Top Story Spotlight Former Burke County coach charged with sex crimes against student in Hickory s_johnson Sep 29, 2026 Sep 29, 2026 Updated Sep 29, 2026 0 Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save A former Burke County high school coach was arrested in Catawba County on sex charges involving a student. Rugama-Blandon kAmw6C=:?E@? #2>@? #F82>2\q=2?5@?[ ba[ @7 w:4<@CJ[ :D 492C865 H:E9 76=@?J D6I 24E H:E9 2 DEF56?E 2?5 76=@?J :?5646?E =:36CE:6D H:E9 2 DEF56?E[ 244@C5:?8 E@ 4@FCE 5@4F>6?ED]k^AmkAm#F82>2\q=2?5@? H2D 3@@<65 :? E96 r2E2H32 r@F?EJ s6E6?E:@? u24:=:EJ @? %F6D52J]k^AmkAm%96 2CC6DE H2CC2?E D2:5 #F82>2\q=2?5@? H2D 2 4@249 2E y:>>J r] sC2F89? w:89 $49@@= :? '2=56D6] #F82>2\q=2?5@? H2D 6>A=@J65 36EH66? pF8] `e[ a_ab[ 2?5 yF?6 b_[ a_ad[ qFC<6 r@F?EJ !F3=:4 $49@@=D !F3=:4 #6=2E:@?D ~77:46C r96CJ= $9F77=6C D2:5 :? 2? 6>2:= @? %F6D52J]k^Am People are also reading… Missing Black Mountain man found dead in Pisgah National Forest on Tuesday Marion man pleads guilty to killing ex-girlfriend's father at Old Fort Dollar General Givens’ Clinchfield Mill project in Marion receives $1.25 million grant for affordable housing Longer wait for Buc-ee’s: Mebane opening delayed until at least early 2028 East Marion, Blue Ridge or Marion Global? Residents can vote on new school name With 5th District race undecided, Foxx requests observers to monitor vote count Studs and duds from Carolina Panthers' Week 9 loss to Broncos Could a data center bring more revenue to McDowell County? This local leader says yes McDowell Commissioners hold special meeting Friday morning Foxx's reelection fate may come down to nearly 3,000 provisional ballots McDowell commission chairman: We have not spoken with a data center company Republicans win all the local races in McDowell County in 2026 elections McDowell County Veterans Day service set for Wednesday McDowell County commissioners hear about schedule of values Hunter's Liver Mush needs help with repairs, rising costs to keep Marion business operating kAm%96 G:4E:> H2D 2 DEF56?E 2E y:>>J r] sC2F89? w:89 $49@@= 2E E96 E:>6 @7 E96 C6A@CE65 4C:>6[ 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 2CC6DE H2CC2?E]k^AmkAm#F82>2\q=2?5@? H2D 2CC6DE65 3J E96 w:4<@CJ !@=:46 s6A2CE>6?E[ 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 2CC6DE H2CC2?E]k^AmkAmp44@C5:?8 E@ $9F77=6C[ #F82>2\q=2?5@? H2D 2 E6>A@C2CJ A2CE\E:>6 D@446C 4@249 7@C E96 D49@@= 5:DEC:4E] w6 =67E qFC<6 r@F?EJ !F3=:4 $49@@=D 2E E96 6?5 @7 E96 DAC:?8 a_ad D@446C D62D@?]k^AmkAmw6 H2D A2:5 S`[de_ :? 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AC@E64E:?8 @FC DEF56?ED 2?5 AC@G:5:?8 2 D276[ DFAA@CE:G6 6?G:C@?>6?E 7@C 6G6CJ 49:=5]”k^AmkAm#F82>2\q=2?5@? :D 36:?8 96=5 H:E9@FE 3@?5] #F82>2\q=2?5@? :D :??@46?E F?E:= AC@G6? 8F:=EJ :? 2 4@FCE @7 =2H]k^Am Sarah Johnson is the courts and breaking news reporter for the Hickory Daily Record. 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. s_johnson Author email Follow s_johnson Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Related to this story Most Popular Marion man pleads guilty to killing ex-girlfriend's father at Old Fort Dollar General The shooting happened in the parking lot of the Dollar General on Feb. 9, 2025. The man also pleaded guilty to sex crimes involved a child. Cherryville man charged in McDowell County for larceny of $2,2000 Honda ATV The four-wheeler was reported stolen on Aug. 5, according to the McDowell County Sheriff's Office. Marion woman charged with trying to steal dog from McDowell County residence The dog's owner provided footage to law enforcement of the reported breaking and entering. Marion man charged with stealing $58,000 tractor in March, arrested in October Shortly after being reported missing, the tractor was found abandoned at a property on Lawing Road in Marion. Old Fort man charged with breaking and entering at Marion warehouse A sheriff's deputy saw a man fleeing from the area following a breaking and entering report. 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s_johnson Author email Follow s_johnson Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Marion man pleads guilty to killing ex-girlfriend's father at Old Fort Dollar General The shooting happened in the parking lot of the Dollar General on Feb. 9, 2025. The man also pleaded guilty to sex crimes involved a child.
Cherryville man charged in McDowell County for larceny of $2,2000 Honda ATV The four-wheeler was reported stolen on Aug. 5, according to the McDowell County Sheriff's Office.
Marion woman charged with trying to steal dog from McDowell County residence The dog's owner provided footage to law enforcement of the reported breaking and entering.
Marion man charged with stealing $58,000 tractor in March, arrested in October Shortly after being reported missing, the tractor was found abandoned at a property on Lawing Road in Marion.
Old Fort man charged with breaking and entering at Marion warehouse A sheriff's deputy saw a man fleeing from the area following a breaking and entering report.
