In a little over two weeks, DCSO Agents and Deputies have made multiple arrests while stepping up patrols to keep our roadways and communities safe.
On Wednesday, March 16, 2022, a DeKalb County Criminal Interdiction Agent attempted to conduct a traffic stop on County Road 197 and Lacy Road in Henagar. Initially the driver pulled to the side of the road, but as the agent was approaching the vehicle, the driver sped away. The driver led the agent on a high speed chase that lasted approximately 20 minutes, nearly hitting several vehicles and wrecking on County Road 183 in Jackson County.
Zackery Blake Laney (34 of Sylvania) was charged with Attempt to Elude, Resisting Arrest, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Promote Prison Contraband 3rd Degree.
Laney also received charges related to violating his federal probation.
On Friday, March 18, 2022 at approximately 2 pm, a DeKalb County Criminal Interdiction Agent was conducting routine patrol on County Road 134 near Henagar when he stopped a suspicious vehicle.
Both the driver and passenger were found to have active warrants with other agencies. Officers with the Henagar Police Department and the DCSO Narcotics Unit arrived to assist. After the warrants were confirmed and the subjects were placed under arrest, Officers and Agents located drug paraphernalia, over 6 grams of methamphetamine, two grams of marijuana, and a rifle that had been sawed off as well as had the serial number removed.
Samuel McMullins (21 of Dutton, Ala.) and Ashley Rogers (29 of Fort Payne) were both arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, 2nd Degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Sawed-off Rifle/Shotgun.
On Monday, March 21, 2022, DeKalb County Narcotics Agents attempted to conduct a traffic stop on County Road 411 near Grove Oak. The vehicle failed to follow the agent's commands, leading to a brief pursuit at low speed. The vehicle would eventually stop at the intersection of County Roads 411 and 356. While searching the vehicle, Agents located methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a firearm.
The driver, Eric Gant (36 of Fort Payne), was arrested and charged with Attempting to Elude, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Investigators were also called to the scene to check for stolen property. More charges may be pending upon further investigation.
Later that night, DeKalb County Narcotics Agents conducted a traffic stop on a motorcycle on Highway 75 in Rainsville. While conducting a search, Agents located brass knuckles on the subject. A further search revealed Methamphetamine and Drug Paraphernalia.
The suspect, Joshua Anderson (45 of Fyffe) was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Carrying Brass Knuckles.
On Saturday, March 26, 2022, a DeKalb County Criminal Interdiction Agent received information regarding a burglary that had occurred the previous day in Leesburg, Alabama. That afternoon, the agent was able to locate one of the suspects on County Road 958 in Deer Head Cove, near the Georgia line.
The suspect, Ronald Character (35 of Flat Rock), was arrested and would be charged the following week in Cherokee County with Receiving Stolen Property 2nd Degree (x2), Carrying a Pistol without a Permit, Theft of Property 1st Degree, Burglary 3rd Degree, and Theft of Property - Firearm.
Another subject on scene, Scotty Cuzzort (41 of Cloudland, Georgia) was found to have an outstanding warrant with the Ider Police Department and was also arrested.
The following night (Sunday, March 27, 2022) a DeKalb County Criminal Interdiction Agent conducted a traffic stop on Highway 68 near Kilpatrick and the Marshall County line. During the course of a search, the suspect was found to be in possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and approximately 25 grams of methamphetamine.
The driver, Daniel Scott Bearden (38 of Albertville) was arrested and charged with Possession with intent to Distribute - Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, 2nd Degree, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Monday, March 28, 2022, a DeKalb County Deputy Conducted a traffic stop on County Road 479 near Kilpatrick. During the course of the stop, the occupants of the vehicle were found to be in possession of marijuana, marijuana edibles, drug paraphernalia, an undisclosed amount of currency, and a handgun.
The suspects, Patrick Hendrickson (30 of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota) and Nicholas Roberts (29 of Saint Cloud, Minnesota) were both arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, 1st Degree and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Thursday, May 31, 2022, at approximately 5 pm DeKalb County Criminal Interdiction Agents conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Fruit Farm and Adamsburg Roads in Fort Payne. Upon a search of the vehicle, agents located drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine.
The driver, Gerald Collins (61 of Fort Payne) was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the arrests: "This is a great job by our deputies, interdiction agents, and narcotics agents! The first place to start in keeping our county safe is our roadways. Almost all parts of the criminal element must travel on the roadways, taking with them evidence of crimes and dangerous narcotics that fuel these crimes."
"Everyday, the criminal element travels through our communities on our roadways, driving right by children playing and our homes. I'm very thankful for those that put in the extra effort to patrol our roads and let these criminals know that it will not be tolerated in this county. Our citizens shouldn't have to worry about impaired drivers while running errands, going to work, or taking the kids to school," said Sheriff Welden.
"God Bless!" Concluded Sheriff Welden.
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