody as the interim sheriff to ensure stable leadership.
The Findings
The removal hearing featured testimony from witnesses, including Department of Insurance investigators who were unaware of the Sheriff's personal conflict. Evidence presented during the proceedings included:
Failure to Disclose: Hoxit did not disclose his relationship with the commissioner's wife, even to his own legal team, reportedly to avoid controversy during an election cycle.
Misuse of Power: The petition alleged a GPS tracking device was placed on Commissioner Nelms' vehicle for five months in 2025 through an "unlawfully obtained warrant."
Willful Misconduct: Judge Stetzer ruled that these actions constituted a violation of the public trust, citing that a sheriff cannot use the tools of the justice system to investigate a citizen with whom they have a personal conflict.
Impact Across Western North Carolina (WNC)
The ruling stabilizes leadership under Interim Sheriff Moody, with no disruptions reported in daily policing. However, the case signals a high bar for accountability for sheriffs across rural WNC, potentially deterring similar abuses of power in the future.
With a general election scheduled for November 2026, the focus now shifts to the voters. Republican primary winner Caleb Stiles is set to face Democratic candidate Reba Louanne Jenkins McMahan. The situation highlights the critical importance of maintaining ethical standards within law enforcement to ensure public safety and trust throughout the broader Western North Carolina region.