Kilpatrick Shooting Suspect Quickly Apprehended

From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: FORT PAYNE, Ala.- On Thursday, February 26th, 2026, a Dekalb County Deputy and the Dekalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit was notified by Dekalb 911 Dispatch that a male resident of Dekalb County had recently been brought to Marshall Medical Center South suffering from a…

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Multi-State Fuel Theft Suspect Arrested

FORT PAYNE, Ala.- On Monday, February 2nd, at approximately 2:20AM a Dekalb County Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a U-HAUL van traveling eastbound on HWY 117 in Mentone near East River Road. During the traffic stop, the deputy noticed the driver was hauling large tanks containing approximately 600 gallons of diesel fuel stowed improperly…

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Forgery Operation Shut Down in Fort Payne

01/30/2026 Forgery Operation Shut Down in Fort Payne FORT PAYNE, Ala. – Recently, the DeKalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit has been investigating reports of a forgery operation that was being conducted out of a residence on Mims Street in Fort Payne. On Thursday, January 29th, Agents conducted a traffic stop in relation to…

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DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Assists Homeland Security in Arrest of Registered Sex Offender

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office assisted Homeland Security Investigations in the apprehension of a registered sex offender with a final order of deportation. Nixon Rubilio-Mayen was taken into custody without incident. Rubilio-Mayen was the subject of a final order of deportation and is now in the custody of Homeland Security Investigators….

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Fort Payne Police Activity Report November 7th – 9th

Date: 11/10/2025Title: Press ReleasePosted By: Fort Payne Police Department                            SUBJECT: Activity for November 7 thru November 9, 2025 Friday November 7th        Incidents 3 Arrests Kenny Ladon Blalock, age 59 of Henagar, was arrested on a Warrant for Outside Agency at 11:25 am Stephen Jerome Schafer, age 62 of Valley Head, was arrested for Pubic…

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Fort Payne Police Department Activity Report October 10 2025

Date: 10/10/2025Title: Press ReleasePosted By: Fort Payne Police Department                            SUBJECT: Activity for October 6 through October 9, 2025 Monday October 6th Incidents 2 Arrests Nathan Lamar Hamilton, age 44 of Fort Payne, was arrested on a Warrant for Outside Agency at 1:17 am Ronald Wayne Atkins, age 45 of Centre, was arrested on Two Warrants…

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101 Grams of Methamphetamine, Fentanyl and Marijuana Seized

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – On Monday, October 6th, the DeKalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit culminated a lengthy narcotics investigation which resulted in multiple arrests.  The DeKalb County Special Response Team (SRT) executed a search warrant at a residence on Hammonds Road in Fyffe and seized 101 grams of methamphetamine, fentanyl, marijuana and numerous…

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Latest Information From Internal Investigation at DeKalb County Detention Center

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office is providing an update regarding the recent internal investigation at the DeKalb County Jail. Corrections Lt. Evan Blayne Wilborn (38 of Rainsville) was arrested and charged with Voyeurism 1st (x6).  Wilborn was transported and held in Cherokee County Jail, per DCSO policy. Evan Blayne Wilborn (38 of Rainsville) The investigation remains…

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Attorney General Marshall Announces Conviction of Former State Employee for the Theft of Over $100,000 from Alabama Medicaid Agency

(Montgomery, Ala) – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced today that a former employee of the Alabama Medicaid Agency has been convicted for the theft of over $100,000 in public funds. Natalie Colette Lewis, 60, of Montgomery, pleaded guilty to Aggravated Theft of Property before Montgomery County Circuit Judge Brooke Reid. Sentencing is set for October…

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DeKalb County Schools Employee Arrested in Child Pornography Investigation

CHATTOOGA COUNTY, Ga. — A DeKalb County Schools employee was arrested Tuesday in Georgia following an investigation related to child pornography and unlawful surveillance. The DeKalb County School System released a statement Wednesday confirming the employee has been removed from his duties pending the outcome of the investigation. The school district emphasized that the charges…

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Attorney General Marshall Signs On to a Nationwide $7.4 Billion Purdue Settlement

(Montgomery, Ala) – Attorney General Steve Marshall today announced a nationwide $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family. The Sackler family has informed the 55 attorneys general, representing all eligible states and U.S. territories, of the plan to proceed with the settlement, which would resolve litigation against Purdue and the…

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During the month of April, 23 were charged on drug related charges

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – DeKalb County Deputies and Narcotics Agents, along with Officers with Rainsville, Collinsville and Powell PD’s, arrested and charged 23 individuals with drug related charges during the month of April.  Every day we rely on assistance from surrounding agencies to help keep our communities in DeKalb County safe and every day, without…

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Mentone Capital Murder Suspect in Custody

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – On Thursday May 1st, at the conclusion of a 21-day investigation into Homicide of Marcus Adam Battles that occurred on April 10, 2025 in Mentone, a Capital Murder warrant was issued for CHRISTOPHER BRAYDEN JONES (23 of Calhoun, Georgia). JONES is currently incarcerated at the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, where he was remanded into custody…

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Henagar Officer arrested on Public Dissemination/Displ Obscene Matter Under 17

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – A DeKalb County Investigator who is also assigned to the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a social media account that was used to share child pornography. DeKalb County Investigators and Special Response Team, along with ALEA,…

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Convicted sex offender arrested after establishing camp near school

Convicted sex offender arrested after establishing camp near school FORT PAYNE, Ala. – On Monday, April 7th, the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office SRO assigned to Collinsville School received a tip that a convicted sex offender had been seen on school grounds after hours, possibly using school buses for shelter. The Dekalb County Criminal Investigation Unit…

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Florida Man Charged with Sexual Abuse In Fort Payne

Detective Sgt Jose DeSocarraz States: An investigation was conducted after a minor was forensically interviewed by The Children’s Advocacy Center. After gathering facts from the interview and further investigation, Alfred Tommy Strange, age 68 of Wewahitchka, Florida, has been arrested and charged with charged with Sodomy 1st degree and Sexual Abuse 1st Degree. He turned…

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Fort Payne City Schools Reports Cybersecurity Incident

From Fort Payne City Schools: Fort Payne City Schools was notified on January 7, 2025, of a recent cybersecurity incident involving PowerSchool, a widely used education software provider that provides our district’s student information system. On December 28, 2024, PowerSchool identified unauthorized access to certain customer information through its PowerSource portal. The company has assured…

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Operation “Merry Christmas” wraps up eight in human trafficking sting

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – On Saturday, December 14th, 2024 the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit conducted an undercover operation which resulted in the arrest of eight subjects for the charge of Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act (13A-6-142), a Class A Felony. In order to protect the integrity of the investigation,…

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Collinsville man arrested on attempted child abduction charges

On September 27th, 2024, Collinsville Police Department was dispatched to the area of Piggly Wiggly and Rains Court Apartments regarding an attempted child abduction.  Collinsville Police Department arrived on scene and began speaking to the juvenile victim and family members.  DeKalb County Investigators were notified and arrived on scene and began to interview family members…

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Juvenile Arrested for Terrorist Threats at Crossville Middle School

MEDIA RELEASE: Arrest of a Juvenile for Terrorist Threats and Harassing Communication at Crossville Middle School Crossville, AL — A juvenile attending Crossville Middle School was arrested for making a terrorist threat and engaging in harassing communication. Upon learning of the incident, the Crossville Middle School administration acted swiftly, immediately notifying the School Resource Officer…

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Fort Payne Police Activity Reports September 13th – 15th

Date: 09/16/2024Title: Press ReleasePosted By: Fort Payne Police Department                            SUBJECT: Activity for September 13 thru September 15, 2024 Friday September 13th Incidents Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Vehicle – 4002 Williams Ave NE Lot 24, Oakley sunglasses, a Clavin Klein bag and credit/debit/gift cards were taken, valued at $319.00 3 Arrests Daniel Kane Thompson, age…

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PENNINGTON SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER

September 10, 2024 PENNINGTON SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER             District Attorney Summer McWhorter Summerford announced today that Ballard Pennington, Jr. was sentenced to LIFE in prison for two counts of Attempted Murder by Circuit Judge Jeremy Taylor in DeKalb County.    On January 7, 2024, law enforcement was dispatched to a reported stabbing…

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Francine To Make Landfall as Category 2 Hurricane

The following article is published by the Alabama Emergency Management Agency By Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist, Alabama Emergency Management Agency CLANTON – Tuesday, 7:30 am September 10, 2024 Hurricane Francine will make landfall on the Louisiana coast Wednesday afternoon or early evening as a Category 2 with sustained winds of 100 mph.   The intensity will decrease…

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Fort Payne man arrested on allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct with minors

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden and Sheriff’s Office Investigators received a complaint by a concerned parent regarding a part-time deputy by the name of Joshua Dane Wells (40 of Fort Payne).  Wells was not employed full-time by the Sheriff’s Office and was currently in the Alabama Law Enforcement Police Academy attempting to complete his…

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Murder in Collinsville

From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: FORT PAYNE, Ala. – On June 25th 2024, Deputies with the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office along with Collinsville Police Department and Crossville Police Department responded to an address on County Road 221 in Collinsville in regard to an unresponsive female. When Law Enforcement arrived, the victim…

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ALEA Investigates An Officer Involved Shooting by Skyline Police Department

JACKSON COUNTY – On Thursday, May 2, at approximately 5:27 p.m., Special Agents withthe Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) launchedan investigation into an officer-involved shooting involving an officer with the Skyline PoliceDepartment. The incident occurred when the officer responded to a call for service on CountyRoad 143 in Jackson County….

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Etowah County Woman Convicted of Stealing more than $2.5 Million from Elderly Mother

(Montgomery)—Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the conviction and sentence of an Etowah County woman for Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person in the First Degree. Gina Cook Gilbert, 63, of Gadsden, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of Financial Exploitation in the First Degree, a Class B felony, of her elderly mother while she was…

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Substitute teacher arrested for engaging in sex act with a student under 19 years of age

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint about a substitute teacher possibly having inappropriate relations with a student. The complaint was investigated by DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and today, Stephanie Mechelle Woods (45 of Henagar) has been arrested and booked into the DeKalb County Detention Center and charged with School Employee Engaging in a…

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Fort Payne Police Activity Report February 2nd – 4th

Date: 02/05/2024Title: Press ReleasePosted By: Fort Payne Police Department                            SUBJECT: Activity for February 2 thru February 4, 2024 Friday February 2nd          Incidents 1 Arrests Francisco Manuel, age 34 of Fort Payne, was arrested for DUI at 12:29 am 3 Accidents with 0 Injuries Saturday February 3rd Incidents 3 Arrests Randy Lamar Crawford, age 50…

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Former Dekalb County Attorney and Judicial Candidate Sentenced for Multiple Felony Convictions

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall released the following press release today regarding a joint investigation and prosecution: Former Dekalb County Attorney and Judicial Candidate Sentenced for Multiple Felony Convictions Teresa Darwin Phillips, 43, of Sylvania, a former attorney and candidate for DeKalb County District Judge, was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Jeremy Taylor to 20…

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Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office teams up with Central Alabama Crime Stoppers

According to Sheriff Jeff Shaver, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has teamed up with Central Alabama Crime Stoppers.  Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization that brings together law enforcement, media, and the community to stop, solve and prevent crime.  Crime Stoppers also encourages members of the community to assist local law enforcement agencies in the…

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Man charged with rape

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Investigators were contacted by Collinsville Police Department in regard to a sexual assault report. After an investigation, Jose Elisama Francisco-Diego (21, of Gadsden) was arrested and charged with Rape 1st on December 29, 2023. Francico-Diego was booked into the DeKalb County Detention Center and later released on bond. Jose Elisama Francisco-Diego (21, of Gadsden)…

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Month of November resulted in 23 arrested on drug charges

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputies, Narcotics Agents and Criminal Investigations, Officers with Powell, Fyffe, Henagar, Sylvania and Ider PD’s and Marshall County Sheriff’s Office arrested 23 on drug related charged during the month of November.  We greatly appreciate you all and the working relationships we have with all of you.  On Friday,…

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Substitute teacher arrested for sex act with student

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office received complaints about a DeKalb County substitute teacher having a sexual relationship with a student. The complaints were investigated by DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Unit.  On Thursday December 7, 2023, substitute teacher, Kristen Jade Ford (age 30) was arrested on the charge of School Employee Engaging in a Sex…

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Numerous charged with drug related offenses during month of September

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – During the month of September 31 people were charged with drug related offenses.  Thank you to DeKalb County Deputies, Narcotics Agents, SRT, Officers with Ider, Henagar, Geraldine, Powell, Sylvania Police Department’s, State Pardons and Parole and Officers with Jackson County.   It takes all of us doing our parts and working together…

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