Sarah Scully, Anchor/Reporter
Plea deal offer to Coy Phillips, possible move to Buncombe County Jail
UPDATE: NC State Bureau of Investigation Chad Flowers confirmed in a Sept. 17 phone call that Phillips is still under open investigation until adjudicated. “The case will remain open until case is adjudicated completely. The SBI continues to take information until the case is closed.”
ORIGINAL STORY:
Attorney Sean Devereux said Sept. 17 that Madison District Attorney Seth Banks has offered a plea deal to his client, former Madison County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Coy Phillips, who is currently in Avery County Jail awaiting trial for five felonies and two misdemeanors allegedly committed while serving as a cop under Sheriff “Buddy” Harwood.
Devereux spoke outside the courthouse with a request not to show his face while recording.
“The DA’s office, Mr. Banks, has extended a plea offer which we’re gonna look at. If Mr. Phillips declines that and we’re going to trial, I think we’ll try to have a bond, get him out on bond before trial,” said Devereux.
Brandi Deyton, working for Banks’ office, said in a Sept. 17 text message that “Under the rules of professional conduct for lawyers, our office cannot comment on pending cases.”
Uncuffed sitting in an office chair and clothed in an orange jumpsuit, looking thin with a short haircut, Phillips appeared virtually at the Madison County Courthouse from Avery County Jail this morning for an administrative hearing where Devereux requested moving Phillips from Avery to Buncombe County Jail to better prepare for his trial.
“Buncombe County may not be too receptive,” said Judge Thomas Davis to Devereux.
Devereux said he would ask Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller.
“Theoretically, he’s in the custody of the Madison County sheriff. They’re housing him in Avery County. He’s an officer here so I guess they didn’t want him here in the jail where he previously served,” said Devereux.
He continued, “But Madison will have to agree if they’re gonna move him to Buncombe. I’m just trying to get him closer.”
Banks said during the hearing that quote “discovery is substantially complete” and was turned over from his office to Devereux late last week. He recommended Nov. 19 as the next administrative hearing.
“Extensive discovery which I need to review with Mr. Phillips, and it’s hard doing that when he’s in Newland and I’m in Asheville,” said Devereux.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation arrested Phillips June 25 for involuntary servitude, assaulting a fellow officer with an AR-15, and giving alcohol, drugs, tobacco and a weapon to an inmate. Phillips left the sheriff’s office Sept. 18, 2025.
Devereux added in the hearing’s final moments to tell Phillips he’d be up soon to see him.
Phillips said, “Uh, yes sir, thank you, Mr. Devereux. Thank you, Judge.”
Devereux said in a phone call Aug. 2 that he expected the trial to start in Madison County in early 2027.
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