Buncombe court security officer charged with stopping wife's 911 call
A Buncombe County sheriff's deputy assigned to court security has been charged with stopping his wife from making a 911 call, while his wife has been charged with assault for biting him and is under a domestic violence protective order.
Deputy Billy Nathaniel Watkins, 54, was arrested Feb. 21 and charged with interfering with an emergency communication "by taking (Leigh Ann King's) phone once she said she was going to call police," according to a magistrate's order. Deputy Mike Buckner was listed as the arresting officer.
King, 51, who was married to Watkins in 2010, according to county records, and shares an address in Swannanoa with him on Oneil Circle, was charged on the same date with assaulting Watkins "by biting him about his forearm." She was arrested by Deputy Ashley Edwards, according to a separate magistrate's order.
Watkins was released from jail on a written promise to appear. Buncombe Magistrate B.J. Wadhams recommended King be released on a written promise, finding she had no criminal history involving domestic violence. But because of state domestic violence protection laws regarding assaults on spouses, King was held longer, and special release conditions determined. She was let out of jail on a $2,000 bond and ordered to have only "Peaceful contact" with Watkins and not to "assault, threaten or harass" him.
Asked about Watkins' employment status, Sheriff Quentin Miller's spokesperson Aaron Sarver said, "Deputy Watkins is on paid administrative leave pending review."
The Citizen Times has requested Watkins' personnel file.
The Citizen Times on Feb. 23 called, emailed and texted numbers and addresses listed for King and Watkins. Messages were also left with King's attorney Delia Ledesma. Court records did not list an attorney for Watkins.
Watkins' 911 interference charge is a class A1 misdemeanor that can carry up to 60 days in jail for those with no prior convictions. King's simple assault charge is a Class 2 misdemeanor that can carry up to a 30-day sentence for those with clean records.
Watkins is expected in administrative court the first week of April. King's next appearance is April 3 in Buncombe County District Court.
Prosecution of both cases will be handled by the North Carolina Attorney General's office after Buncombe District Attorney Todd Williams said he faced a conflict of interest.
"Mr. Watkins is in court with us day-by-day and with my staff, and that is a conflict of interest," Williams said.
Williams said he was alerted about the charges around 7 p.m. Feb. 21 by Chief Deputy Herbert Blake.
AG Josh Stein spokesperson Nazneen Ahmed confirmed Stein's office was handling the cases but declined further comment.
In 2018, shortly before Christmas, Watkins and his family lost their home to a fire, according to a news release from that time sent out by county government, encouraging donations to assist the family. Watkins at that time had been with the sheriff's office six years, the release said.
More: Former Buncombe County sheriff deputy pleads guilty to solicitation of prostitution
Answer Woman: Can average folks volunteer with Asheville police or sheriff's office?
Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe court security officer charged with stopping wife's 911 call
