General election is 6 1/2 months away
Brad Hoxit
Robbinsville – Exactly two weeks after a judge's order removed Brad Hoxit from office, the former sheriff has appealed the verdict.
Filed in the Graham County Clerk of Court's Office at 11:21 a.m., Monday, the one-page notice is succinct and also notes a certificate of service to District Attorney Ashley Welch – who first brought civil charges against Hoxit on Jan. 29.
"TAKE NOTICE That Harold Bradford Hoxit, Sheriff of Graham County, the Defendant in this matter DOES HEREBY GIVE NOTICE OF APPEAL from the ORDER of the Honorable Judge William T. Stetzer dated April 6, 2026 and filed with the Clerk of Court in Graham County of Graham County, North Carolina on April 6, 2026; said order being more particularly described as the ORDER OF REMOVAL of Brad Hoxit from his elected position as Sheriff of Graham County, North Carolina," the notice reads.
The appeal states that Welch was served notice of the appeal via first-class mail.
Stetzer deliberated just over a week after a four-day hearing in Graham County Superior Court regarding the case State of North Carolina v. Harold Bradford Hoxit, which took place March 24-27. Based in Guilford County, Stetzer took on the case after District 43A Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Tessa Sellers recused herself from presiding over the proceedings.
However, Sellers did sign Welch's 53-page petition for removal and motion to immediately suspend Hoxit from office, which alleged that Hoxit committed repeated acts of willful misconduct or maladministration in office, in violation of N.C. G.S. 128-16(2); as well as engaged in corruption of office and extortion, pursuant to N.C. G.S. 128-16(4).
The state's case revolved around an investigation Hoxit had the Graham County Sheriff's Office launch against Graham County Commissioner Jacob Nelms last year, regarding alleged violations of Nelms' duties in his role as the county's building inspector. Hoxit is now married to Nelms' ex-wife – though testimony provided during last month's hearing indicates the couple has separated.
Eventually, the investigation expanded to include the N.C. Department of Insurance and the District Attorney's Office.
Stetzer issued a 12-page order April 6, which ultimately set a precedent in North Carolina. No sheriff has ever requested a court hearing over a removal order.
Stetzer also said that the former sheriff's actions should warrant a Giglio letter and a notification to the Criminal Justice Standards Division, per N.C. G.S. 17C-16.
"Hoxit's conduct, as disclosed during these proceedings, failed to maintain the dignity and honor his office required of him," Stetzer said. "The Court concludes that Hoxit's misconduct resulted in the misuse of public resources of Graham County, the NC DOI, the NC Office of the Attorney General, and two superior court judges.
"The Court concludes that the use of official resources to conduct a personal investigation constitutes conduct of ill repute that undermines public confidence in law enforcement and demeans the dignity and integrity of the office of sheriff."
The Graham County Board of Commissioners appointed Russell Moody to serve as temporary sheriff Feb. 23.
Prior to the filing of Monday's appeal, The Graham Star reached out to the law office of Stephen P. Lindsay – which represented Hoxit in the case – in an attempt to verify regional reports that an appeal was going to be filed, as well as receive comments on how quickly the defense thought the appeal process might occur. At press time, no response had been received.
An Unaffiliated candidate, Hoxit did not qualify for the Nov. 3 general election – which is when a permanent sheriff will be elected. Caleb Stiles won the Republican primary vote March 3 and will be contested by Democratic nominee Reba LouAnn McMahan.
To read our extensive coverage on this case, call 828-479-3383 or visit grahamstar.com to subscribe – which will provide access to our online reports.