Homeless Sex Offender Charged with New Felony in Rutherford County

A registered sex offender with an extensive criminal record is facing a new felony charge after investigators say he repeatedly interfered with a court-ordered GPS ankle monitor while under active supervision.

Court records show Kenny Buff, 40, was charged Jan. 22 with felony removal or tampering with a sex offender satellite-based monitoring device, a violation of North Carolina General Statute 14-208.44(b). The charge stems from allegations that Buff allowed his GPS ankle monitor to lose power on multiple occasions between Dec. 1, 2025, and Jan. 7, 2026, causing repeated “tracker missed callback” alerts.

According to the warrant, Buff failed to keep a fully charged battery in the device while enrolled in the state’s Satellite-Based Monitoring (SBM) program, which is used to track certain convicted sex offenders in the community. The case was investigated by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, with Detective Jonathan Clayton listed as the complainant.

Buff was arrested the same day the warrant was issued and brought before a magistrate in Rutherford County. A $75,000 secured bond was set. His case is pending in Rutherford County District Court, with a first appearance scheduled for Jan. 23.

Department of Adult Correction records indicate Buff is actively under probation or post-release supervision. He is listed as homeless in the detention center and NC State Bureau of Investigation records, with a last known address in Forest City. Authorities note that tampering with or disabling a GPS monitor undermines the state’s ability to enforce court-ordered conditions designed to protect public safety.

Under North Carolina law, interfering with SBM equipment is treated as a felony offense, reflecting the legislature’s emphasis on continuous electronic monitoring for certain offenders. The statute makes it unlawful to remove, tamper with, or otherwise interfere with the proper functioning of monitoring equipment once an individual is enrolled in the program.

Public records show Buff has a lengthy criminal history dating back more than two decades, including prior felony convictions and periods of incarceration. His record includes violent offenses and prior supervision violations. The NC State Court of Appeals upheld his rape conviction of a 13-year-old in 2005. WCAB News is reporting these facts strictly as part of the public court record related to the current charge.

At this stage, the charge remains an allegation. Buff is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. If convicted, the felony could carry additional prison time and further supervision consequences.