FORT PAYNE, Ala. April has been one of the busiest months in a while for our local Law Enforcement and Narcotics Unit. Just in the month of April alone, 68 have been arrested on drug related charges.
On Thursday, April 15th, DeKalb County Narcotics Agents, along with, DeKalb County Deputies went to a residence on County Road 1001 in Valley Head, after receiving a tip from law enforcement in Floyd County on a subject they had warrants on. Upon arrival, agents identified and made contact with the subject. A search of the residence yielded methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Fabian Ray Burrage (40 of Valley Head), Billy-Joe Bradley Kelly (22 of Rome, Ga), Chelsi Rena Nation (26 of Rome, Ga), James Colby Ray (25 of Forsyth, Ga) and Lacee Danielle Howard (23 of Rome, Ga) were charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance.
On Friday, April 16th, DeKalb County Narcotics Agents along with DeKalb County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on County Road 683 and County Road 1023 in Sylvania finding methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Gregory Scott Blansit (29 of Ider) and Shawn Blake Hartline (39 of Ider) were both charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance.
On the same day, DeKalb County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Hall Street and Woodrow Terrance in Collinsville, finding the driver to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Barry Scott McClellan (41 of Collinsville) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Narcotics Agents were called to assist.
Also, on Friday, DeKalb County Narcotics Agents were in the area of Gregory Avenue in Collinsville when they noticed John Junior Orr (54 of Collinsville) in a drug transaction. When agents approached Orr, he attempted to fight with the agents. Orr was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x2), Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting Arrest and Assault 2nd. Danny Lane Hill (62 of Collinsville) was charged with Theft of Property 4th, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x2), Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
On Sunday, April 18th, DeKalb County Deputies, along with Crossville Police Officers, Geraldine Police Officers, Boaz Police Officers and Marshall County Deputies, executed a search warrant at a location on County Road 104 in the Crossville area finding a chicken fighting operation in progress. Oscary Bautista-Gascia (42 of Clarksville, Ga) was charged with Cockfighting, Cruelty to Animals and Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Beverage.
On Tuesday, April 20th, DeKalb County Narcotics Agents, Geraldine Officers and DeKalb County Deputies attempted to stop a vehicle on County Road 482 in Geraldine. The driver of the vehicle led the officers on a short pursuit, but was eventually stopped. Michael Totherow (30 of Boaz) was charged with Reckless Endangerment and Attempt to Elude Police.
On Wednesday, April 21st, Dylan Ray O’Dell (20 of Crossville) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Attempt to Elude Police. DeKalb County Deputies along with Geraldine Officers and Fyffe Officers were led on a brief pursuit by O’Dell after they had attempted to pull him over on County Road 482 in Geraldine. In the vehicle with O’Dell were two juveniles, aged 16 and 17. Marijuana and drug paraphernalia was found in the vehicle. Juvenile officers were called and both juveniles were charged accordingly.
Again, on Wednesday, DeKalb County Narcotics Agents were called to the DeKalb County Detention Center as Corrections Officers were booking an inmate in, they found her to be in possession of marijuana. Whitney Ann Ussery (33 of Collinsville) was charged with Promoting Prison Contraband 2nd.
On Thursday, April 22nd, DeKalb County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on County Road 169 in the Kilpatrick area. During the stop, deputies identified the driver, Calvin Leeroy Welden, Jr (50 of Trenton, Ga), to have outstanding warrants. Deputies also found Welden to be in possession of methamphetamine. Welden was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Narcotics Agents were called in to assist.
On Friday, April 23rd, DeKalb County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Al Hwy 75. Zaza Red and Kratom was found in the vehicle. Alan Christopher Jones (36 of Cartersville) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance.
Also, on Friday, the National Park Service called requesting assistance from the DeKalb County Narcotics Unit after stopping a vehicle and finding around two pounds of synthetic marijuana. Nicholas Lydon Orr (21 of Gadsden), fled the scene on foot but returning a short time later. Orr was charged with Trafficking in Any Illegal Drug, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Attempt to Elude Police.
On Saturday, April 24th, Alabama State Troopers were conducting a safety check point on County Road 97. When ALEA ran a check on Landon Cole Frazier (38 of Henagar) they discovered he had outstanding warrants with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. During the arrest, Frazier was found to be in possession of synthetic marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Frazier was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Narcotics Agents were called to assist.
Also, on Saturday, Henagar Police Officers conducted a traffic stop and found the driver of the vehicle to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Christie Bethune Wood (47 of Henagar) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Narcotics Agents were called to assist.
On Monday, April 26th, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic stop on US Hwy 11 South in the Collinsville area. After stopping the subject, they discovered he had outstanding warrants with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. The driver was also found to be in possession of Synthetic marijuana. Daniel Leon Cruz (36 of Collinsville) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Tuesday, April 27th, DeKalb County Narcotics Agents conducted a traffic stop on Chavies Road in Rainsville. During the stop, agents detected the smell of alcohol. During a search of the vehicle, agents found methamphetamine, ZaZa Reds and marijuana. Charles David Campbell (41 of Trinity) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x2) and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Michael Robert Kennedy (36 of Moulton) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On the same day, the National Park Service called the DeKalb County Narcotics Agents to assist them with a subject they had pulled over on Hwy 35 at the DeKalb/Cherokee Country Line. Park Rangers found Elijah Micah Vaught (25 of Woodstock, Ga) to be in possession of edibles and 50 grams of marijuana. Vaught was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Thursday, April 29th, DeKalb County Narcotics Agents went to a residence on 15th Street SW in Fort Payne to serve a warrant. While there, agents found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the residence. Mary Jane Biddle (53 of Fort Payne) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Friday, April 30th, DeKalb County Narcotics Agents received information that a local Tattoo Parlor on Gault Ave North in Fort Payne may be involved in either selling or smoking marijuana at the business. During the search, agents found marijuana. Due to a child being present, DHR was called to assist. Desarae Marie Chavvin (38 of Fort Payne) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Also on Friday, DeKalb County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Hwy 35 in Fort Payne, finding the driver to have multiple warrants with DCSO. James Douglas Craft III (44 of Fort Payne) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. During the arrest, Craft was found to be in possession of Tramadol, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Narcotics Agents were called to assist.
DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the incident: “This only goes to show just how big of a drug problem we have, not only in DeKalb County, but everywhere you look. Working together and staying vigilant is the only way we will ever win this war on drugs and by the looks of it, we have a good start.”
“God Bless!” Concluded Sheriff Welden.
