Deputies and investigators, along with members of the Alabama Regional Drug Task Force conducted a patrol saturation and warrant round-up in Cherokee County on Friday night.
Twenty people were arrested as a result of the proactive, high-visibility operation for various charges including unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. Deputies and other officers focused on traffic enforcement in several areas across Cherokee County and performed safety checkpoints in multiple locations. The operation also focused on the execution of warrants and arrests for drug-related crimes.
In addition to Cherokee County deputies, law enforcement from the State Bureau of Investigation, Ft Payne Police Department, Oneonta Police Department, Cedar Bluff Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Blount County Sheriff’s Office, Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office all participated in the operation. The operation with the out-of-county agencies is made possible through the collaboration of the Alabama Regional Drug Task Force. According to Chief Deputy Josh Summerford, Cherokee County has benefited greatly from participating in the Task Force through grant funding, manpower, and information sharing.
According to Sheriff Shaver, the operation led to 16 new charges for unlawful possession of a controlled substance, 17 new charges for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, 13 new charges for unlawful possession of marijuana, 1 DUI, 1 unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, and 4 warrants failure to appear for burglary, and several other warrants were executed.
Also on Friday night, deputies were involved in a pursuit after midnight in attempting to arrest Jeremy “Pee Wee” Crane, 35 of Cedar Bluff. Crane has evaded law enforcement several times in the past and is wanted on multiple warrants for drug and firearms crimes. During the pursuit of Crane overnight a deputy was involved in crashing his patrol vehicle. Sheriff Shaver said that Crane is now wanted for felony attempting to elude as a result of the crash. If you have information that can assist in the apprehension of Crane please call the Sheriff’s Office at 256-927-3365 or the anonymous tip line at (256) 927-9999,