FORT PAYNE, Ala. – After an almost year and a half long investigation involving the Dekalb County Investigations Unit, Rainsville Police Department, Dekalb County 9th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the East Metro Alabama Crime Center, Brandon Lee Croft (31 of Crossville) was indicted by a Dekalb County Grand Jury for manslaughter in the death of Zachary McClendon from Crossville. In March of 2023 the Investigations Unit began an investigation into a case involving a deceased male. Mr. McClendon was found unresponsive in his home, when officers and DAS arrived on scene McClendon was pronounced deceased. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Croft had allegedly supplied him with a lethal dose of heroin laced with fentanyl. The case was presented to the grand jury which returned a manslaughter indictment. Mr. Croft was arrested and released on bond.
| Brandon Lee Croft (31 of Crossville) |
This is the first overdose death case in Dekalb County that resulted in an indictment where a person has been charged with manslaughter for allegedly supplying the deceased with drugs.
DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the incident: “We are glad this indictment was handed down. This is an important step to holding those accountable that are giving this poison to our citizens, our family, and our friends. I want to thank everyone involved in this investigation and process for helping the family of the victim to be one step closer to closure.”
“God Bless!” Concluded Sheriff Welden.
