Editor’s note: WIZS News received the following statement from District Attorney Michael D. Waters on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. In the email that contained the attached press release, Waters stated, “Because of the content, it is imperative that the press release be made available in its entirety. I do not have any further comment on this matter.”
Below is the statement Waters released, followed by the letter from Wake DA Lorrin Freeman, which he referred to in the statement:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE PUBLISHED IN ITS ENTIRETY
Statement of District Attorney Michael D. Waters
This past Sunday, November 16, 2025, my attention was directed to a statement posted to social media by candidate for Granville County Sheriff, Charlie Noblin, Jr., regarding his October 27, 2021, resignation as the Sheriff of Granville County. I am addressing the specific allegations as directed towards my conduct as District Attorney in that I inappropriately collaborated with Granville County Attorney Jim Wrenn in asking for Charlie Noblin, Jr.’s resignation. This is not an endorsement or commentary on the fitness for office of any candidate for Granville County Sheriff.
In November 2018 I requested the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts appoint a prosecutor to advise the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation during an investigation into the conduct of Sheriff Brindell B. Wilkins, and a very few members of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office.
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts appointed Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman to advise law enforcement, make charging decisions, and prosecute cases that arose from the investigation. Prosecutorial discretion rested entirely with Wake County District Attorney Freeman from November 2018 forward.
Sheriff Brindell B. Wilkins was indicted in October 2019 on indictments drawn by Wake County District Attorney Freeman. Brindell B. Wilkins stepped down from office, and Chief Deputy Sherwood Boyd fulfilled the duties of sheriff until a new sheriff could be appointed. Shortly thereafter, Charlie Noblin, Jr. was appointed Sheriff of Granville County by the Granville County Board of Commissioners for the unexpired term. Charlie Noblin, Jr. announced his candidacy for the Office of Granville County Sheriff.
I was personally and professionally familiar with Charlie Noblin, Jr. having known him most of my life. Charlie Noblin, Jr. was not involved in the allegations regarding Brindell Wilkins’ solicitation to murder Deputy Josh Freeman or the misappropriation of seized property by Brindell Wilkins and a small number of deputies. During Charlie Noblin, Jr.’s time as the appointed Sheriff we communicated frequently about work and our employees freely communicated about cases without interference from Sheriff Noblin.
Wake County District Attorney Freeman advised me that the investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation had expanded to include the falsification of training records among other things. Initially, four deputies and the Sheriff were implicated. Except for Brindell Wilkins and Chad Coffey, the other three deputies implicated in the falsification of training records continued to serve under Sheriff Noblin. Additionally, one other deputy involved in the possible misappropriation of evidence and making false statements to federal investigators continued to be employed. The decision to continue to employ these individuals was at the sole discretion of Sheriff Noblin.
The District Attorney’s Office does not take positions on whether a person is employed by a law enforcement agency or office. The law requires the District Attorney’s Office to assess the credibility of all witnesses including officers and make necessary disclosures to defendants and the Courts. In more serious cases, the District Attorney’s Office must report misconduct directly to North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards or North Carolina Sheriffs’ Training and Standards.
On October 6, 2021, Charlie Noblin, Jr. informed me that he had a possible life-threatening health issue.
That same day Wake County District Attorney Freeman sent me a letter which is attached hereto. The letter stated that in preparation for trial a cooperating witness disclosed that Sheriff Noblin “participated in submitting a firearm qualification record (Form F-9A) to the North Carolina Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission that was false, in that it reflected that he had met all firearm qualification requirements as required annually, when in fact he had not, during a period when he was on medical leave.” As this was an ongoing investigation, I was not at liberty to share this information except in the circumstance that Sheriff Noblin would be called as a witness.
On October 20, 2021, I understood Charlie Noblin, Jr. had surgery to address his diagnosis. I checked on him after his surgery.
On Friday, October 22, 2021, Wake County District Attorney Freeman contacted me by phone and stated that she intended to present indictments regarding this falsified F-9A form unless Sheriff Charlie Noblin, Jr. resigned. Under any circumstance, she would notify North Carolina Sheriff’s Training and Standards about the falsified training record.
I understood the allegation to be that Charlie Noblin, Jr. signed a F-9A form acknowledging qualification scores when in fact he had not participated in the qualification course. This time coincided with a time that I knew Charlie Noblin, Jr. to have been injured in the line of duty, and on extended medical leave. I was also aware that Charlie Noblin, Jr. had participated in several law enforcement interviews including discussions about other officers potentially subject to indictment, and Charlie Noblin, Jr. had not disclosed this issue. I also understood that Charlie Noblin, Jr. had never been asked about his personal training record, and it was not alleged that he lied to investigators in response to any specific question.
On the morning of October 26, 2021, I attended a meeting at the invitation of Granville County Attorney Jim Wrenn at his office and knew Sheriff Noblin would be in attendance. It was our intention to discuss the allegation of the falsified training record.
Sheriff Noblin drove himself to the meeting, and was in a somber mood regarding his health, but otherwise appeared to be of sound mind and thinking clearly. Granville County Attorney Wrenn told him of the allegation and Sheriff Noblin did not refute the allegation Wake County District Attorney Freeman disclosed to us; that he didn’t attend firearms qualification and yet signed the F-9A form indicating he had completed the required qualification.
Granville County Attorney Wrenn told Sheriff Noblin that the County Commissioners were deeply concerned by his certification of a F-9A for training he did not complete; his failure to disclose the issue and his failure to take disciplinary action against Granville County Sheriff’s Office employees who had engaged in extensive falsification of records. Sheriff Noblin asked if the commissioners wanted him to resign. Granville County Attorney Wrenn replied that the decision was his to make, but he should consider the best interest of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Granville County. Sheriff Noblin asked if Wake County District Attorney Freeman would prosecute him if he resigned. Granville County Attorney Wrenn stepped out and called Wake County District Attorney Freeman. Granville County Attorney Wrenn returned to the room to report that Wake District Attorney Freeman indicated that if Sheriff Noblin resigned, she would report the falsification to Training and Standards but would not prosecute him.
In good faith and in my role as what I considered to be a friend, I advised Sheriff Noblin that he could cite his health issues, and resign without having to make a public disclosure, and avoid Wake County District Attorney Freeman submitting an indictment.
In my role as District Attorney in advising law enforcement, I also stated whether he resigned or not, the information would be submitted to North Carolina Sheriff’s Training and Standards and could be revealed in the upcoming trial of former Granville County Deputy Chad Coffey.
I was informed later that evening that Charlie Noblin, Jr. resigned effective Wednesday, October 27, 2021.
I have spoken to Charlie Noblin, Jr. several times since this day. Charlie Noblin, Jr. never brought up this subject to me.
This social media post has generated substantial comment including the dissemination of false information as to the judicial proceedings against other former employees of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office.
With respect to the six employees mentioned in this release:
Federal authorities and Wake County District Attorney Freeman declined to prosecute a detective for his role in the misappropriation of evidence, and lying to federal investigators. That detective resigned prior to this office making a credibility determination. Should he return to law enforcement, those credibility allegations would be addressed prior to him being called to testify. Wake County District Attorney Freeman declined to prosecute a second detective involved in the falsification of records because of his cooperation. This office addressed his credibility issue and although he is no longer in law enforcement, an appropriate disclosure will be made should he be called to testify.
Four additional Sheriff’s Office employees were charged in connection with the falsification of records. All these cases have concluded, and they have surrendered their law enforcement certification.
Keith Campbell plead guilty and received a deferred prosecution in exchange for his cooperation. Chad Coffey and Brin Wilkins were tried and convicted of felonies. The Court of Appeals overturned the convictions citing defective indictments. Rather than face new indictments, both Chad Coffey and Brin Wilkins plead guilty to related misdemeanors. Sherwood Boyd accepted responsibility at an early stage and plead to misdemeanors for his role in the falsification of records.
Brindell Wilkins plead guilty as charged for his role in encouraging the murder of former deputy Josh Freeman. Brin Wilkins completed his sentence.
Editor’s note: The following is the letter from Freeman, addressed to District Attorney Waters and cc’d to Jim Wrenn, county attorney
October 6, 2021
Dear Mr. Waters:
As you are aware, for several years, I have been working with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in an investigation that involves your Granville County Sheriff’s office. Consistent with my sustained practice during this investigation, I am writing today to notify you of information recently obtained during this investigation which could be considered a required disclosure under U.S. v. Brady and U.S. v. Giglio and their progeny. A former employee and cooperating witness in the investigation has disclosed that the current Sheriff Charles R. Noblin participated in submitting a firearm qualification record (Form F-9A) to the North Carolina Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission that was false in that it reflected that he had met all firearm qualification requirements as required annually when he in fact had not during a period of time when he was out on medical leave. I have attached a firearm qualification record (Form F-9A) for convenience so that you can review the acknowledgement of qualification scores language that must be signed by the officer. I have confirmed that these forms were submitted for Mr. Noblin for the period in question with scores recorded for each of the required qualifications with signed acknowledgements indicating that he certified them. The report concerning this fraudulently executed form is consistent with other reports we have confirmed as to other members of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office and of which I am notifying you in separate letters.
It is important to note that at the conclusion of this investigation these allegations will be reported to the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission so that they can investigate them and if necessary, take appropriate action consistent with the Commission’s rules and regulations.
This matter is an ongoing investigation. As such, I would ask that you limit further dissemination of these allegations only as far as is necessary for you to uphold your ethical and constitutional obligations in the prosecution of cases in your district. As you are aware, the cases in which Mr. Chad Coffey has been charged have been scheduled for trial to begin January 18, 2022 there in Granville County. At this time, I would expect these allegations may form part of the evidence in that matter.
Sincerely,
N. Lorrin Freeman
Wake County District Attorney
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Editor’s Note: If you would like to review the documents, you may click here or anywhere here you see underlined to do so.
