Man Charged with Molesting a Fire Extinguisher System near Downtown Square

On February 2, 2024, Officers with the Morganton Department of Public Safety were dispatched to 102 E Union Street (The Historic Burke County Courthouse) for a vandalism call. Upon arrival, units located Joshua Daniel Sanders, 27, of Morganton in the area. Upon interviewing Sanders and reviewing surveillance footage in the area, officers determined that Sanders had broken into and damaged a fire extinguisher housing unit. Sanders then proceeded to willfully misuse and discharge the extinguisher into the grounds of the Courthouse square.  This safety device had to be removed out of service due to the damage. Sanders was arrested and charged with the following:

NCGS § 14-286 – Molesting a Fire Extinguisher System

Sanders did not receive a bond due to North Carolina's new pretrial integrity act (charged with a new offense while on pretrial release). Sanders’ first court appearance is set for March 25, 2024 at 9:00am.