Alabama Ledger www.AlabamaLedger.com The Sports Ledger www.TheSportsLedger.com Fort Payne Police Department Report PAGE 5 March 2026 E-Edition
February 19, 2026
The following crime report was provided by the Fort Payne Police Department. All persons are presumed innocent until his or her guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. February 9, 2026 Incidents • Theft of Property – Occurred at Wal-Mart, miscellaneous items were taken, valued at $219.24 No Arrests and Five Accidents with No Injuries February 10, 2026 No Incidents and One Arrest • Diego Alonso Orozco Vazquez, age 27 of Fort Payne, was arrested on Two Warrants for Failure to Appear No Accidents February 11, 2026 Incidents • Damaged Property – Occurred at 200 Clark Ave NE, a door on a 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe was damaged, valued at $500.00 • Lost Property – Occurred at 2001 Glenn Blvd SW, a wallet and contents were lost, valued at $250.00 One Arrest • Michael Christopher Bailey, age 52 of Section, was arrested for Public Intoxication No Accidents February 12, 2026 Incidents • Criminal Mischief – Occurred at 102 Drinkard Drive NW, a tv, entertainment center, lamp, coffee table and wall were damaged, valued at $2000.00 • Theft of Property and Criminal Mischief – Occurred at 967 Creekstone Point Drive NE, a Glock pistol, a wallet with contents, and a cellphone were taken, a radio screen on a Dodge Charger and a 65” Samsung TV were damaged, valued at $5050.00 Three Arrests • Jydon Miguel Cameron, age 25 of Fort Payne, was arrested on a Warrant for Failure to Appear • Cory Nicholas Workman, age 39 of Higdon, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest • James Leslie Maze, age 35 of Fort Payne, was arrested on a Warrant for Outside Agency Four Accidents with No Injuries February 13, 2026 No Incidents and Five Arrests • Michael Shawn Mitchell, age 44 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Criminal Trespass • Ferdinand Dwight Walker, age 43 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Andres Jose Andres, age 38 of Fort Payne, was arrested for DUI • Daniel Wade Germany, age 50 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Theft of Property • Juan A Antonio Matias, age 25 of Fort Payne, was arrested for DUI Two Accidents with No Injuries February 14, 2026 No Incidents and Four Arrests • A 17 year old juvenile male of Rainsville was arrested for Underage Consumption of Alcohol • A 16 year old juvenile male of Section was arrested for Underage Consumption of Alcohol • A 17 year old juvenile male of Sylvania was arrested for Underage Consumption of Alcohol • Timothy Duard Posey, age 61 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, DUI, and Damaged Property One Accident with No Injuries February 15, 2026 No Incidents and One Arrests • Tremayne Antonio Chaney, age 40 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Domestic Violence No Accidents February 16, 2026 Incidents • Damaged Property – Occurred at 400 Grand Ave NW, a stop sign was damaged, valued at $200.00 • Suspicious Activity – Occurred at 2005 Sanders Ave NE, 12 lug nuts were taken, valued at $50.00 No Arrest and No Accidents February 17, 2026 No Incidents and Two Arrests • Nicholas Steven Wolgast, age 35 of Collinsville, was arrested on a Warrant for Failure to Appear • Tara Nicole Myrick, age 41 of Fyffe, was arrested for Theft of Property Two Accidents wit no Injuries February 18, 2026 No Incidents and One Arrest • Sylus Rae Herrera, age 21 of Houston, TX, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Two Accidents with one Injury • An accident occurred at Glenn Blvd SW, Marquita Wynetta Cole, age 52 of Rainsville, driving a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban, struck Penny McElrath Leek, age 60 of Rainbow City, driving a 2014 Mercury. Leek was transported to Dekalb Regional.
Incidents •
Damage to City Property – Occurred at 4501 Gault Ave N, a section of pavement was damaged, valued at $1000.00 Four Arrests • Brandon Eugene Graham, age 41 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Eight Warrants for Failure to Appear at 8:44 am • Michael Darnell Carter, age 51 of Fort Payne, was arrested on a Warrant for Failure to Appear at 11:00 am • Lea Zackary O’tinger, age 27 of Scottsboro, was arrested on a Warrant for Failure to Appear at 2:16 pm • Alicia Diane McKinney, age 37 of Fort Payne, was arrested on a Warrant for Assault at 6:40 pm Two Accidents with No Injuries February 20, 2026 Two Incidents • Theft of Property – Occurred at Wal-Mart, miscellaneous merchandise was taken, valued at $17.94 • Theft of Property – Occurred at Dunham’s, miscellaneous merchandise was taken, valued at $284.99 Three Arrests • Peyton Cash Manning, age 20 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Public Intoxication • David Quinelle King, age 55 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Theft of Property • Cindy Vanessa Vidal, age 24 of Crossville, was arrested on a Warrant for Outside Agency No Accidents February 21, 2026 Incidents • Theft of Property – Occurred at 2008 Sanders Ave NE, $60.00 in currency was taken One Arrest • Donna Deanne Daniel, age 40 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance One Accident with No Injuries February 22, 2026 No Incidents Two Arrests • Aleah Danielle Bradley, age 23 of Rainsville, was arrested for DUI • Charles Lee Marler, age 44 of Fort Payne, was arrested for Theft of Property and Criminal Trespass One Accident with No Injuries Within the first few months of 2026, most people have made and broken at least one New Year’s resolution. More often than not, those resolutions involve health improvement. However, one step that every individual can take to improve their health and prevent chronic disease doesn’t involve diet, exercise or major lifestyle changes. Research indicates that maintaining positive social connections can help people live longer and healthier lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. report feeling lonely while 1 in 4 report not having social and emotional support. Social isolation and loneliness increase the risk of many chronic conditions and illnesses including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, depression and anxiety, and dementia. The link between social connection and physical health is strongest in heart disease and stroke outcomes. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the lack of social relationships – including social isolation, poor social support and loneliness – are associated with a 29% increase in the risk of heart disease and a 32% increase in the risk of stroke. “More and more research shows that social connection is a critical component of overall health and well-being,” said Dr. Jonathan Mikhail, family medicine physician at Gadsden Family Practice. “This is something we most frequently see in older adults, but social isolation and loneliness can affect physical health at any age. It is important to be aware of the signs and risk factors, and talk with your physician about resources and support.” Social isolation is when a person does not have relationships or contact with others. Loneliness is when an individual feels alone or disconnected from others, even if they have social relationships. Risk factors include having a pre-existing chronic disease or long-term disability, having limited access to resources such as transportation, and experiencing a significant event such as divorce, unemployment or the loss of a loved one. “Patients should feel comfortable talking with their physician about what they’re experiencing day to day and any major shifts in their mood, energy level and routines,” said Dr. Mikhail. “There is no one size fits all solution, but having the support of a physician is an important step in preventing social isolation and loneliness from leading to serious health issues.” Dr. Mikhail says patients often benefit from local support groups and mental health resources, as well as joining community organizations and volunteering. Many communities also offer local services to support social connection such as transportation services and free activities at libraries and community centers. An annual wellness exam is recommended for all adults to reduce the risk of preventable health problems. Address Social Isolation and Loneliness to Improve Health and Well-Being
How ALEA’s Fusion Center Helps Bring Missing Alabamians Home
When an individual goes missing, swift coordination and clear communication can make all the difference. In recognition of the recent 2026 National Missing Persons Day, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is highlighting the critical role the Alabama Fusion Center (AFC) plays in issuing and supporting missing person alerts across Alabama, as well as using this day to spread awareness regarding the state’s different alerts and what citizens need to know. “The Fusion Center serves as a vital hub for information sharing, coordination and analytical support when someone goes missing,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “Every alert we issue, every flyer we create, and every case we support represents a person who matters to a family and a community. Our mission is simple, to use every resource available to help bring them home safely.” The State of Alabama utilizes four types of Missing Person Alerts: AMBER Alerts, Emergency Missing Child Alerts (EMCA), Missing and Endangered Person Alerts (MEPA) and Blue Alerts. Each alert has specific criteria that must be met and requires sufficient information to assist in locating the missing individual, officer, or suspect. In any situation involving a missing child or adult, the first and most important step is to notify law enforcement immediately. There is no waiting period to report a missing person, and no alert requires an individual to be missing for a certain amount of time. However, only a law enforcement agency can request activation of the state alert system. Understanding the purpose and criteria of each alert helps the public respond effectively when time is critical. The Alerts include: 1. AMBER Alert – Issued when a child under the age of 18 has been abducted and is believed to be in immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death. Alabama follows the U.S. Department of Justice’s recommended AMBER Alert guidelines. Due to the strict criteria, AMBER Alerts are rare but highly targeted. 2. Emergency Missing Child Alert (EMCA) – Applies when a child under the age of 18 is missing, has not been abducted, and is believed to be in danger of serious bodily harm or death. While both alerts involve endangered children, the key distinction is whether law enforcement believes an abduction has occurred. 3. Missing and Endangered Person Alert (MEPA) – Issued for individuals who are missing and living with a mental or physical disability, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or autism, or for individuals who have been abducted and are believed to be in danger. 4. Blue Alert – Issued when a law enforcement officer is missing, injured, or killed in the line of duty and the suspect is believed to pose a serious threat to the public. All alerts are published on ALEA’s website and distributed through a high-speed community notification system, CodeRED, which citizens can opt into. AMBER Alerts and Blue Alerts are also delivered automatically to mobile devices via Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and broadcast through radio and television using the Emergency Alert System (EAS).
For missing persons who do not meet alert criteria, ALEA’s Fusion Center continues to provide analytical support and promote awareness by posting cases on the Community Information Center to assist local law enforcement and generate leads. “There is a common misconception that if an AMBER Alert is not issued, a missing child is not being actively searched for,” said Jay Moseley, Director of the Alabama Fusion Center. “An AMBER Alert is just one of many tools available. Behind every case, whether it is a missing child or adult, is a dedicated team at the Fusion Center working around the clock, analyzing information, coordinating with agencies and supporting investigators in the field. Regardless of the alert type, our commitment remains the same: to use every available resource to help locate missing individuals and support a safe recovery.” In 2025, the Alabama Fusion Center issued 90 missing person alerts and posted an additional 111 cases for community awareness statewide. The 90 alerts issued included: • 1 AMBER Alert • 1 Blue Alert • 67 Missing and Endangered Person Alerts (MEPA) • 21 Emergency Missing Child Alerts (EMCA) These figures reflect only cases where local law enforcement requested ALEA’s assistance and underscore the rarity of AMBER Alerts. Nationwide, as of December 2025, 1,292 children have been safely recovered as a direct result of AMBER Alerts, with at least 241 recoveries linked to Wireless Emergency Alerts, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In 2024, more than 349,000 reports of missing youth were entered into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC). ALEA encourages the public to take the following steps to help ensure they receive timely information and know how to act when someone goes missing: • Sign up for community notifications. Citizens can receive missing person alerts directly by enrolling online or by texting ALALERTS to 24639. Opting in ensures critical information reaches the public quickly. • Report missing persons immediately. If a child or loved one is missing, contact local law enforcement right away. Be prepared to provide key details such as name, age, physical description, unique identifiers (birthmarks, scars, tattoos, glasses, or piercings), and a recent, clear photograph. Early reporting is critical to a safe recovery. • Know the available resources. In addition to the statewide alert system, ALEA supports Project Lifesaver, a program designed to help locate at- risk individuals who may wander due to medical conditions. ALEA’s Aviation Unit assists by using specialized radio technology to quickly locate enrolled individuals by air. To learn more about obtaining a Project Lifesaver bracelet, contact your local Sheriff’s Office. For more information about missing person alerts and resources, visit www.alea.gov.
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