Woman Sentenced On Charges Related To Caldwell County Deputy’s Shooting

CALDWELL COUNTY, NC — A woman charged in connection to the July 2018 shooting of Deputy Jordan Sherrill has been sentenced to at least 32 months in prison.

Stephanie Sipes, 41, of Lenoir, was sentenced to 32-51 months in prison after pleading guilty to Accessory After the Fact to Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury and admitting to “aggravating factors” in the shooting of Deputy Sherrill during a traffic stop.

Deputy Sherrill was shot on July 15, 2018 after pulling over Kerry Townsend for an expired tag on Cheraw Road. Sherrill was reportedly hit in the stomach and crawled back to his patrol car to call for help.

Sipes was reportedly in the car with Townsend when the shooting occurred, and the pair took off before other deputies could arrive.

On July 17, Townsend was shot and killed during a standoff with SWAT at a home on Zacks Fork Road. Townsend fired shots at team members entering the home, authorities say, and was killed when they returned fire.

Sipes was found hiding under a blanket in the living room just prior to Townsend’s death. Following her arrest, authorities say Sipes gave a detailed account of what led up to the shooting of Deputy Sherrill and how she and Townsend moved around in the time leading up to their capture.

Deputy Sherrill was taken to CMC for treatment of his injuries and has since recovered.

A third suspect, James Roberts, is also charged in connection to the crime. Officials say his case is still pending.