ALEA – Shoals Insider

ALEA’s Statement Concerning Thanksgiving Shootings at Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, Ala.

Staff — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 17:57:30 +0000

Emantic Bradford Jr. has been identified as the 21-year-old man shot

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) received a request Friday, Nov. 23, from Tenth Judicial Circuit District Attorney Mike Anderton to investigate two shooting incidents that occurred Thursday, Nov. 22, at the Riverchase Galleria in the Jefferson County, Ala., the city of Hoover. D.A. Anderton requested ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) take the lead in an officer-involved shooting involving Hoover Police Department, as well as a shooting that occurred prior to the officer-involved incident at the same location. The request was submitted collaboratively by the D.A., Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale, Sheriff-Elect Mark Pettway and Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis to ensure an independent and transparent investigation by an outside agency with Hoover PD’s full cooperation.

SBI agreed to lead the investigation of both events and SBI Agents engaged with Hoover PD and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigators to determine information that has developed to date.

The events in question occurred Thanksgiving night in one of Alabama’s largest indoor shopping venues. Once the SBI completes its investigation, the file in its entirety will be turned over to the Tenth Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. SBI does not release information in relation to ongoing/pending investigations.

Individuals with information concerning these shooting incidents are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama at 205.254.7777 or email a tip to https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=646&C=202020.

TROOPERS HAVE BUSY HOLIDAY WEEK

Staff — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 21:56:46 +0000

In 2017, Alabama traffic statistics covered a 5 day period, which was from Friday, June 30, to Tuesday, July 4. In 2018, the below Alabama traffic statistics covered a total of 10 days, which was from Friday June 29, to Sunday, July 8.

Between Friday, June 29, and Sunday, July 8, we had:

On Saturday, June 30, was the deadliest day, with 5 traffic fatalities – 4 motorcyclists, 1 motorcycle passenger – in Cullman, Limestone, Marshall and Mobile counties.

On Sunday, July 8, was the only day with 0 traffic fatalities.

On Wednesday, July 4, had 1 traffic fatality (Geneva County). It was the passenger of a vehicle equipped with seat belt but not using a seat belt at time of crash.

On The rest of the travel period:

18 traffic fatalities (including the 5 on June 30).

6 drivers, 3 passengers, 3 pedestrians, 5 motorcyclists, 1 motorcycle passenger.

5 seat belts in use, 4 seat belts not in use, seat belts not applicable for 9 individuals killed (pedestrians and motorcyclists).

Counties: Bullock, Cullman, Franklin, Geneva, Jefferson, Limestone, Lowndes, Marengo, Marion, Marshall, Mobile, St. Clair, Talladega, Walker.

During this same time period, Troopers in Marine Patrol Division worked 2 deaths on Alabama waterways:

Although a few incidents still may be added to Marine Patrol’s boat-accident reporting system, there were 8 zero-incident days during the holiday period.

2 boating fatalities Wednesday, July 4, in Hale County.

4 crashes with property damage (including the fatal crash) on July 2 and July 4. Counties: Baldwin, Hale Morgan and Tallapoosa.

Troopers Encourage Parental Involvement to Prevent Underage Use of Alcohol, Tobacco

Staff — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 05:14:23 +0000

MONTGOMERY – Summer has officially arrived. Teens are out of school, giving them more free time – often at home alone or with friends. What is to stop them from consuming alcoholic beverages and tobacco products?

“Parental involvement is key,” said Lt. Darick Wilson, an Agent with the State Bureau of Investigation’s Alcohol/Tobacco Enforcement Division. “Some parents may not realize just how important a role they play in preventing underage use of alcohol and tobacco.”

An involved parent who communicates with his or her teen has a greater chance of making a positive impact on their teen, he said, adding that parents may find the following tips helpful during the summer break and throughout the year:

Talk with your teen – and listen to them: Ask about plans before they leave home to meet friends, to attend parties, to “hang” with their buddies. Insist they inform you if those plans change. Teens who do not have adult supervision are far more likely to consume alcohol and/or tobacco.

Monitor banking activity: More and more teens have their own bank accounts and debit cards. Frequently check their accounts for unusual activity. If he or she spent $15 at a gas station but didn’t purchase gas, ask about the purchase.

Inspect their wallets, purses, and backpacks: Look for fake IDs.

If you have alcohol and/or tobacco products at home, keep them locked up if possible: Closely monitor your inventory, and keep an eye out for missing products.

Get to know your teen’s friends and their friends’ parents: Make sure your teen isn’t obtaining alcohol and/or tobacco products from their friends’ parents.

Look for changes in behavior: Have you noticed a difference in your teen’s temperament or disposition? Are they sleeping more or less? Are they hanging around a different crowd? (During the school year, have you noticed declining grades?)

Know the law: In Alabama, you must be 21 or older to consume alcoholic beverages, and 19 and older to use tobacco products.

To report a business that is willfully selling these products to minors, please contact your local law enforcement.

There’s Nothing Wrong with Playing during Spring Break – as Long as You Play it Safe

Staff — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 16:01:21 +0000

MONTGOMERY — Spring Break is all about relaxation and recreation, but the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) urges everyone to play it safe.

Between now and the end of April, Alabama motorists should expect busier roadways and waterways across the state as families and high school/college students head to the beach, lake or other warm-weather attraction for a little spring break fun.

Whatever the plans, ALEA will work to ensure public safety, with Alabama State Troopers enforcing state laws and assisting motorists and boaters.

“Spring break should be fun. We do, however, ask everyone to move safety to the top of the to-do list when planning road trips,” Secretary of Law Enforcement Stan Stabler said. “Parents, sit down with your students — particularly those who will travel with friends — and review Alabama’s traffic and boating laws. Remind them to buckle up, to obey speed limits, to avoid texting and other distractions while driving and to use life vests while boating.”

Secretary Stabler said parents also should remind their children who are younger than 21 of the state’s law pertaining to underage drinking, and they should closely monitor teens to prevent underage consumption of alcoholic beverages. “This piece of advice applies to prom season, as well,” he said.

Another key to a safe spring break is a clear understanding of the state’s Graduated Driver License law, a three-stage licensing process that places certain restrictions on young drivers who need time to acquire experience before driving without supervision or restrictions:

Stage I (learner’s permit): A teen is authorized to drive when accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or licensed driver age 21 or older who is occupying the front passenger seat.

Stage II (restricted license): A 16- or 17-year-old who has passed the road skills test may drive without supervision, but he or she must not have more than one passenger in the vehicle other than parents, legal guardians or family members; must not use any handheld communication devices while driving; must not drive between midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or licensed driver age 21 or older.

Stage III (unrestricted license): A 17-year-old who has held a Stage II license for six months or longer may obtain an unrestricted license. Anyone who is age 18 or older may bypass the first two stages and obtain a Stage III license after passing the road skills test.

For further information on Alabama’s boating, traffic and drinking laws, please visit www.alea.gov.

Troopers Investigate 31 Traffic Fatalities during Christmas-New Year’s Safety Initiative

Staff — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 01:55:14 +0000

Thirty-one individuals died in Alabama State Trooper-investigated traffic crashes during the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) 17-day campaign to promote traffic safety during the Christmas and New Year’s travel period.

The enforcement period, which began at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, and ended at midnight Sunday, Jan. 1, resulted in an increase from the previous year’s period for the same holidays, when Alabama State Troopers investigated 26 traffic deaths.

“One of the worst parts of a Trooper’s job is to investigate a deadly crash and notify family members, especially during what should be a festive time,” Secretary of Law Enforcement Stan Stabler said.

During this holiday travel period, 20 drivers, six passengers, one motorcyclist, one ATV operator, one UTV operator and two UTV passengers were killed. Of the 29 individuals killed who were traveling in vehicles equipped with seat belts, only seven were buckled up. And only one of the two individuals who should have been using a helmet was wearing one.

These traffic deaths bring the 2016 total of Trooper-investigated traffic fatalities to 671, which is 144 deaths more than the previous year.

Alabama Secretary of Law Enforcement Makes New Appointments

Staff — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 05:01:14 +0000

MONTGOMERY – Secretary of Law Enforcement Stan Stabler announced today, Dec. 2, Deputy Chief Susanna Capps and Robyn Bradley Bryan have joined the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Office of the Secretary.
“Although they both have been part of this agency for a number of years, I would like to welcome Deputy Chief Capps, whose new role will be to lead the agency’s Office of Special Investigations, and Mrs. Bryan, who will serve as ALEA’s Chief Public Information Officer,” Secretary Stabler said.
Deputy Chief Capps previously served as Highway Patrol Division’s Deputy Chief for south Alabama. A seasoned Alabama State Trooper for 20 years, she now is leading what in the past was the Office of Integrity, which now is combined with ALEA’s Cold Case Unit.
Before joining ALEA’s Public Information/Education Unit more than six years ago, Mrs. Bryan was a journalist for more than 20 years. As Chief PIO, she is working closely with the agency’s command staff, as well as the Governmental Relations team.
Secretary Stabler said, “With their experience and dedication to serving the people of Alabama, they both will be assets to our operation.”

Troopers Investigate 14 Traffic Deaths during Thanksgiving Travel Period

Staff — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 22:39:19 +0000

MONTGOMERY – Alabama State Troopers of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) investigated 14 traffic deaths during 2016’s five-day Thanksgiving travel period, which began at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, and ended at midnight Sunday, Nov. 27.

“There is never a good time to report traffic fatalities, particularly when we see an increase,” Secretary of Law Enforcement Stan Stabler said. “During Thanksgiving this year, our Troopers investigated four more traffic deaths than during the same extended holiday weekend in 2015.”

According to ALEA holiday travel period statistics, the fatal traffic crashes occurred in Baldwin, Calhoun, Choctaw, Cleburne, Coosa, Cullman, Limestone, Macon, Marshall, Mobile, Monroe, Shelby and Tuscaloosa counties. Among the 14 individuals killed were a motorcyclist who was using a helmet, and a 12-year-old who was operating an ATV without a helmet. Ten of the individuals were drivers, and two were passengers. Twelve of the individuals were traveling in vehicles equipped with seat belts, but only seven of them were buckled up.

In addition, Secretary Stabler said Troopers investigated 419 traffic crashes, resulting in 204 injuries during the travel period, and they assisted 200 motorists who encountered problems along Alabama’s roadways. Grant funding from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) made additional Trooper shifts possible.

During Thanksgiving travel period of 2015, which began at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, and ended at midnight Sunday, Nov. 29, Troopers investigated ten traffic deaths.

It is important to note this information is on Trooper-investigated traffic crashes. Statewide numbers are not available at this time. Nothing further is available as Troopers continue to investigate.

Woman Killed in Highway Accident

H. Wayne Nix — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 20:34:51 +0000

QUAD CITIES POST – A two-vehicle crash at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 4, has claimed the life of a Florence woman.

Debra Pendergrass Jones, 56, was killed when the 1998 Ford, in which she was a passenger, collided with a 2008 Nissan. Jones was transported to Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield where she died at 8:07 p.m. The crash occurred on Alabama 20, three miles east of Muscle Shoals. Nothing further is available as Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate.

ALEA Stresses Traffic, Boating Safety During Memorial Day Weekend

H. Wayne Nix — Fri, 20 May 2016 23:47:36 +0000

Troopers also Participating in National Safe Boating Week and the Click It Or Ticket Initiative

[Montgomery, Ala.] — It’s time to wrap up another school year, celebrate high school and college graduations and kick off the summer with Memorial Day Weekend. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) would like to remind everyone to play it safe along Alabama roadways and waterways this Memorial Day Weekend.

The official holiday travel period runs from 6 a.m. Friday, May 27, to midnight Monday, May 30, but Alabama State Troopers assigned to the Highway Patrol and Marine Patrol Divisions will work together throughout the next two weeks to create a highly visible enforcement presence and to promote public safety.

“We urge motorists and boaters of all ages to obey all traffic and boating laws to ensure everyone enjoys the extended holiday weekend and the coming warm-weather months,” Secretary of Law Enforcement Stan Stabler said. “We would like nothing more than to reduce the number of traffic and boating crashes, injuries and fatalities. We will team with our county and municipal law enforcement partners to serve and protect the citizens of Alabama, particularly on Memorial Day Weekend, when we typically see more traffic.”

This is also the time of year for high school and college graduations, with celebrations that frequently include alcohol, often with underage use. It is important for parents to be aware and monitor party-goers who are younger than 21.

During the days surrounding Memorial Day Weekend, Troopers will participate in two national safety campaigns: National Safe Boating Week, which begins Saturday, May 21, and runs through Friday, May 27; and Click It Or Ticket, which beginsMonday, May 23, and runs through Sunday, June 5, to promote the use of seat belts and child restraints.

Colonel John E. Richardson, director of the Department of Public Safety, said Troopers and other officers will be looking for motorists who are not buckled up. In Alabama, the seat belt law mandates that all front-seat occupants — regardless of age — be restrained. They also will engage in routine patrols, as well as traffic, boating and alcohol enforcement details, and they will be available to assist motorists. (Motorists may call *HP on cell phones to reach the nearest Highway Patrol post.)

ALEA also offers these tips for ensuring a safe Memorial Day Weekend and summer:

Remember Alabama’s seat belt law mandates that all front-seat occupants — regardless of age — be restrained. The state’s child restraint law requires the following size-appropriate restraint systems for children riding in front and back seats: Infant-only seats and convertible seats used in the rear-facing position for infants until at least 1 year of age or 20 pounds; convertible seats in the forward position or forward-facing seats until the child is at least 5 years of age or 40 pounds; booster seats until the child is 6 years of age; seat belts until the child is 15 years of age.

Buckle up — no matter how short the trip — on the road or on the water. Occupants of all ages should use seat belts or child restraints when traveling by motor vehicles. On waterways, all occupants of water vessels should use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.

Restrict access and closely monitoring teens to prevent underage use of alcoholic beverages.

Avoid driving or boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Focus on driving or boating and avoiding such distractions as texting and talking on cell phones.

Slow down in construction zones along the way. Drivers pose the greatest danger in work zone crashes by not paying attention, speeding and driving while impaired or distracted.

Pay attention to weather conditions, particularly when there is thunder and lightning. Storms can come up quickly, especially in warm weather, so keep an eye to the sky. Watch for temperature changes, shifts in wind patterns and changes in cloud formations.

“Troopers will target such dangerous behavior as speeding, DUI, distracted driving, following too closely and other driving behaviors that cause crashes and contribute to more severe crashes,” Secretary Stabler said, adding the expanded traffic enforcement initiative is made possible by grants provided by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT).

“We appreciate ADECA and ALDOT’s ongoing support, but we also need the public’s support,” he added. “All we ask is Alabama citizens and visitors help us make the most of the summer.”

Federal judge sentences Tuscaloosa man to 14 years in prison for receiving and possessing child pornography

Staff — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 13:38:52 +0000

Adam Shane Swindle (Photo courtesy of TCSD)

BIRMINGHAM – A federal judge this week sentenced a Tuscaloosa County man to 14 years in prison for receiving and possessing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, FBI Special Agent in Charge Roger C. Stanton and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Acting Secretary Stan Stabler.
U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced ADAM SHANE SWINDLE, 34, on one count each of receiving and possessing child pornography in 2014.

The defendant used peer-to-peer file-sharing computer software to receive and possess videos depicting children under the age of 12 being raped and sodomized. The simple possession of these images is a crime of violence.

“This defendant is NOT a minimal offender and, therefore, deserves a harsh sentence of imprisonment,” the government said in a court filing.

The FBI and ALEA State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn Hutzell prosecuted.

Staff Reports