FORT PAYNE, Ala —This past month was productive for the DeKalb County Narcotics Unit, which arrested 26 people on charges related to narcotics.
On Thursday, February 6, DeKalb (Ala.) sheriff's deputies along with narcotics agents conducted a traffic stop on Highway 75 in Rainsville. A search of the vehicle revealed methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Terry Jacob Dutton, 27, of Rainsville, and James Hairston, 36, of Prattville, Ala., were both arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Drug Paraphernalia.
On Friday, February 7, deputies received a call of an assault and robbery that occurred in the Hammondville area. Interdiction agents were in the area and spotted the vehicle in question. After stopping the vehicle, suspects Melvin Moss (;eft), 29, of Valley Head, and Edward Owens, 30, of Fort Payne, were located within the vehicle. After a search of the vehicle and an investigation, investigators charged both suspects with Robbery 1st Degree, Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Carrying a Pistol without a Permit.
On Thursday, February 13, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the Powell area on Jerry Little, 41, of Scottsboro, and the Narcotics Unit was called out for assistance. After their arrival, Little was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Tuesday, February 17, a Henagar police officer had a subject run on foot on County Road 85 in the Fort Payne area. The suspect was later found and arrested. The Narcotics unit arrived on scene to assist and identified the subject as Ryan Burt, 28, of Henagar. He was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Attempting to Elude.
On the same day, during a traffic stop on Highway 35 near Powell, agents found cocaine, MDMA (Ecstasy) and Clonazepam. Jessica Brown, 32, of Birmingham, was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x3) and Drug Paraphernalia.
On Tuesday, February 18, deputies went to a residence in the Whiton area on an arrest warrant. While there, they found marijuana at the residence. The Narcotics Unit was called to the scene, and Alexander Mosely, 28, of Geraldine, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree.
On Wednesday, February 25, interdiction agents made a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 68 and Highway 168 in Kilpatrick. During the stop, agents found methamphetamine and marijuana. Matthew Patterson, 29, of Albertville, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Thursday, February 27, narcotics agents conducted a search warrant on Willow Road in Ider. During the search, methamphetamine was found as well as drug paraphernalia. Chris Holcomb, 46, of Ider, and Quanda Franks, 49, of Fort Payne, were arrested. While conducting the search warrant, a white male ran from the residence. The suspect was identified as Ethan Phillips, 27, of Henagar, who was later apprehended.
All three were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Phillips was also charged with Attempting to Elude, Tampering with Evidence, and Loitering in a Drug House.
On Friday, February 28th, while working in the Mentone area regarding drug complaints, agents found themselves in a high-speed pursuit that started on Highway 117 and ended on County Road 642. The driver and passenger both fled on foot. The driver was later identified as a white male juvenile from Georgia. Warrants were obtained for their arrest.
While in the Shiloh Crossroads area on the on the same date, deputies were following up on leads of drug activity. Arnold Bunch, 58, of Higdon, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Narcotics agents assisted in the case.
Also on the 28th, Narcotics Agents and Deputies assisted the Collinsville Police Department at the Traveler’s Inn on a traffic stop. Christopher Madden, 50, of Collinsville, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
While at the Traveler’s Inn, agents conducted a search and arrested the manager, Damacio Sanchez, 49, of Collinsville, on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Later on the same day, agents were called back to the Traveler’s Inn in Collinsville after receiving a complaint of additional drug activity. Austin Medlock, 21, of Fort Payne, and Autumn McKinney, 20, of Collinsville, were found in possession of synthetic marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Both were arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Saturday, February 29, narcotics agents were investigating reports of suspicious activity on County Road 3 in the Whiton area. As part of the investigation, agents attempted to make a traffic stop. The vehicle fled agents and the pursuit entered Marshall County, ending with the driver fleeing on foot on Pea Ridge Road.
The Albertville Police Department arrived to assist. After a search of a wooded area, Anthony Patton, 37, of Cullman, was located. Patton was arrested for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia after 24 grams of methamphetamine were located.
On Monday, March 2, deputies responded to a call regarding a fight near Kilpatrick. During the investigation, deputies recovered xanax, marijuana and assorted drug paraphernalia. Narcotics agents were called to the scene and arrested Iban Lopes Rios, 20, of Rainsville, for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Also on the same day, a traffic stop by the Narcotics Unit in the Kilpatrick area yielded the seizure of 93 oxycodone pills, methamphetamine, suboxone and other controlled substances.
Justin Sims, 34, of Albertville, was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Opiates, Possession of a Controlled Substance (x3), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Tuesday, March 3, narcotics agents stopped a vehicle in the Rainsville area. During the stop, marijuana was located within the vehicle. Austin Riley Rothell, 20, of Fort Payne, was charged with Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Monday, March 9, narcotics agents made a traffic stop in the Rainsville area, during the stop they found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Hervey Lamar, 39, of Rainsville, was arrested and charged Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Tuesday, March 10, a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle around Lebanon. While attempting to do so, a passenger jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot. The passenger, Shawn Galloway, 41, of Fyffe, was later caught and charged with Attempt to Elude, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tampering with Evidence and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia after the narcotics unit arrived and assisted on the case.
Later on the same day, agents conducted a search warrant at a residence on McCurdy Avenue in Rainsville. During the search, methamphetamine was located as well as drug paraphernalia. Arrested were Chasaty Johnson, 37, of Rainsville, David Wharton, 33, of Rainsville, and Sonja Gonzalez, 37, of Rainsville.
All were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said: “This is another great month of work for our narcotics unit. Even though we are currently facing the COVID-19 outbreak, they are continuing their hard work to fight illegal narcotics in our communities.”
“Despite the current events, our deputies, narcotics agents, and investigators will continue the hard work they do. It’s necessary to ensure our roadways and citizens stay safe,” he said.
