Misty M. Smithey, the elected register of deeds for Wilkes County, was arrested Wednesday on felony methamphetamine charges, according to local and state records. The 48-year-old official was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Wilkes County Detention Center, where her bond was set at $5,000. The arrest follows an inquiry led by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
In a March 11 release, the SBI announced the arrest and identified Smithey as the person charged with possession of methamphetamine and conspiracy to possess methamphetamine. As reported by WXII 12, she was booked into the county jail and released on a $5,000 bond. Investigators have said few details are being released while the probe continues.
An arrest warrant reviewed by reporters indicates the alleged offenses occurred on Feb. 19, court documents show, according to The Charlotte Observer. That reporting notes the SBI has not yet detailed the specific evidence or whether additional suspects will be charged. Prosecutors will decide whether to file formal indictments when the bureau finishes its investigation.
Smithey was first elected to lead the Wilkes County Register of Deeds in 2016 and has overseen the office since then, according to the North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds. NCARD lists her as the current officeholder and provides contact information for the county's register of deeds.
What the Register's Office Handles
The register of deeds records deeds, mortgages, marriage licenses and other official county documents that people rely on for property and legal transactions. The county's staff directory continues to list Smithey as head of that department, and there has been no public notice of a change in her status on the county website. Wilkes County maintains the office's hours and contact details.
Legal Exposure and Next Steps
The two charges Smithey faces are felonies under North Carolina law, and penalties depend on the amount of the controlled substance involved and any prior record. North Carolina's Controlled Substances Act sets trafficking thresholds and sentencing ranges; for methamphetamine, trafficking-level quantities begin at 28 grams and carry substantially higher penalties than simple possession. See NC General Statutes, Chapter 90 for the statutory framework. Smithey is presumed innocent until proven guilty and will have the opportunity to answer the charges in court.
Wilkes County officials had not posted a public statement about the arrest as of Thursday morning, and the county website still lists Smithey in the register's office, suggesting day-to-day business will continue under existing staff unless county leaders take action. County policy on the administrative status of elected officials facing criminal charges is not detailed on the public site. This is a developing story; we will update when court records or official statements are available.
