Local

Fourth person charged in Union Co woman’s homicide, sheriff says

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A fourth person has been charged in the death of Union County mother Alison Thomas, according to a release from the sheriff’s office.

On Wednesday afternoon, deputies with the Union County Sheriff’s Office got a warrant for the arrest of Shawn Adkins, 29, from Hinton, West Virginia, and charged him with conspiracy to commit murder.

The sheriff’s office worked with the United States Marshal Service, specifically the Carolina Fugitive Regional Task Force.

Adkins was arrested by the U.S. Marshals in Hinton and is currently waiting for extradition to North Carolina.


PREVIOUS COVERAGE

3 charged in death of Monroe mother, deputies say

‘Something is awry’: 37-year-old mom, sister reported missing in Union County

Body of missing Monroe woman found in Nantahala National Forest


Adkins joins Brandon Kisiah and Amanda Griffin, who were also charged with conspiracy to commit murder and Michael Kasminoff who was charged with first-degree kidnapping and murder in addition to conspiracy.

Kasminoff was “restraining the victim” and “terrorizing Alison Thia Thomas,” according to arrest warrants under the kidnapping charge.

Authorities have not released information regarding the connection between the suspects.

However, Thomas knew some of the people involved, said Tony Underwood, chief deputy at the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

“We know she knew some of them well,” Underwood told Channel 9 Tuesday. “She knew others I don’t know.”

Court documents list Kisiah and Griffin as living a few houses apart on the same rural country road in Union County.

Kasminoff’s address is in a neighborhood in Indian Trail. Channel 9 went to the address Thursday to see if friends or family members wanted to share their stories. However, no one answered the door.

Neighbors said Kasminoff packed up and left late one night a few weeks ago and hasn’t been seen at the house since. They also said Kasminoff was a bail bondsman and owned Quick Release Bail Bonds in Monroe.

Channel 9 went to the business, which said it was open online, but the door was locked.

Although there have been multiple arrests, the sheriff’s office said its investigation is ongoing. Earlier this week, the sheriff’s office said there could be more arrests and believe more people know what happened.

“If you are withholding information or you are helping conceal evidence of a crime, you are putting yourself at a very perilous position,” Underwood said. “The best thing to do is come forward with information and let us sort that out.”

Griffin and Kisiah have a number of assault charges, according to criminal records.

Kisminoff has charges related to bail bonds and traffic violations.

(WATCH BELOW: Death of missing Union County woman ruled a homicide)