A Conover man will spend up to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to a series of property crimes that included cases in Avery and Mitchell counties.
According to the Catawba County District Attorney’s Office, 28-year-old Noah Daniel Garrett pleaded guilty to charges stemming from incidents in Catawba, Avery, Mitchell, Iredell and Gaston counties that occurred between October 2023 and March 2025.
Authorities say several of the crimes in Avery and Mitchell counties involved the misappropriation of heavy machinery and attempts to fraudulently resell that equipment. Investigators also say some victims were individuals impacted by Hurricane Helene who were targeted through fraudulent activity.
Garrett’s father, Virgil Garrett, was also charged as part of the investigation.
Following the guilty plea, Superior Court Judge Sherri W. Elliott sentenced Garrett to between eight and 11 years in prison.
Garrett pleaded guilty to felony obtaining property by false pretense of more than $100,000, 16 additional counts of obtaining property by false pretense, three counts of felony conversion, two counts of felony larceny, felony conspiracy and felony possession of stolen goods.
In addition to the prison sentence, Garrett must pay nearly $265,000 in restitution to businesses and individuals affected by the crimes, some of which will be paid jointly with a co-defendant.
(Photo courtesy Avery County Sheriffs Department)