Judge approves nuisance abatement agreement requiring occupants to vacate 482 Morningside Lake Road and property owners to sell the site by Aug. 31
RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. — A Rutherford County property linked to years of alleged criminal activity, drug offenses and multiple deaths will be sold under a court-approved nuisance abatement agreement following a joint investigation by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (NCALE) agents.
The Rutherford County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on June 4 to authorize legal action against the property at 482 Morningside Lake Road near Forest City after authorities concluded it constituted a public nuisance under North Carolina law. The action culminated in consent judgments and a final order of abatement signed June 17 by Chief Resident Superior Court Judge J. Thomas Davis, also known as Tommy Davis.
Under the court order, current occupant Robert Huskey must permanently vacate the property within 60 days, while the property’s legal owners — heirs of the late James Neal Bridges Jr. — must list it for sale by Aug. 31, 2026. Any prospective purchaser must be approved by the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners before the sale can close.
The case was brought under Chapter 19 of the North Carolina General Statutes, which allows civil action against properties associated with repeated criminal conduct that threatens public health, safety and welfare.
According to court records and affidavits filed by investigators, law enforcement officials alleged the property had been used for years as a location for drug use, drug sales, violence, and other criminal activity, including gang activity. Authorities cited incidents including drug overdoses, assaults, shootings, complaints of gunfire, and repeated narcotics investigations.
The property’s history gained statewide attention in late 2021 when authorities investigated the deaths of Jason Van Dyke, 44, and Tracey McKinney, 42, whose remains were discovered in a burn pile on the property. Matthew Thomas Cooley was later convicted of first-degree murder in Van Dyke’s death and sentenced to life in prison. (NC Judicial Branch Odyssey Justice eCourts portal case number 22CR000020-800)
In a July 1 statement, Rutherford County Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg said the nuisance abatement action was aimed at improving public safety.
“At the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, our top priority is the safety and well-being of our citizens,” Ellenburg said. “We know that persistent illegal activity at a single location can negatively impact the peace of mind of an entire neighborhood.”
Investigators described the property as a longstanding public safety concern. In affidavits filed with the court, Detective Jonathan Clayton and Deputy Carter Hensley wrote that the location had developed a reputation among law enforcement as a place associated with drug activity, stolen property and individuals attempting to evade arrest. Both officers stated deputies generally did not respond to the property alone because of safety concerns.
Court records indicate that James Neal Bridges Jr. purchased the property before his death in 2005. The property subsequently passed to his heirs. According to the complaint, Robert Huskey had occupied the property for approximately 15 years under an alleged rental arrangement, though investigators stated they were unable to locate documentation of any written lease agreement.
The court order also prohibits the property from being transferred to family members or to anyone previously involved in nuisance-related activities at the site. If the nuisance activity continues and the court determines the owners have not made a good-faith effort to abate it, Rutherford County may petition for forfeiture of the property under state law.
County officials said the coordinated enforcement effort is intended to permanently end criminal activity at the property and reduce its impact on surrounding residents and emergency responders.
More information may be found on the NCDPS NCALE statement, Sheriff’s Office statement and eCourts Case No. 26CV000954-800.
This story has been updated.
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