Brevard man pleads guilty to elder exploitation; other Transylvania residents sentenced for drug charges

Several defendants entered guilty pleas to a variety of charges, including elder exploitation and fraud, drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon during the most recent Transylvania County two-week Superior Court Session that began May 2, according to a news release from the office of R. Andrew Murray, District Attorney for Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania counties.   

Superior Court Judge William Coward presided over the trial calendar and sentenced the defendants. 

According to court records and the sentencing hearing, the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint regarding the defendant, Travis Galloway, 36, Brevard, contracting with an elder adult for general contracting services without having a necessary contracting license.  

An investigation ensued and the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office charged Galloway with exploitation of an elder adult through a business relationship, obtaining property by false pretense and misdemeanor contracting without a license. 

Galloway took $48,000 for contracting services from a 72-year-old victim and never completed the work, according to the DA’s office. Investigators discovered that this was a pattern of conduct by Galloway. He was sentenced on May 9 and received an active prison sentence of 19 months minimum to 32 months. 

Other felony cases were handled during this trial session, including several drug trafficking cases. These drug trafficking offenses included: 

•  Lisa Morgan, 43, Rosman, pled guilty to one count of trafficking in methamphetamine and two counts of possession with intent to sell methamphetamine. Morgan received an active prison sentence of 70 months to 93 months and a mandatory $50,000 fine. 
•  Caryington Hunter, 22, Pisgah Forest, pled guilty to numerous drug trafficking charges, including trafficking in cocaine and methamphetamine and other related drug offenses, including possession with intent to sell fentanyl. She also pled guilty to several counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Hunter received a consolidated prison sentence of a minimum of 80 months to 114 months and a mandatory $50,000 fine. 

Assistant District Attorney Jason Hayes (Transylvania County Assistant District Attorney Supervisor) and Assistant District Attorney Lily Ferry prosecuted these cases and handled the sentencing hearings.