Wilkes County Register of Deeds Arrested in SBI Drug Investigation

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation arrested Wilkes County Register of Deeds Misty Smithey following a drug investigation, according to state authorities and court records.

Smithey, 48, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and felony conspiracy to possess methamphetamine, investigators said in a statement released on March 11.

Authorities said she was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Wilkes County Detention Center.

According to court filings, the charges stem from an alleged incident on Feb. 19, 2026. Investigators allege Smithey unlawfully possessed methamphetamine, which is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance under the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act, and conspired with another person to commit the felony offense.

A magistrate issued the arrest warrant on March 11, and it was served the same day, according to records in the North Carolina eCourts system (Case No. 26CR253737-960).

Smithey is scheduled to make her first appearance on Thursday morning at the Wilkes County Courthouse.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, and additional details — including the identity of the alleged co-conspirator referenced in court documents — have not been released.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.