FORT PAYNE — The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reported that 16 individuals were charged with drug-related offenses during the month of April, following investigations and enforcement efforts involving deputies, specialized units, and multiple law enforcement agencies.

According to information released by the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden, the Sheriff’s Office credited the work of DeKalb County Deputies, the K-9 Unit, the Drugs and Major Crimes Unit, the Fort Payne, Henagar and Collinsville Police Departments, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), and deputies with the Dade County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office for their assistance throughout the month.

April 1: Checkpoint Leads to Drug Arrests

On Wednesday, April 1, DeKalb County deputies were conducting a traffic safety checkpoint at County Road 179 and County Road 433 when they observed a vehicle reportedly turn around to avoid the checkpoint.

Deputies stopped the vehicle and identified the occupants as Frances Nicole Bass, 36, of Scottsboro, and Damien Lane Walker, 28, of Albertville. Authorities said deputies detected the odor of marijuana during the stop, prompting a vehicle search.

Investigators reported recovering marijuana and drug paraphernalia from the vehicle. Bass and Walker were both charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana Second Degree and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

April 1: Stranded Motorist Arrested on Drug Charges

Later that same day, the DeKalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit encountered a stranded motorist on County Road 507.

Authorities identified the driver as Anthony James Masino, 40, of Ider, and discovered he allegedly had active warrants. During a vehicle search, investigators reported locating methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Masino was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

April 3: Domestic Violence Call Leads to Additional Charges

On Friday, April 3, deputies and Henagar Police responded to a residence on County Road 85 for a domestic violence call.

Authorities said officers made contact with the victim outside the home and attempted to contact another individual, identified as Jacob Ryan Stewart, 39, of Fort Payne, who allegedly resisted law enforcement and attempted to dispose of a THC vape during the encounter.

The Drugs and Major Crimes Unit responded, and Stewart was charged with Domestic Violence Third Degree, Resisting Arrest, and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.

April 7: Collinsville Incident Results in Arrest

On Tuesday, April 7, Collinsville Police responded to Travelers Inn for a reported domestic violence incident.

Officers made contact with Eric Crane, 49, of Fort Payne. During a search, authorities reported recovering marijuana, a THC vape, and drug paraphernalia.

Crane was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana First Degree, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

April 12: Georgia Woman Apprehended After Foot Pursuit

On Sunday, April 12, a DeKalb County deputy attempted to stop a Ford Focus traveling without a license plate on County Road 169 near the Cartersville community.

Authorities said the driver fled, eventually stopping on a dead-end road before fleeing on foot. Multiple DeKalb County deputies, along with Dade County, Georgia deputies, assisted in the search.

The driver, identified as Vanessa Taylor Whitmoyer, 30, of Trenton, Georgia, was apprehended. Investigators reported finding methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Whitmoyer was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Attempt to Elude.

April 13: Rainsville Traffic Investigation Leads to Major Drug Charge

On Monday, April 13, at approximately 11:20 p.m., a deputy observed a vehicle parked at a closed business near Highway 75 and Marshall Road in Rainsville.

The driver, identified as Timothy Jay Beavers, 36, of Rainsville, was reportedly found slumped inside the vehicle. Authorities discovered outstanding warrants through the Rainsville Police Department.

During a search, investigators allegedly recovered a substantial amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Beavers was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

April 14: Traffic Stop Near State Line Results in Arrest

On Tuesday, April 14, deputies conducted a traffic stop near the Alabama-Georgia state line on Highway 75 for improper lane usage.

Authorities identified the driver as Melissa Marlene Cunningham, 45, of Flat Rock, who allegedly had multiple DeKalb County warrants and a warrant out of Hamilton County, Tennessee.

During a vehicle search, investigators reported finding clonazepam, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.

Cunningham was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Failure to Appear – Marijuana Second Degree, and Failure to Appear – Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

April 19: Firearm and Drugs Found During Traffic Stop

On Sunday, April 19, deputies stopped a vehicle on County Road 835 after reportedly observing it traveling on the wrong side of the roadway.

The driver, identified as Marcos Ramirez Jimenez, 21, of Fort Payne, was allegedly found to have outstanding warrants with Albertville Police Department.

During a vehicle search, authorities reported finding psilocybin.

Jimenez was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Addict in Possession of a Firearm, and his outstanding warrant.

April 23: DUI Investigation Leads to Drug Arrest

On Thursday, April 23, deputies stopped a vehicle on U.S. Highway 11 near Hammondville for speeding and improper lane usage.

Authorities identified the driver as Robert Lee Crocker, 36, of Fort Payne, who was suspected of impairment.

Following field sobriety testing, Crocker was arrested for DUI – Any Substance. During a vehicle search, investigators allegedly found Suboxone strips, pills, and firearms.

Crocker was additionally charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.

April 23: K-9 Stop in Mentone

Also on April 23, a DeKalb County K-9 deputy stopped a vehicle on Highway 117 in Mentone for operating without a license plate.

The driver, identified as Roger Brian Steele, 52, of Fackler, was subjected to a K-9 search after K-9 Blazer reportedly alerted on the vehicle.

Authorities stated methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were discovered.

Steele was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

April 23: Over a Pound of Marijuana Recovered

Later that same day, deputies stopped a vehicle near Mentone Market for failure to signal.

The driver, Vinson Demetrius McKennie, 28, of Huntsville, allegedly could not provide proof of insurance. After K-9 Blazer alerted on the vehicle, authorities reportedly recovered more than one pound of marijuana hidden inside.

McKennie was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana First Degree and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

April 27: High-Speed Pursuit Ends in Major Drug Trafficking Arrest

On Monday, April 27, an agent with the DeKalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit attempted to stop a vehicle driven by George Travis Roach, 46, of Calhoun, Georgia, near Jordan Road SW and Highway 35 in Fort Payne.

Authorities said Roach allegedly fled, leading deputies, ALEA troopers, and Fort Payne Police on a pursuit that continued onto Interstate 59 and eventually through Fort Payne.

The chase ended after Roach reportedly struck a DMCU agent’s vehicle, crashed into a retaining wall, and overturned his vehicle over an embankment.

Authorities reported recovering more than three pounds of methamphetamine, more than 40 grams of cocaine, multiple controlled substance pills, and drug paraphernalia during an inventory search.

Roach was charged with:

• Felony Attempt to Elude
• Criminal Mischief First Degree (two counts)
• Reckless Endangerment
• Resisting Arrest
• Drug Trafficking – Methamphetamine
• Drug Trafficking – Cocaine
• Two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

April 28: Suspicious Vehicle Call Leads to Three Arrests

On Tuesday, April 28, deputies responded to the 800 block of County Road 611 in Valley Head after a caller reported a suspicious vehicle parked at an abandoned residence.

Authorities encountered Johnny Elkins, 35, of Valley Head; Katelynn Scott, 28, of Trenton, Georgia; and Breanna Collins, 31, of Bridgeport.

Investigators alleged Collins attempted to conceal drug paraphernalia, while Scott attempted to destroy a bag containing methamphetamine.

Authorities also discovered Elkins and Scott allegedly had outstanding warrants. Searches reportedly uncovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Elkins was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and multiple failure-to-appear warrants.

Scott was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Collins was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Bondsman Off Bond – Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance.

Sheriff Nick Welden’s office stated the investigations and enforcement efforts remain part of an ongoing effort to address illegal drug activity throughout DeKalb County.