FROM STAFF REPORTS
The wife of a murder suspect who was shot and killed by Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputies during a standoff early Sunday morning faces numerous charges as the result of an ongoing investigation.
Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Ashlee Louise Klepfer, 40, of Ostwalt Amity Road, Troutman, in a news release Wednesday.
Klepfer is the wife of Justin Strawser, who was suspected in the murders of two men at a residence off Home Drive near Mooresville on Saturday. She was arrested on Tuesday.
During the investigation, ICSO homicide investigators obtained evidence indicating Klepfer had “some involvement by aiding her husband” after he killed Eduardo Cordova, 22, of Mooresville and Caleb Loper, 24, of Lincolnton, according to the news release. A third individual was also critically injured in the shooting at the Home Drive residence.
Three deputies opened fire, fatally wounding Strawser, after the suspect began shooting in the direction of deputies after gas was introduced into his home in an effort to end the standoff, the sheriff said.
Investigators also determined Klepfer allowed four juveniles inside her home at 1580 Ostwalt Amity Road to have access to firearms during the ICSO standoff with her husband, which began about three hours after the shooting and lasted about eight hours, Campbell said.
On Tuesday, homicide investigators obtained warrants charging Klepfer with felony accessory after the fact, four counts of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and four counts of failure to secure firearms from a minor.
ICSO Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team deputies located Klepfer and arrested her during a traffic stop in Statesville. She was in the company of 15-year-old male juvenile who was found in possession of a loaded handgun and methamphetamine, according to the news release.
The juvenile was also taken into custody, and a secure custody order was issued by the N.C. Department of Juvenile Justice.
Klepfer was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where she was charged with felony accessory after the fact, felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine, two misdemeanor drug offenses, five counts of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and four counts of misdemeanor fail to secure a firearm from a minor.
Klepfer appeared before Magistrate R. Imes, who issued a no bond because Klepfer was out of jail on bond for a previous charge of school attendance law violation.
The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate this incident; more charges could be filed.
Related
♦ Sheriff: Suspect in double homicide shot and killed by ICSO deputies during standoff