FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reported that 16 individuals were charged with drug-related offenses during the month of May following investigations conducted by DeKalb County deputies, the DeKalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit, Alabama Probation and Parole, DeKalb Ambulance Service, and the Henagar and Fyffe police departments.

Sheriff Nick Welden thanked the agencies involved for their cooperation and assistance in the investigations.

Suspicious Vehicle Leads to Drug Charges

On May 1, deputies responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the 2000 block of County Road 97. Deputies identified the driver as Jimmy Franklin Holcomb, 29, of Fyffe, who appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. Authorities said methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found on his person and inside the vehicle. Holcomb was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Traffic Stop Results in Arrest

On May 5, a deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of County Roads 85 and 675 for an expired license plate. The driver, Karey Ann Davis, 28, of Fort Payne, was found to have drug paraphernalia visible inside the vehicle. A search reportedly uncovered a large quantity of kratom and a straw containing methamphetamine residue. Davis was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Investigator Observes Suspect Leaving Known Drug House

On May 7, an investigator with the Drugs and Major Crimes Unit observed Curtis Lamont McClain, 45, of Fort Payne, riding a bicycle away from what authorities described as a known drug house on Godfrey Avenue in Fort Payne.

Investigators reported McClain was carrying three realistic BB pistols and was found in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Authorities also said he initially provided a false identity to avoid an active warrant. McClain was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Obstructing Justice Using a False Identity, and two counts of Failure to Appear.

Home Visit Leads to Drug Distribution Charges

On May 13, Alabama Probation and Parole officers conducted a home visit at the residence of Shanise Michelle Bain, 35, of Fort Payne, on Alabama Highway 176. Authorities reported narcotics and drug paraphernalia were visible upon entering the residence.

Investigators recovered methamphetamine, synthetic marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Bain was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Henagar Traffic Stop Yields Large Drug Seizure

Also on May 13, a Henagar police officer stopped a vehicle driven by Scott Edward Moore, 54, of Fort Payne. During a search, officers reportedly discovered a large amount of methamphetamine, synthetic marijuana, marijuana, and five different controlled prescription medications.

Moore was charged with Drug Trafficking-Methamphetamine, five counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana Second Degree, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Arrest at Henagar Park

Later that same day, Henagar police responded to a report of a suspicious person at Henagar Park. Officers made contact with Steven Chase Carter, 31, of Henagar, who appeared intoxicated and was found to have an outstanding warrant with the Rainsville Police Department.

Authorities said a methamphetamine pipe and methamphetamine were found on Carter. He was charged with Public Intoxication, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Multiple Arrests Following Overdose Call

On May 17, deputies and DeKalb Ambulance Service personnel responded to an address in the 4000 block of County Road 155 in Higdon regarding an unresponsive male suffering a possible overdose.

While rendering aid, deputies observed narcotics and drug paraphernalia in plain view, according to the sheriff’s office. A search of the residence allegedly uncovered methamphetamine, marijuana, kratom, Xanax, and drug paraphernalia.

As a result, Melinda Roberts, 60; Cristen Roberts, 41; Daniel Roberts, 66; and Ryan Hardeman, 31, all of Higdon, were each charged with two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana Second Degree, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Dustin Roberts, 40, of Higdon, was charged with two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana Second Degree, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting Arrest, and Obstructing Government Operations.

Mary Nichols, 23, of Bryant, was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana Second Degree, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Burglary Suspect Arrested

On May 18, investigators went to a residence on County Road 318 to serve outstanding Failure to Appear warrants on Kyle Heath Ayers, 39, of Henagar. Authorities said Ayers was also a suspect in an active burglary and theft investigation.

During the arrest, investigators reportedly located stolen property and narcotics inside the residence. Ayers was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Burglary Third Degree, Theft of Property Third Degree, Possession of Burglary Tools, and multiple Failure to Appear charges.

Vehicle Pursuit Ends in Arrest

On May 20, deputies conducting a traffic safety checkpoint near Kilpatrick observed a vehicle allegedly attempting to avoid the checkpoint.

Authorities identified the driver as Christian Perez-Lopez, 24, of Albertville. Deputies reported seeing alcohol and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. When deputies attempted to remove Perez-Lopez from the vehicle, he allegedly fled, leading officers on a pursuit through DeKalb County before crashing into a utility pole.

Perez-Lopez then attempted to flee on foot before being apprehended, according to authorities. He was charged with Felony Attempting to Elude, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Criminal Mischief Third Degree.

The sheriff’s office stated Perez-Lopez was identified as a Guatemalan national who was in the United States illegally and would be transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody upon release from the DeKalb County Detention Center.

Final Arrests of the Month

On May 26, deputies and Fyffe police officers responded to a suspicious vehicle call in Dawson. Authorities identified Kevin Odell Croft, 39, of Dawson, and discovered he had outstanding warrants. During a search of the vehicle, deputies reportedly found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Croft was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and served with an active warrant from the Geraldine Police Department.

On May 28, a deputy stopped a vehicle for speeding on Alabama Highway 176 near Dogtown. The driver, Devin Scott Speakman, 29, of Collinsville, was allegedly found in possession of drug paraphernalia and an AR-15-style rifle.

Investigators later determined Speakman was a convicted felon. He was charged with Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess Firearms, Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Later that day, investigators recovered two additional firearms from his residence, resulting in two more counts of Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess Firearms.

The charges were announced by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office as part of its monthly summary of drug enforcement activity. All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.