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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Several arrested during the month of August on Drug Related Charges

From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: FORT PAYNE, Ala. – The month of August resulted in 32 arrested on drug related charges.  We sincerely appreciate the help we got on these days, and every day, from Henagar, Collinsville, Sylvania, Ider, Powell and Rainsville Police Departments, DeKalb County Sherriff’s Deputies and Narcotics Agents,…

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Rainsville man sentenced to 14 years in prison

From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/repeat-offender-sentenced-14-years-prison FORT PAYNE, Ala. – Rayford Raymond Russell aka “Pete” (74 of Rainsville) was sentenced to 168 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Liles C. Burke.  In February, Russell plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, attempt to possess with intent to distribute…

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Multiple vehicles broken into at Matheny’s Bridge

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — On July 6, 2023, Investigators with DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office arrested Thomas Wesley Harris (28 of Crossville) on 16 felony charges for breaking into multiple vehicles at Matheny’s Bridge.  Harris is being charged with Theft of Property 3rd (x8), Breaking/Entering Vehicle (x4) and Illegal Possession of Credit/Debit Card (x4).  Harris is…

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Collinsville man arrested on 20 counts of possession of child pornography

From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: FORT PAYNE, Ala. — DeKalb County Investigators announce arrest involving possession of child pornography.  After a joint investigation involving the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Leesburg Police Department, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office and the University of Alabama Police Department, a search warrant was executed at the…

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24 Charged on Drug Related Charges During the Month of May

From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: FORT PAYNE, Ala. – DeKalb County Deputies, K-9 Unit, and Narcotics Agents, Officers with Collinsville, Fyffe, Ider, Powell and Crossville Police Departments, arrested 24 during the month of May on drug related charges.  Thankful and grateful for the vigilance and dedication all law enforcement agencies do…

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ALEA Gives Update Of Dadeville Alabama Shooting Investigation

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY – At approximately 11:45 p.m. Saturday, April 15, Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) launched a death investigation at the request of the Dadeville Police Chief. The investigation is a result of a shooting which occurred at approximately 10:34 p.m. near the 200 Block of…

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DCSO charged 38 with drug related charges during month of March

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – During the month of March, DeKalb County Deputies, Narcotics Agents, K-9 Unit, SRT Unit, SRO’s and Investigators, along with Ider, Sylvania, Henagar, Collinsville, Crossville Police Departments, ALEA Troopers, DHR, Gadsden City Police Department, Etowah County Sheriff’s Office and Drug Enforcement Unit charged 38 with drug related charges.  We certainly want to…

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Ider Police Department Easter Sunday High Speed Chase

News Release from Ider Police Department: EASTER SUNDAY PURSUIT During Easter Sunday night (04/09/23), multiple units were patrolling a high crime area where frequent complaints from residents have been reporting drug activity. Chief Malone and Reserve Officer Chapman observed a vehicle with expired Indiana license plates, as well as other traffic violations being committed. Officers…

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Crossville woman arrested on Child Abuse/Aggravated Abuse

03/17/2023 Crossville woman arrested on Child Abuse/Aggravated Abuse FORT PAYNE, Ala. – Jessica Lindsey Nation (36 of Crossville) was arrested on March 16, 2023 on 6 Grand Jury Indictments for Abuse of Child Torture/Willful (x3) and Aggravated Child Abuse (x3). Jessica Lindsey Nation (36 of Crossville)The arrest stems from an investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office along with the…

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39 Arrested on Drug Related Charges During Month of February

From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: FORT PAYNE, Ala. – DeKalb County Deputies along with K-9 Unit, Narcotics Unit. Criminal Investigations, Collinsville PD, Sylvania PD, Crossville PD and Henagar Pd seized 139.5 grams methamphetamine, 26 grams marijuana, 1 gram heroin, 3 grams fentanyl and 30 grams cocaine during the month of February. …

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Rainsville Man Arrested For Sexual Abuse of A Minor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 8TH  2023 11:00AM Recently, Rainsville Police Department opened an investigation of Sexual Abuse of a minor after receiving a complaint. As the investigation progressed, many more disturbing facts were found by investigators. Over the next several weeks evidence was collected by search warrants and forensic interviews. In February of 2023, a…

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Local Organizations Granted $1,521,900 for Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention

For immediate release Award Presentation: Local Organizations Granted $1,521,900 for Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Albertville, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention are joining local and state leaders on February 28th to present a check in the amount of $1,521,900 to local grantee organizations in Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District. “The…

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DCSC Makes 40 Arrested During Weekend Saturation

From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: FORT PAYNE, Ala. – The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office as well as, Investigations Unit, Narcotics and Criminal Interdiction Unit, conducted a saturation patrol during the weekend of February 3-5, 2023.  While focusing on traffic violations and impaired drivers, just the increased presence of Law Enforcement Officers…

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Powell Police Department Makes Arrest For Using Fake Currency

This week the Powell Police Department coordinated with the Simpson County Sheriff’s Office(KY), Barren County Sheriff’s Office(KY), and Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office (KY). We were able to take our wanted fugitive into custody. Not only was a stolen RV recovered, Christopher Gregory was also taken into custody and charged with Trafficking a controlled substance Giving…

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Motorcycle and guns recovered during the month of October

FORT PAYNE, Ala. -During the month of October, over 3,000 grams of methamphetamine, over 3,000 grams of marijuana were confiscated. Fentanyl, cocaine, suboxone, several firearms, drug paraphernalia, and an undisclosed amount of US Currency were also seized.  A motorcycle and one of the firearms had previously been reported stolen.  Thank you to, the DeKalb County…

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Valley Head Man Arrested on 106 Counts of Child Porn

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – The DeKalb County Investigations Division has recently been investigating a case regarding apparent child pornography.  An investigator, who is also assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that an individual residing in DeKalb County had…

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Dekalb County Sheriff Investigators Speak To NACC Class

Deputy Chief Investigator Priscilla Padgett, Investigator Paul Bell and Investigator Weston Fortner spoke to Mr. Whited’s Criminal Justice Class at Northeast Alabama Community College today about Domestic Violence. October is not only Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but also National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you know is a victim please report it….

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Ider Woman Arrested on charges of Rape and Sexual Abuse

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – Kristen Rice Perry (30 of Ider) was booked into the DeKalb County Detention Center on Monday, October 17th, after an investigation by DeKalb County Criminal Investigations Unit along with Jackson County DHR.  Kristen Rice Perry (30 of Ider) Perry was charged with Rape 2nd and Sexual Abuse 1st.  Bond was set at $45,000.00.  DeKalb County Sheriff…

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Stone Mountain Man Arrested for Fake Prescription

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 09/02/2022 Dawson Phillip Brown, 23 of Stone Mountain Georgia was arrested on September 1 2022 at approximately 5:47PM. According to Rainsville Police Department Investigator, LT Josh Wilson, Brown faxed a forged prescription for a controlled substance to Rainsville Drugs. Rainsville Drugs immediately contacted Rainsville Police Department to report the incident. Rainsville Police…

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Conviction for Attempted Murder of Police Officers in Jackson County Upheld

(MONTGOMERY)—Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that the Alabama Court ofCriminal Appeals upheld the conviction of Christian James Street, 25, of Monteagle, Tennessee,for two counts of attempted murder of two police officers in Jackson County. Street wasconvicted in Jackson County Circuit Court on November 17, 2021, for the attempted murder ofpolice officers Luke Ballard and Ryan…

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Postal Inspectors intercept 10lbs methamphetamine Rainsville man charged

Postal Inspectors intercept 10lbs methamphetamine, Rainsville man charged From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: FORT PAYNE, Ala. – On Wednesday, August 31, 2022, Agents from ALEA Region F Narcotics, ADETF Region F Narcotics, DeKalb County Narcotics Unit, Huntsville (STAC) HIDA and United States Postal Inspectors, arrested Rayford Russell Jr (73 of Rainsville) and charged…

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ALEA Investigating Officer Involved Shooting At Walnut Park School

ETOWAH COUNTY – On Thursday, June 9, at the request of the Gadsden Police Department, Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) are investigating an officer-involved shooting. An individual was attempting to make forcible entry into a marked Rainbow City patrol vehicle at which point a School Resource…

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Two people in Henagar charged with trafficking in methamphetamine

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – A search warrant for a residence in Henagar led to two being charged with trafficking in methamphetamine.  On Friday, April 8th, a DeKalb County Interdiction Agent along with DeKalb County Investigations Unit, and Officers with Henagar and Sylvania Police Department executed a search warrant on Longview Drive in Henagar.  During the…

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Arrests Made In Drugs Being Sold Close To Fyffe High School

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – Acting on information of drugs being sold around a local school, DeKalb County Narcotics Agents along with DeKalb County Deputies and Officers with Fyffe Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence on Hammonds Road in Fyffe, finding methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.  Johnny Martin (69 of Fyffe) was charged with Unlawful Possession of…

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Sylvania Man Arrested In Hit and Run Accident That Killed Dekalb County Teenager

New Release from Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) ST. CLAIR COUNTY–At approximately 5:40 a.m. Wednesday, April 6, Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division arrested Tyler Blaise Wilbanks, 22, of Sylvania.  Wilbanks was arrested in Pell City and charged with Manslaughter and a Felony Leaving the Scene of an Accident (LSA)….

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Suspect in DeKalb County’s first Human Trafficking Case Found Guilty

According to District Attorney Mike O’Dell, Rex Tidmore, age 64 of Geraldine, was convicted on Monday, March 7th on the charges of conspiracy to commit human trafficking, first degree sodomy, 20 counts of possession of obscene matter depicting a minor, trafficking in cannabis, first degree unlawful manufacturing of controlled substance, and unlawful possession of a…

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Rainsville Police Department Makes Arrest and Seized a Large Amount of Marijuana

On 02/15/2022 Rainsville Police Department seized a large Marijuana grow inside a residence in the 200 Block of Dilbeck Road East in Rainsville AL. Officers from Rainsville Police Department received information from concerned citizens that there was possibly an adult male and a young child living in the residence without food or water. Officers from…

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Valley Head man charged with possession of child pornography

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Investigators with the DeKalb County Criminal Investigations Unit received a tip from Internet Crimes Against Children and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through the FBI, of obscene material being downloaded to a residence on County Road 137 in Valley Head.  The DeKalb County Criminal Investigations Unit, along with…

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Higdon man arrested for the murder of his father

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — At approximately 5:30pm, on February 8th, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a possible homicide on County Road 155 in Higdon.  When DeKalb County Deputies, Investigators with the DeKalb County Criminal Investigations Unit and Investigators with the District Attorney’s Office arrived on scene, they found Joseph Xavior Register, (52…

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Lickskillet man charged with firing gun into neighbors’ vehicle

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Deputies, with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and DeKalb County Special Response Team, responded to a residence in the Lickskillet Community after reports of shots fired into an unoccupied vehicle stemming from an ongoing dispute between neighbors.  Charles Steven Henderson (53 of Fort Payne) was charged with Discharging Firearm into Unoccupied…

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Henagar man arrested for Electronic Solicitation of a Child

FORT PAYNE, Ala. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Investigation’s Unit received information of an adult male who was possibly having communications with an underage female.  After further investigation, Bobby Cole Howell (27 of Henagar) was charged with Electronic Solicitation of a Child and 2 Failure to Appear warrants.  This is an ongoing investigation, with limited information, due to the victim being a minor. Bobby…

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