Warrant Sweep Nets 26 Arrests, 11 New Charges Filed Across Cherokee County

CENTRE, Ala. — A coordinated law enforcement operation led by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the arrest of multiple individuals wanted on outstanding warrants, with several facing new charges after their apprehension.

According to Sheriff Jeff Shaver, investigators and deputies conducted a countywide warrant roundup last week, successfully serving 26 outstanding warrants and uncovering 11 new offenses in the process. The operation targeted individuals with active warrants ranging from probation violations to failure to appear in court, and several were charged with drug and assault-related crimes during their arrests.

“This operation is part of our ongoing effort to hold offenders accountable and ensure the safety of our communities,” Sheriff Shaver said.

Arrests and Charges

Ralph Eugene Hunter, 65, of Centre, was arrested on new charges while deputies were serving a warrant on another suspect. Hunter faces:

• Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance

• Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Eric Wade Bray, 50, of Piedmont:

• Probation Revocation – Burglary 3rd Degree

• FTA – Possession of Controlled Substance

• FTA – Drug Paraphernalia
  New Charges:

• Possession of Controlled Substance

• Drug Paraphernalia

• Attempt to Elude

Elizabeth Ann Smith, 39, of Cedar Bluff:

• FTA – Possession of Controlled Substance (x3)

• FTA – Possession of Marijuana 2nd (x2)

• FTA – Drug Paraphernalia (x2)
  New Charges:

• Possession of Controlled Substance

• Drug Paraphernalia

• Resisting Arrest

James Elmer Rochester Jr., 43, of Cedar Bluff, was arrested for:

• Hindering Prosecution 2nd
  Deputies say he was interfering with Smith’s arrest at the time.

Larry Joe Brannon, 61, of Centre:

• Revoked Bond – Possession of Controlled Substance

Jason Wayne Finley, 44, of Centre:

• Probation Revocation – Possession of Controlled Substance

• FTA – Possession of Controlled Substance

Dakota Harley Scott Crane, 19, of Gaylesville:

• Assault 3rd Degree

Kristin Lynn Foster, 32, of Gaylesville:

• FTA – Possession of Controlled Substance

• Probation Revocation – Possession of Controlled Substance

Pierre Varney Hudson, 52, of Leesburg:

• Revoked Bond – Possession of Controlled Substance

Dylan Scott Helms, 26, of Leesburg:

• FTA – Domestic Violence 3rd
  New Charges:

• Possession of Controlled Substance

• Drug Paraphernalia

Tonya Anita Battles Pannell, 48, of Gaylesville:

• Probation Revocation – Possession of Controlled Substance

Randall Cary Sears, 67, of Leesburg:

• Assault 3rd Degree

Jeremy Lee Garrison, 39, of Sand Rock:

• FTA – Driving While Revoked (x3)

• FTA – Operating Vehicle Without Insurance (x2)

• FTA – Failure to Register Vehicle

• FTA – Driving While Revoked (Collinsville PD and Rainsville PD)

Terry Wayne Drake, 18, of Gaylesville:

• Assault 3rd Degree

Johnathan Neal Bell, 46, of Centre:

• FTA – Driving Under the Influence

The Sheriff’s Office said additional operations of this nature are planned in the coming months to further reduce the number of active warrants and reinforce public safety.