Andrews alderman beer stealing case delayed again
By Dwight Otwell Editor

The case of an Andrews alderman accused of stealing a six-pack of beer has been delayed again.

Steve Jordan was due in court on December 5 but the case was continued until January 23 in the District Court of Cherokee County.

Jordan, 42, was arrested this past summer after a sixpack of beer was carried by his friend, Lee Boyd Sosebee, 76, from White's Solo, located on U.S. Highway 19, on a Sunday morning. Jordan and Sosebee were in the store about 11:30 a.m. Beer cannot be legally sold in North Carolina until noon on Sundays.

Jordan previously said he wasn't aware of the beer until over two hours after the alleged incident. The entire incident was a mistake, he stated.

Jordan, in an August interview with the Sentinel, explained what happened on that sunday morning. He and Sosebee were in the store abut 11:30 a.m. and Sosebee is hard of hearing.

"I was talking to a woman and L.B. thought I paid for the beer," Jordan said. "We went to Foster's Flea market and played music for about an hour. We started up the road and L.B. reached down and got a beer. I said, 'L.B. Where did you get that beer?' He said, 'You paid for it.' I said, 'No I didn't'."

Jordan said Sosebee had no money and asked if Jordan would pay for it. Jordan agreed and they went back to the store. Jordan said he told the store clerk what had happened and he paid for the beer.

"She said 'that is fine. I'm glad you came back'." Jordan said.

Two days later, Andrews Mayor Johnny Brown told Jordan that they were accusing him of stealing beer. Brown told him that the sheriff had a warrant for his arrest.

Jordan turned himself into law enforcement. "I do not steal," Jordan said. "I'm on the board of aldermen to help people."