Sheriff Welden warns parents of fentanyl dangers
Staff Report
FORT PAYNE, Ala. —Summer is ending, but unfortunately, that doesn’t slow down illegal drug abuse. Before the start of school, DeKalb County, Jackson County, and Dade County Sheriff’s Office came together to conduct a county-wide safe street back-to-school saturation. During this saturation, a trafficking amount of fentanyl was confiscated. Many people are not fully aware of just how dangerous this drug is.
Clandestinely produced fentanyl is usually a powder added to other drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and even marijuana. It can also be pressed into counterfeit pills that can look like oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin, Xanax, alprazolam, Adderall, ecstasy, molly, or other pills or tablets.
Please talk with your children about fentanyl, and have a calm, direct conversation with no judgments. Keep an eye on what is in your child’s backpack, room, car, and things on their phone. Talk to them about the risk and not to take anything from anyone. One pill can kill. A naive mistake can be deadly.
We want to thank DeKalb County Narcotics Agents, Jackson, Dade, and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Sylvania, Henagar, Crossville, Geraldine, Ider, Collinsville, Fyffe, and Rainsville Police Departments, Collinsville K-9 Unit, Alabama Pardons and Parole Officers and Corrections Officers with DeKalb County Detention Center for everything they do. We will continue to fight this war on drugs.
On Friday, July 28th, Narcotics Agents executed a search warrant at a residence on Hwy 117 after receiving information about a male subject dealing illegal drugs. During a residence search, Agents found a trafficking amount of fentanyl, methamphetamine, acid, cocaine, dabb, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Scott William Haldane (48 of Ider) was charged with Trafficking in any Illegal Drug, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x4), and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd.
On Thursday, July 6th, Officers with Sylvania Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Hwy 75 and Shankles Road. During the stop, approximately 5 grams of methamphetamine was located in the vehicle. Jerry Lee Miller II (36, of Scottsboro) was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.
On Friday, July 7th, Officers with Sylvania Police Department were conducting a safety checkpoint at County Road 47. As a vehicle approached the checkpoint, the driver threw a bag out of the window. After the bag was retrieved and suspected of methamphetamine, the vehicle was searched. Marijuana was found inside the vehicle. Michael Wayne Townson (33 of Dutton) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substances, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st.
On Sunday, July 9th, Officers with Henagar Police Department responded to a residence on Andrew Lee Drive of a young juvenile finding illegal narcotics that had been dropped by a female who was using a fake name. Narcotic Agents soon determined the female was Dean Spurgeon Williams (53 of Fort Payne), who also had outstanding warrants. Williams was charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Endangering Child Welfare, Using False ID to Obstruct Justice, and three warrants for Failure to Appear.
On Monday, July 10th, DeKalb County Deputies were at a local restaurant when they saw Jonathan Michael Gray (39 of Gadsden), who they knew had active warrants. Gray was also found in possession of synthetic marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Gray was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and two warrants for Failure to Appear.
On Monday, July 10th, Narcotics Agents conducted a search warrant at a residence on County Road 72 in the Grove Oak area after several complaints of drug use. Daniel Ray Brown (31 of Grove Oak) was charged with Trafficking in Any Illegal Drug, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Carolyn Felecia Wilson (51 of Fyffe) and Carrie Jean Venable (62 of Fyffe) were both charged with Trafficking in Any Illegal Drug, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Tuesday, July 11th, DeKalb County Deputies made a traffic stop on County Road 370, finding the driver possessing methamphetamine, Xanax, and drug paraphernalia. Sarah Elizabeth Davis (41 of Boaz) was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled substance (x2), Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Using False ID to Obstruct Justice, and two warrants for Failure to Appear.
Again, on Tuesday, DeKalb County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Hwy 176, finding the driver to have methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Robert Young Davis (52 of Collinsville) was charged with Probation Violation (x2), Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substances.
On Wednesday, July 12th, Narcotics Agents conducted a search warrant on Robin Hood Drive in Fyffe. During a search of the house, a trafficking amount of methamphetamine was found. Two different types of controlled pills and drug paraphernalia were also found in the residence. Justin Dewey Martin (26 of Fyffe) and Mary Guffey Subias (32 of Sylvania) were both charged with Trafficking in Any Illegal Drug, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting Arrest, and Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x2).
Again, on Wednesday, Officers with Crossville Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Hwy 68 in Crossville. Collinsville K-9 Unit arrived on the scene to assist with the stop. During the search, the K-9 Unit was deployed with a positive alert. Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found. Jerry Ralph Aaron (41 of Attalla) and Jennifer Shallon Ford (43 of Attalla) were both charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substances.
Also, on Wednesday, Officers with Alabama Pardon and Paroles went to the residence of Jeremy Owens Fossett (51 of Fort Payne) to conduct an in-home visit. While there, Officers found synthetic marijuana, a residual amount of methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia. Fossett was charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substances, and Parole Violation.
On Thursday, July 13th, Narcotics Agents went to the Super 8 Motel in Rainsville after several calls of suspected drug abuse. While there, Agents found Derrick Lagundez Burke (35 of Rainsville) to have approximately one lb. of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a firearm. Burke was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st and Drug Paraphernalia.
On Friday, July 14th, Melissa Leshae Biddle (43 of Henagar) was brought into the DeKalb County Detention Center on active warrants. After arriving with Biddle, she told Corrections Officers she had methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Biddle was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and three warrants for Failure to Appear.
Again, on Friday, Officers with Geraldine Police Department conducted a traffic stop on County Road 52 near Hwy 227 in Geraldine. During the stop, Elizabeth Landers Miller (60, of Crossville) was found holding an envelope containing fentanyl. Miller was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substances and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Also, on Friday, Officers with Ider Police Department were involved in a vehicle pursuit on Hwy 75. After the vehicle struck a mailbox, the driver fled on foot. Narcotics Agents were called to the scene to help locate the driver. A short time later, Dennis Shane Frazier (49, of Henagar) was located and placed in custody. Frazier was found in possession of methamphetamine. Frazier was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Mischief 3rd, Attempt to Elude (x2), Reckless Endangerment, Parole Violation, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Monday, July 24th, Narcotics Agents received information of an individual on Carissa Road having fentanyl. Agents, along with Officers with Sylvania Police Department, went to the residence to execute a search warrant. Tylin Marlene Cisco (19, of Sylvania) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substances and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Again, on Monday, Officers with Collinsville Police Department responded to the Piggly Wiggly after receiving complaints of an individual in the parking lot looking into vehicles. When Officers approached the male subject, he started fighting with the Officers, attempting to disarm the Officers. DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and Crossville Police Department arrived to assist Officers. Once the situation was under control, Andre Ladon Orr (50, of Collinsville) was arrested and found possessing synthetic marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Orr was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Trespass 3rd, and Disarming a Law Enforcement Officer or Corrections Officer.
Again, on Friday, Officers with Fyffe Police Department and DeKalb County Deputies responded to a residence on Davis Road after receiving a call of a possible overdose. When Officers arrived, they found John Eugene McClendon (52 of Fyffe) lying across the bed with marijuana and methamphetamine beside him. While collecting evidence, a vehicle pulled into the driveway. While searching the vehicle, approximately 29 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found. McClendon was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd. Keila Brewster (38 of Rainsville) was charged with Trafficking in any Illegal Drug and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On Sunday, July 30th, DeKalb County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the Grove Oak area, finding the driver possessing marijuana and two hits of acid. Evan Blake Holtzclaw (25 of Guntersville) was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Again, DeKalb County Deputies conducted a traffic stop near County Road 52 in the Lebanon area on Sunday. Synthetic marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found in the vehicle. Craig Jerome Maddox (23 of Collinsville) was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (x2), Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Promoting Prison Contraband 2nd (x2), and Tampering with Physical Evidence (x2). Christinna Laurie Tucker (35, of Collinsville) was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Katelin Dawn Gilliam (26 of Sylvania) was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Promoting Prison Contraband 2nd. After arriving at the DeKalb County Detention Center, Maddox and Gilliam were found to have synthetic marijuana.
DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the incident: “As school is about to start back, remind your children that the SROs are working diligently in our schools to protect them. They are a huge resource and friend to our youth, don’t hesitate to talk with them”.
“Our Family is your Family; let’s protect each other.”
“God Bless!” Concluded Sheriff Welden.
Mountain Valley News (MVN) is your trusted source for weekly hometown news, serving the vibrant communities of DeKalb and Jackson Counties in the heart of Alabama. We're here to bring you the latest stories, events, and happenings, all available conveniently both online and in print.
At MVN, we believe that community engagement is essential. We want to hear from you, our valued readers! Share your opinions, insights, and thoughts on our articles by adding a comment below each story. Your perspective matters, and your comments contribute to the rich tapestry of discussions in our community.
Together, we can foster meaningful conversations and build a stronger sense of community. Join us in shaping the narrative of DeKalb and Jackson Counties. Your voice is important, and we look forward to reading your comments. Let's make our community news a truly interactive experience!
Have a story idea or a topic you'd like to see covered? Feel free to suggest it in the comments or reach out to our dedicated team. We're here to serve you, and your feedback helps us tailor our content to your interests and needs.