Cherryville man charged in McDowell ATV theft

Deputies say a prospective buyer took the $2,200 four-wheeler to Georgia before an agreed sale; court hearing set for Nov. 23.

A Cherryville man faces a felony larceny charge after McDowell County investigators say he took a hunter’s four-wheeler without permission.

Nicholas Andrew Ledford, 31, was arrested Nov. 4 and issued a $10,000 secured bond, according to a Nov. 9 statement from the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office and court records.

The investigation began Aug. 5, when Lt. Jason Cook took a report of a camouflage-colored Honda four-wheeler missing from a property the owner leased for hunting, the sheriff’s office said.

The ATV’s owner told investigators that Ledford owned the hunting property and had expressed interest in buying the vehicle. The two agreed on a price and a date for the sale, according to the sheriff’s office.

Before that transaction took place, Ledford allegedly took the ATV to Georgia without the owner’s permission. He later contacted the owner and said the four-wheeler had stopped working, the sheriff’s office said.

Detective Adam Burnette investigated the report and charged Ledford with felony larceny.

Court records identify the vehicle as a camouflage Honda Rancher valued at $2,200.

They list Aug. 2 as the alleged offense date and show that an arrest warrant was issued Aug. 27, more than two months before Ledford’s arrest.

A Nov. 4 bond entry states that Ledford had pending charges in multiple counties and had been picked up out of state. His release conditions prohibit direct or indirect contact with the victim.

Court records show a first appearance was held on Nov. 6, with an entry recording the appointment of a public defender. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Nov. 23 at the McDowell County Courthouse.

The case, numbered 26CR393200-580, remains pending.

The charge is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.