MORGAN COUNTY — For the second time in less than six months, the former leadership structure of the Gregg Township Fire Department has completely collapsed into scandal following the arrest of its former Deputy Chief on dozens of felony child sex crimes.
Charles “Charlie” Heflin, 57, of Mooresville, was arrested following a violent armed confrontation with police executing a warrant out of Morgan County. Heflin faces 55 felony counts, including child exploitation, possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and dozens of counts of voyeurism. The warrant also brought severe emergency charges, including resisting law enforcement and illegal possession of a handgun.
The sweeping arrest follows a parallel scandal from February, when former Gregg Township Fire Chief Roger Kemp was arrested for possessing child pornography. Investigators at the time alleged Kemp secretly recorded himself molesting a minor and preserved the images for decades.
The charges against Heflin were officially filed in Morgan County court on Thursday, June 4, and an arrest warrant was dispatched the following morning. On Friday, June 5, tactical officers descended on two Mooresville properties attempting to intercept Heflin and his girlfriend, identified as 45-year-old Angela VanMatre.
According to court records detailing the apprehension, the situation quickly escalated to the brink of gunfire when officers made contact with Heflin.
Heflin reportedly began repeating the phrase, “I cannot go to jail,” before drawing a handgun and aiming it directly at the arresting officers. Police were forced to physically tackle and disarm Heflin. While being subdued, Heflin allegedly shouted, “Just give me one bullet,” indicating he wished to end his life rather than face the judicial system.
VanMatre was also taken into custody during the raid. Described by prosecutors as a direct co-defendant in Heflin’s operation, she faces a litany of charges:
- Conspiracy to Commit Child Exploitation (Level 4 Felony)
- Conspiracy to Commit Voyeurism (Level 6 Felony)
- Aiding, Inducing, or Causing Voyeurism — Two Counts (Level 6 Felony)
- Voyeurism (Level 6 Felony)
While a completed probable cause affidavit outlining the explicit specifics of the victims has not yet been unsealed by the Morgan County Prosecutor’s Office, the formal charging sheets enumerate an immense volume of individual offenses:
- Child Exploitation (Level 4 Felony)
- Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material — 8 Counts (Level 6 Felony)
- Voyeurism — 46 Counts (Level 6 Felony)
During an initial court hearing, a judge set a massive split bond for Heflin. He is currently being held in the Morgan County Jail on a $250,000 surety plus $50,000 cash bond in his primary case, along with an additional $10,000 surety and $1,200 cash bond for the resisting arrest and weapons infractions. His formal jury trial is scheduled to begin on October 27, with a pre-trial tracking date set for August 10.
VanMatre’s bond was set at $10,000 surety plus $600 cash.
The consecutive arrests of Chief Kemp and Deputy Chief Heflin have sent shockwaves through the local community, forcing the Gregg Township Fire Department to completely restructure its operations.
In an emergency public address issued following the raid, the department’s newly appointed leadership emphasized that the organization has severed all ties with its former command staff, operating entirely under a freshly implemented municipal administration.
“While Charles Heflin did serve as Deputy Chief of the previous organization, he has not been a part of the current Gregg Township Fire Department, which was recently formed under new leadership,” the department’s statement read. “He has had no role or affiliation with this administration at any time.”
The department acknowledged that the criminal behavior occurred while Heflin wore the township’s uniform, but noted that current leadership has spent months working hand-in-hand with state and county detectives to uncover the evidence.
“The alleged actions of the former Fire Chief Kemp and now new charges against former Deputy Chief Heflin do not in any way reflect the values, beliefs, or standards of the new administration,” the department added. “We ask for the public’s understanding and patience as we continue to work tirelessly to rebuild the trust this community deserves.”
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
