Image Credit: Buncombe County Detention Facility & Brent Moore / CC
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Republican Sullivan County Commissioner Joe Carr was recently arrested for sexual battery and public intoxication and disruption in North Carolina after he reportedly had an inappropriate encounter with a local woman.
Carr, 29, was arrested by the Asheville Police on Oct. 19 after officers responded to reports of a fight around 2:30 a.m.
According to the police, investigators determined that Carr improperly touched a woman inside a nearby business, leading to an altercation between Carr and the woman’s boyfriend.
An arrest warrant from the Buncombe County Courthouse specifically states Carr touched the woman’s breasts “by force and against her will for the purpose of sexual gratification.” He was also apparently drunk, leading to the “intoxicated and disruptive” charge.
Arrest records confirm he was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility on a $2,000 bond which he posted before his release the morning of Oct. 21.
Carr’s attorney, Doug Edwards, claims his client is not guilty and believes he will be fully cleared of the charges against him.
“Mr. Carr is innocent of the accusations made against him. We fully respect the judicial process and are confident that once the facts are presented in a court of law, my client will be completely exonerated. We remind everyone that the presumption of innocence is not optional; it is a fundamental cornerstone of our justice system. We are conducting our own investigation into the matter and will aggressively challenge the allegations that have been made. Mr. Carr remains focused on continuing to serve the people of Sullivan County with integrity,” wrote Edwards in a statement.
Carr represents District 9 on the Sullivan County Commission and was elected to his seat in 2022 after challenging the incumbent. There is currently no additional information on any future court dates or Carr’s intentions regarding his elected office.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
