PAGE 7 July 2025 The Sports Ledger www.TheSportsLedger.com Eighteen Arrested for Drugs
Alabama Ledger www.AlabamaLedger.com
during a search of the vehicle. Jeffery Edward Bearden (37 of Collinsville) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On June 20, Deputies received a call about a vehicle driving recklessly on County Road 51. Deputies soon spotted the vehicle out of gas on the side of the road. During a search, methamphetamine, Suboxone and Xanax were found. Kari Brittain Kent (36 of Crossville) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x3) and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On June 23, DCSO Corrections Officers found several controlled pills on Cindy Ashburn Samples (49 of Powell) after she was brought in on charges by the Powell Police Department. Samples was charged with Criminal Trespass 2nd, Public Intoxication, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x2), Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Promote Prison Contraband 2nd. Also on June 23, Collinsville officers conducted a traffic stop on Highway 68 near I-59 finding methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Timothy Gene White (46 of Collinsville) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Non-payment Child Support (x2) and Contempt of Court. On June 25, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Greenbriar Road in Henagar finding Jeremy Larail Justice (42 of Kansas City, Mo) to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Justice was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and 4 warrants for Failure to Appear. On June 26, the DeKalb County Investigation Unit was conducting a safety check point in Deer Head Cove. During a vehicle check, Allison Mackenzie Lenser (26 of Higdon) and David Vincent Raines (age 46) were found to be in possession of more than 8 grams, but less than 28 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Lenser and Raines were both charged with Unlawful Possession with Intent to Distribute – controlled substance, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd and unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Also on June 26, Deputies were conducting a safety check point on County Road 155 and County Road 169 when a vehicle driven by Dannie Charles Christiansen (56 of Flat Rock) who was wanted in St. Clair County. Fentanyl was found inside the vehicle. Christiansen and passenger Lloyd Hillard Whitley (58 of Higdon) were both charged with Trafficking in any Illegal Drug and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On June 29, deputies went to Haymon Homes in Powell to serve a warrant when they smelled marijuana coming from the living facility. Once it was determined which room the smell was coming from, a search was conducted, with methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia being found. Randy Dwayne Grier, Jr (34 of Powell) was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Nash has also held leadership positions in civic organizations, serving as international vice president of the Jaycees, and on various public boards, including as the Chairman of the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Board and the Jackson County Hospital Authority. "Here in Jackson County, we are proud Hal has been selected as Chair of the Board of Pardons and Paroles,” said Jackson County Sheriff Rocky Harnen. “We know Hal has a wealth of experience in law enforcement, both on the enforcement and corrections sides, and we are confident he will do the state of Alabama well.” He also worked as an investigator, narcotics agent, deputy commander and commander under the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office after beginning his Alabama career with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. While in DeKalb County, he served five years with the United States Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force Huntsville Office. "I've had the privilege of working with Hal for over two decades and have personal experience with his character, integrity and discernment,” said Jackson County District Attorney Jason Pierce. “I am confident that his experiences as a law enforcement officer for multiple jurisdictions as well as working as the Chief Corrections Deputy for the Jackson County Jail gives Hal a unique perspective that well equips him to make the difficult decisions necessary as a member of the Board of Pardons and Paroles. He is an excellent appointment." Nash’s experience also includes time with the Chattanooga Police Reserve. “A safe Alabama is our goal, and Hal Nash will help build on public safety successes already achieved so far. I am grateful to outgoing Chair Leigh Gwathney, who has stood firm for public safety. Leigh was an important part of our reform of Pardons and Paroles for the better, and I commend her for serving at the helm and helping make a safer Alabama,” Governor Ivey concluded. The investigation remains active, and additional charges could be forthcoming. St. Pierre is a registered sex offender who was previously convicted of Child Pornography in 2021. He is currently on State Probation for that conviction. Following his arrest, he was booked into the Etowah County Detention Center, where at the time of the press release he was being held on a $460,000 cash bond and a no bond hold for Probation Violation. This arrest is a direct result of the relentless work of our ICAC Unit and our partnership with Rainbow City Police. Individuals who continue to exploit children online will be aggressively pursued and prosecuted. There is no place for this kind of crime in our community," said Sheriff Horton .
According to DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden, authorities arrested 18 individuals on drug related charges in June 2025. On June 2, deputies went to County Road 499 on a traffic stop. Upon their arrival, Roger Glenn Galbraith (59 of Flat Rock) took off running. Authorities quickly apprehended him in a field. Galbraith was found in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphrenia. Galbraith was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and 1 warrant for Failure to Appear. On June 6, deputies conducted a traffic stop on County Road 190 near Highway 68. During the stop, deputies identified the driver as Stephen Bruce (73 of Crossville). Bruce was found in possession of methamphetamine. Dustin Travis Bolt (45 of Crossville) was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Bruce and Bolt were both charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On June 9, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Highway 40 near County Road 85 after observing the driver fail to maintain lane of travel and the passenger throw something from the window. During a search, Deputies noticed Jason Ray Ayers (41 of Dawson) spit two baggies onto the ground, one contained hydrocodone and the other contained methamphetamine. Ayers was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x2), Tampering with Physical Evidence and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Also on June 9, deputies were on County Road 179 and observed Jonathon David Owens (51 of Crossville) throw a cigarette pack to the ground. Deputies picked up the pack finding a baggie containing methamphetamine. Owens was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On June 12, DeKalb County Narcotics Agents went to a residence on Highway 176 in the Mt. Vernon area to pick up Ethan Wayne Rogers (35 of Fort Payne), who Alabama Pardons and Parole had arrest orders for. Upon arrival, a white male took off running into the woods. Narcotics Agents and Probation Officers quickly apprehended Samuel Adam McKinney (50 of Collinsville), who was found in possession of methamphetamine. McKinney was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting Arrest and Attempt to Elude. Rogers was charged with Probation Violation. On June 16, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Highway 75 in Henagar for an expired tag. During the stop, Melissa Leshae Biddle (44 of Henagar) was identified and had outstanding warrants. Biddle was found in possession of methamphetamine. Biddle was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (x3), Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and 1 warrant for Failure to Appear. On June 19, an Officer with the Collinsville Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Highway 68 near I-59. Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has selected law enforcement candidate Hal Nash to serve as Chair of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. Pursuant to the law, the governor selects the candidate from a list of five qualified persons nominated by a board consisting of the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives and President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Nash currently serves as Chief Corrections Deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The governor sought to identify a tough-on-crime, fair and pro-law enforcement candidate with leadership experience from the list of nominees. “In 2019, we amended the law to ensure that the Board of Pardons and Paroles’ paramount duty will always be to ensure public safety, and Hal Nash is well-equipped to maintain the Board’s effectiveness in performing that task. He has a law enforcement perspective, and he has assured me he will approach each decision fairly and with that top goal in mind, which is to keep the people of Alabama safe,” said Governor Ivey. “Since he was a little boy, Mr. Nash dreamed of being in law enforcement, and it was not until age 40, he got his start. However, ever since then, he has been a dedicated member of law enforcement and brings wide-ranging law enforcement and leadership experience to this Board.” Nash has been with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for the last five years. “I am humbled by the appointment as Chair of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles by Governor Ivey and look forward to working with the other board members as we serve Alabama in this important public safety role,” said Nash. “This is not a position to be taken lightly. While remembering that people can choose to change for the better, this task will require weighing the safety of all the citizens of Alabama first. I pray for the wisdom to recognize both as I strive to serve the very best I can.” A Gadsden man has been arrested on Child Pornography charges. According to Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon Horton, on July 15, Investigators with the Etowah County Sheriff's Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, in conjunction with Detectives from the Rainbow City Police Department, executed a search warrant at a residence located at 2111 Gowens Road in Gadsden, Alabama. The warrant was part of an ongoing investigation into the possession of child pornography. As a result of the search, Jonathon David St. Pierre, a 59-year-old male from Gadsden, was arrested and charged with 23 counts of Possession of Child Pornography. Multiple electronic devices were seized during the operation and are being examined for further evidence.
Christopher Keith Nichelson
Man with warrants for Rape, Sodomy, and Child Sex Abuse found Living in Local Church
A man with warrants for rape, sodomy and sex abuse of a child from Mobile County, Alabama was found living in a Dekalb County church. According to DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden, on July 16, Investigators received information from an anonymous caller that an individual wanted in Mobile County by the name of, Christopher Keith Nichelson (age 47 of Fort Payne) was living in a church in DeKalb County. Investigators determined that Nichelson had arrest warrant's out of Mobile County, for sodomy first degree, rape first degree, and sex abuse of child less than twelve. After further investigation, authorities went to the church to attempt to arrest Nichelson where they found him sitting in his vehicle. Nichelson was detained and he told
investigators that his name was "Kevin." Nichelson's identity was confirmed and he was arrested for his warrants and will be extradited back to Mobile County. The unnamed church where Nichelson was staying was not involved in hiding him from law enforcement and they were fully cooperative. Welden added that the church was unaware that he was a wanted individual. Nichelson was not around children during the time he was living at the church. Sheriff Welden would like to thank DeKalb County investigators, Deputy's, the anonymous caller, and the sheriff's office drone unit for the quick apprehension of Nichelson. “We take crimes against children very seriously and will see that swift action is taken to protect them,” said Welden.
12 Fatal Crashes During July 4th Weekend
Hal Nash to Serve as Chair of the Board of Pardons and Paroles
The Alabama Law
Alabama’s newest boating safety laws. During the weekend A total of 83 Warnings were issued to non-residents operating without required certification There were 77 Warnings were issued for violations of Alabama’s Proximity Law Also, five warnings were issued for Wake Sport Violations, specific to five Alabama lakes (Shoal Creek, Lake Martin, Lake Wedowee, Smith Lake and Weiss Lake). During the holiday travel period, State Troopers assigned to the Highway Patrol Division responded to 314 traffic crashes that resulted in 155 injuries and 12 fatalities. The fatal crashes occurred in Dekalb, Mobile, Dale, Greene, Blount, Cleburne, Cullman and Montgomery counties. Also law enforcement efforts resulted in: • 2,826 Speeding Citations Issued • 394 Seat Belt Citations Issued • 19 Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Arrests “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives during the holiday weekend. Every life lost is a tragic reminder of why our mission is critical," said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. "At ALEA, we are committed to doing everything within our power to prevent such tragedies through education, enforcement and tireless dedication to public safety on both the waterways and roadways.” For more info visit www.ALEA.gov
Enforcement
Agency
(ALEA) released highway and marine patrol enforcement results from the Fourth of July travel period, which began at 12:01 a.m. on July 3, and concluded at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 6. Throughout the holiday weekend, all has available ALEA Troopers were actively patrolling on Alabama’s roadways and waterways with a clear focus help to save lives through proactive enforcement and education. Troopers assigned to ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division worked diligently to ensure boaters operated safely and within the law. Over the four-day period, seven boating accidents were investigated. These occurred on Lake Martin, Smith Lake, Logan Martin Lake, Guntersville Lake, Lake Eufaula and Coden Bayou. There were zero boating fatalities reported. One non-boating fatality (drowning) was reported on July 5, at Chickasabogue Creek in Mobile County. Enforcement efforts resulted in the following: • 749 Vessel Stops • 223 Citations Issued • 1,074 Warnings Issued • 8 Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Arrests The most common violations were: failing to Register/Properly Display Registration; Operating a Vessel Without a License; Insufficient Personal Flotation Devices; Improper Navigation Lights; Careless Operation; and Failure to Use Emergency Cut-Off Switch. ALEA State Troopers also focused on educating the public and enforcing
Man Arrested for Child Pornography
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