FORT PAYNE– A four-week investigation involving agencies in three states led to the arrest of a Geraldine man wanted on a felony child sexual abuse charge, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities also arrested a Rossville, Georgia, man accused of helping the suspect avoid law enforcement.
Charles Wayne Hice Sr., 66, of Geraldine, faces a DeKalb County charge of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12. Hice remained in custody in Tennessee and awaited extradition to Alabama when the Sheriff’s Office issued the release.
Jonathan Lecroy, 41, of Rossville, faces an accessory after the fact charge in East Ridge, Tennessee. He also remained in custody in Tennessee.
Investigation Begins Near Geraldine
The investigation began near the end of June after the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and Alabama Department of Human Resources received a report of suspected child sexual abuse at a home near Geraldine.
Investigators and DHR personnel responded to the complaint. After a forensic interview through the Children’s Advocacy Center, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Hice.
However, authorities said Hice left Alabama before officers could serve the warrant.
Over the next three weeks, investigators interviewed several witnesses. The Sheriff’s Office said investigators developed information involving alleged abuse over several years. They also identified additional alleged victims in Alabama and Georgia.
Search Moves Across State Lines
During the search, investigators received information that Hice had been seen near Rossville. Authorities also learned he may have been in contact with Lecroy.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Rossville and DeKalb County investigators questioned Lecroy about Hice’s location. Lecroy reportedly claimed Hice had visited his property about three weeks earlier but later left on foot.
Investigators told Lecroy that Hice was a wanted fugitive. They also instructed him to contact law enforcement if he learned anything about Hice’s location.
On the morning of Friday, July 24, investigators received a tip placing Hice at a hotel on Ringgold Road in East Ridge.
DeKalb County investigators contacted the East Ridge Police Department to confirm the information. When East Ridge detectives arrived, they found a truck belonging to Lecroy parked at the hotel.
Detectives later saw Hice enter the truck with another man, whom they identified as Lecroy. Officers then conducted a traffic stop.
Authorities took Hice into custody without incident on the outstanding felony warrant. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Lecroy admitted that he rented the hotel room for Hice and provided him with transportation.
Officers arrested Lecroy at the scene.
Sheriff Praises Multi-Agency Investigation
“Protecting children is the highest duty of law enforcement, and our investigators worked tirelessly alongside our partner agencies across state lines to bring this fugitive to justice,” Sheriff Nick Welden said.
Welden thanked the Alabama Department of Human Resources, the Children’s Advocacy Center, Rossville Police Department, and East Ridge Police Department for assisting with the investigation and arrests.
The charges against Hice and Lecroy remain allegations. Both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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