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,…

Read More

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…

Read More

During the month of June, 13 were arrested on drug related charges

From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: FORT PAYNE, Ala. – We are halfway through 2024 and so far, we have seized 6,714 grams of methamphetamine, 8,225 grams marijuana, 24 grams heroin, 7 grams cocaine, 36 grams synthetic marijuana, and 202 grams fentanyl.  Thanks to Crossville, Henagar, Fyffe and Collinsville PD’s, DeKalb County…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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)…

Read More

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,…

Read More

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…

Read More

Two DCSO Investigators complete Crisis Negotiation Course

From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Deputy Chief Investigator Priscilla Padgett and Investigator Paul Bell completed the FBI Basic Crisis Negotiation Course during the week of September 11-15 at Jacksonville State University Training Facility.  Both, Deputy Chief Investigator Padgett and Investigator Bell, assist DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Special…

Read More

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,…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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. …

Read More

During the first month of the year, 22 were arrested on drug charges

From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: FORT PAYNE, Ala. – During the month of January, 22 people was arrested on drug charges.  We are so grateful for Officers with Rainsville, Crossville and Sylvania Police Department, Pardons and Parole and Deputies, Narcotics Agent and K-9 Units with DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office for always…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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….

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

Sonny Martin Wins Airborne Public Safety Association Scholarship

From The Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department: Congratulations to Sonny Martin on winning the Airborne Public Safety Association, Southeast Region Scholarship. Sonny will be attending Auburn University this Fall and will major in Computer Engineering. Pictured here with his Father, Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office Pilot Matt Martin. Sonny, everyone at the DCSO is so very proud…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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)….

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

Girl Scout Troop 10303 Visits The Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office and Makes Huge Donation of Food

The Girl Scout Troop 10303 visited the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office recently and were able to meet some of DCSO K-9s and see the Sheriff’s Departments helicopter in action. The Girl Scout Troop also made a huge donation of food for CASA of North Sand Mountain. The Sheriff’s Department stated, “The food will be used…

Read More

Sheriff Nick Welden Is Pleased To Announce DeKalb County Response Agencies Win Big In 2021 Grant Cycle

Back in the Spring of this year, Sheriff Welden, after months of coordination with Dekalb County Fire Departments, Rescue Squads, 911, EMA and Municipal Police Departments, initiated a meeting with these Agency Representatives and Elected Officials. During this meeting, the Sheriff outlined all of the problems with Communications, Jail Management, Records Management, Civil Process Management…

Read More