Former Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran, who retired earlier this month amid sexual assault charges, is now facing a second-degree rape charge.
Cochran was formally indicted on the latest charge Monday, July 21, and was arrested by an SBI agent the morning of Tuesday, July, 22.
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. The alleged victim in the rape case is different than the two victims of the prior alleged assaults.
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.
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.
On his most recent charge, Cochran was released on $50,000 bond under the conditions that he doesn’t leave the state, doesn’t break any other laws and doesn’t have any contact with his alleged victim. He is scheduled to appear in court alongside his attorney, Jack Stewart, on Sept. 24. Second-degree rape is a class C felony, punishable by 44-182 months in prison.