Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran has officially retired following his recent arrest on multiple felony charges. The Swain County Board of Commissioners made the announcement Thursday, confirming that Cochran’s retirement took effect Tuesday, July 1.
Chief Deputy Brian Kirkland will remain in place as acting sheriff until a permanent replacement is appointed. The Board of Commissioners says it will follow North Carolina law in selecting a new sheriff to serve the remainder of Cochran’s current term, which began in 2022.
Cochran was suspended from duty after being charged with felonious restraint, assault on a female, sexual battery, and solicitation to commit prostitution. Additional charges have been filed in tribal court under the Cherokee Code, including two counts of oppression in office and one count of abusive sexual contact.
The allegations stem from a report made by a female enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, who claims she was sexually assaulted by Cochran on the Qualla Boundary. A multi-agency investigation involving the Cherokee Indian Police Department, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the FBI is ongoing.
Cochran appeared in court Tuesday, where a judge ordered him to have no contact with the sheriff’s office or its employees. He is scheduled to return to court in Graham County on Monday, July 7, for a suspension review, with another court date set for August 5.
