From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden:
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — DeKalb County Deputies, Narcotics Agents and Corrections Officers, Officers with Collinsville, Crossville and Powell PD and Albertville K9 Unit worked together, charging 26 with drug related charges during the month of May. This definitely would not be possible if all these agencies and others in the county didn’t have such a great working relationship.
On Friday, May 2nd DeKalb County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on County Road 782. As Deputies approached the vehicle, they noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from within. Marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found in the vehicle. Amanda Rhea Murphy (30 of Ider) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Promote Prison Contraband 2nd. Corrections Officers found Murphy to be in possession of approximately 2 grams of methamphetamine once she was brought inside the jail.
On Tuesday, May 6th DeKalb County Deputies went to a residence on County Road 386 to serve a warrant. When Deputies arrived, they made contact with Michael James Surles (35 of Albertville) who had outstanding warrants with DeKalb County, as well as other agencies. Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found in the residence. Surles was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and 1 warrant for Failure to Appear. Jessica Renae Benjamin (46 of Albertville) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Also, on Tuesday, DeKalb County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on County Road 386. The driver was identified as Jacob Walker Gore (33 of Albertville) who had outstanding warrants with DeKalb County. Methamphetamine and drug Paraphernalia were found inside the vehicle. Gore was charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Probation Violation and 1 warrant for Failure to Appear.
On Wednesday, May 7th, DeKalb County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Hwy 75, near Hwy 227. As the driver was looking for his insurance card, Deputies observed him put something between the seat and console. During a search, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found. Brian Jason Norton (43 of Geraldine) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Also, on Wednesday, DeKalb County Deputies went to a residence on County Road 378 to serve a warrant on Christopher Ryan Bean (47 of Boaz). Methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and clonazepam were found inside the residence. Bean was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x2), Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (x2) and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd. Bridgett Lashanda Williams (42 of Boaz) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Thursday, May 8th, DeKalb County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on County Road 47 due to the vehicle crossing the center line several times. During a search, suboxone strips were found in the vehicle. Manual Wade Bowen (58 of Rainsville) was charged with Violation of Release (x4), Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Friday, May 9th, DeKalb County Deputies stopped a motorcycle on Andrew Lee Drive in Henagar for a switched tag. The driver, David Tyler Pierce (37 of Valley Head) was found to be in possession of kratom. Pierce was charged with Violation of Release (x4), Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Also, on Friday, DeKalb County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on County Road 141 and County Road 784 for no tag. Deputies found the passenger, Howard Houston Higdon III (50 of Flat Rock) to be in possession of methamphetamine. Higdon was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Again, on Friday, DeKalb County Deputies were on County Road 345 and came up on a silver vehicle parked in the roadway. Deputies activated their lights and saw a female place something on a tree stump then get back into the passenger seat. Deputies went to where the female was and found a bag with methamphetamine inside. Katie Shepard (30 of Attalla) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Thursday, May 15th, DeKalb County Deputies were sent to County Road 764 to conduct a welfare check due to reports of drug activity. When Deputies arrived, Angel Petitjean (29 of Henagar) opened the door and as strong marijuana odor came from within the residence. Kratom and marijuana was found inside the residence. Petitjean was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x2), Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st, Endangering Welfare of Child and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. William Alfred Johnson (64 of Henagar) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Sunday, May 18th, Officers with Collinsville PD stopped a vehicle for speeding. A trafficking amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia was found in the vehicle. Mark Jason Adams (44 of Fort Payne) was charged with Trafficking in any Illegal Drug and Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance.
On Tuesday, May 21st, DeKalb County Deputies assisted by Officers with Crossville PD and Albertville K9 Unit, stopped a vehicle on County Road 479. During the stop, they noticed that the driver had slurred speech. Albertville’s K9 Unit was utilized and gave appositive alert on the vehicle. Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found inside. Ricardo Garcia-Uribe (30 of Albertville) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, DUI (controlled substance) and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Wednesday, May 21st, DeKalb County Deputies were dispatched to County Road 396 stating someone had shot at them. Once there, Deputies noticed a strong odor of marijuana. A large amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found inside the residence. Bill Wilson (64 of Grove Oak) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Also, on Wednesday, DeKalb County Deputies were dispatched to County Road 963 on a report of someone sitting in the vehicle with a firearm that they did not know. Upon arrival, Deputies saw a hispanic male throw something into the passenger window of a vehicle. Deputies identified Alex Corona (25 of Albertville) who had active warrants for Robbery 3rd and was in possession of methamphetamine. Arely Guzman (28 of Albertville) was found in possession of methamphetamine and a firearm. Corona was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and 1 warrant for Failure to Appear. Guzman was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Persons Forbid to Possess Firearm – Drunkard/Addict.
On Thursday, May 22nd, DeKalb County Deputies, along with Officers with Collinsville PD went to a residence on County Road 892 to execute a warrant. Methamphetamine, synthetic marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found inside. Walter Louis Tucker (43 of Collinsville) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Wednesday, May 28th, DeKalb County Deputies made contact with Breanna Lashay Collins (30 of Henagar) who they knew had outstanding warrants. During a search of her vehicle, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found. Collins was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Saturday, May 31st, DeKalb County Deputies went to a residence on County Road 342 in Fyffe after receiving information of drug use and possession. When Deputies arrived, they detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from within the residence. During a search, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found. Bradley Labron Blackwell (28 of Fyffe) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Attempt to Elude and Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance. Austin William Jay (22 of Boaz), Toby Robert Joshua Townsend (27 of Fyffe), Joseph Dakota Leak (27 of Fyffe) and Sarah Hughes (29 of Fyffe) were all charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd.
Also, on Saturday, Officers with Powell PD responded to a fight call at Fuel City. When officers arrived, the ones fighting had left. Bystanders gave information describing the vehicles of the ones involved and one of the vehicles was located on County Road 102. Suboxone and methamphetamine was found on the ground close to the vehicle. Barry Dewayne Hughes (46 of Dawson) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance.
