CULLMAN – The Cullman Police Department on Tuesday arrested 24 people while conducting a felony warrant roundup. The suspects were arrested for a variety of charges involving drugs and thefts.
According to a media release from the CPD, most of the charges were drug-related but often drug crimes and thefts go hand in hand.
CPD Capt. of Investigation Becky Boyd said in the release that the roundup was the result of work by investigators, primarily Justin Craft and Scott Sanford, who are dedicated to working narcotic crimes, and a newly formed team of officers focused on suppressing crime in the city of Cullman. The team is made up by officers Trey Higginbotham, Dustin Colburn and Cole Kelley and is led by Sgt. Chris Thomason. Boyd says the team has been working since early summer and has focused on combating drug problems, working in high crime areas and serving outstanding warrants as well as working general patrol during shift shortages.
Those arrested were:
- Robert Clifford Hood, 59, of Holly Pond: two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance
- Morgan Alyssa Jowers Duckett, 23, of Holly Pond: unlawful breaking and entering motor vehicle
- Donald Joe Lynn Jr., 26, West Point: unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia
- Devante Lashaun Smith, 21, of Birmingham: two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance
- Logan Ashleigh Ayers, 21, of Cullman: second-degree theft of property
- Sonya Olivia Sharee Chappell, 23, of Hanceville: unlawful distribution of a controlled substance
- Gerald Allan Bailey, 55, of Eva: unlawful distribution of a controlled substance
- David Michael Wilhelm, 24, of Cold Springs: second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
- William Russell Hardy, 43, of Hayden: three counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance
- Christy Lee Eddy, 37, of Hanceville: two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance
- Christopher Shane Lewter, 39, of Hanceville: unlawful distribution of a controlled substance
- Devron Drake, 19, of Cullman: illegal possession of prescription drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia
- Wade Alan Wilhite, 35, of Vinemont: three counts unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia (Suspect allegedly distributed methamphetamine.)
- Barry Ray Wise, 47, of Cullman: three counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (Suspect allegedly distributed methamphetamine and marijuana.)
- James Doss, 72, of Cullman: three counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (Suspect allegedly distributed morphine and hydrocodone pills.)
- Judy Waldrep Hall, 62, of Cullman: two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (Suspect allegedly distributed oxycodone pills.)
- Gary Wayne Brown, 61, of Cullman: unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (Suspect allegedly distributed Tramadol pills.)
- Ralph Edwin Reeves, 57, of Welti: unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (Suspect allegedly distributed methamphetamine.) Reeves was on probation at the time of the arrest.
- William Newton Johnson, 59, of Cullman: two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (Suspect allegedly distributed methamphetamine and clonazepam pills.)
- Tammy Leigh McFadden, 27, of Berlin: unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia (Suspect was allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.)
- Matthew Johnson, 33 of Berlin: unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia (Suspect was allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.)
- Gregory Baskins, 28, of Sheffield: unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia (Suspect allegedly had methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.)
- Rita Ivey, 43, of Foley: unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia (Suspect allegedly had methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia at the time of the arrest.)
- Justin Smith, 41, of Arab: two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (Suspect allegedly distributed methamphetamine.)
The CPD says the new Crime Suppression Team has been responsible for approximately 200 cases, which include some of the warrants served on Tuesday. These cases include undercover drug operations, trafficking and possession of illegal drugs (including methamphetamine, crack cocaine, opiates) and an assortment of other illegal drugs, recovery of stolen property and forgery.
Craft’s and Sanford’s primary responsibilities are working narcotics, according to Boyd. They work all cases involving the theft of medications, follow up on all tips received from the public about illegal drug use, conduct undercover operations including drug buys and search warrants, do surveillance and serve warrants.
Boyd says Craft and Sanford and the Crime Suppression Team often work together in their duties, saying it has been extremely beneficial in the efforts of the department to combat illegal drugs in the community.
The felony warrant roundup was conducted by the Investigative Division and Crime Suppression Team and assisted by Patrol Sgt. Intae Suh and Officer Kelly Hubbard.
“I could not be prouder of the work of all officers involved in this operation,” said Boyd. “We are dedicated to serve our citizens and will continue to be proactive in our efforts to limit criminal activity in our community. I would also like to pass along a message from Investigators Craft and Sanford to anyone selling illegal drugs in our community: ‘Anyone selling drugs in Cullman should know that the warrant book in not empty. Your name may still be on our list and we will be coming to see you.’”
Copyright 2017 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Pictured above:
Top row, l-r: Barry Wise, Christopher Lewter, Christy Eddy, David Wilhelm, Devron Drake, Donald Lynn, Jr.
Second row, l-r: Gary Brown, Gerald Bailey, Gregory Baskins, James Doss, Judy Hall, Justin Smith
Third row, l-r: Logan Ayers, Matthew Johnson, Morgan Duckett, Ralph Reeves, Rita Ivey, Robert Hood
Bottom row, l-r: Shelby Garrett, Sonya Chappell, Tamy McFadden, Wade Wilhite, William Hardy, William Johnson
