Crime – Shoals Insider

TUSCUMBIA WOMAN CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN TRAFFIC DEATH

H. Wayne Nix — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 01:17:41 +0000

NEWS ALERT By WB Franks

Staff Writer

TUSCUMBIA – A woman who authorities said had alcohol and drugs in her system at the time of a fatal Colbert County crash pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, according to court records.A Colbert County grand jury recently indicted Emma Claire Snipes, 25, of Tuscumbia, in the death of Jimmie D. Smallwood, 76, of Tuscumbia.On Nov. 23, 2023, the vehicle Snipes was driving collided with the one Smallwood was driving on Alabama Highway 20, south of Muscle Shoals, Alabama troopers said.Smallwood was pronounced dead at the scene by the Colbert County Coroner’s Office. A toxicology report indicated Snipes had alcohol, methamphetamine, and THC in her system, according to the indictment. In addition, troopers she was traveling at a high rate of speed.Snipes was released from the Colbert County Jail on a $50,000 bond. She was arraigned in Colbert County Circuit Court on Tuesday in front of Colbert County Circuit Judge Kyle Brown. Snipes is being represented by Florence Attorney Ralph Holt.

TUSCUMBIA SHEFFIELD MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS

H. Wayne Nix — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 03:44:21 +0000

NEWS ALERT An inmate who was facing trial on a trafficking of methamphetamine charge in Lauderdale County this week has instead pleaded guilty to a lesser offense.Robert William Redding Jr., 38, of Sheffield, will serve 15 years in prison after pleading Thursday to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and first-degree permitting or aiding an escape, according to court records.The sentences will run concurrently with sentences from prior convictions. Redding currently is in the Limestone Correctional Facility, where he has served just over seven years of a 17-year sentence on convictions of first-degree theft of property, two counts of second-degree theft of property and one count each of second-degree possession of a forged instrument and second-degree escape, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.He also has prior convictions on two counts of third-degree burglary, according to corrections records.By WB Franks

TUSCUMBIA MAN CHARGED IN DEATH OF DAUGHTER SEEKS CONTINUANCE

H. Wayne Nix — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:58:19 +0000

NEWS ALERT TUSCUMBIA MAN CHARGED IN DEATH OF DAUGHTER SEEKS CONTINUANCEA man charged in the death of his daughter is asking for a postponement of his trial that is scheduled to begin Monday, according to court records.Christopher Brent Malone, 45, and Amy Malone, 39, who is the child’s mother, both are set for trial Monday on the charge of reckless manslaughter in the death of their disabled 15-year-old daughter, Emma Grace Malone.Christopher Malone’s attorney Johnathon Hugh Smith electronically filed a motion Saturday asking for a continuance in the trial. Amy Malone has not filed a request.In the filing, Smith said the Colbert County District Attorney’s Office is not opposed to the postponement.The couple were arrested and charged with manslaughter in May in the July 19, 2023, death of Emma Grace Malone. They were indicted on reckless manslaughter in August and are out on a $50,000 bond each.The autopsy report on the girl stated the cause of death was arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and bronchopneumonia, with medical neglect listed as a contributory factor. It declared homicide as the manner of death, according to court records.

MAN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING FLORENCE POLICE OFFICER

H. Wayne Nix — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 21:29:35 +0000

NEWS ALERT FLORENCE

A suspect has been arrested and charged with assaulting a Florence police officer after an altercation at a local residence.

FPD released the following statement regarding the incident:

On Monday, October 7, 2024, at around 6 PM, officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of North Franklin Street to assist a homeowner with an unwanted guest. Tyler Reeves was present and refused to leave. Reeves had warrants for his arrest. Officers made contact with Reeves at the front door, and he slammed the door. A short time later, Reeves opened the front door again, and officers attempted to grab him. Reeves slammed the front door. The door struck the officer’s arm, causing the glass to shatter. The officer sustained a deep laceration to his arm. Reeves was taken into custody and charged with Assault of a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest.

The officer was treated and released from the North Alabama Medical Center.

Tyler Reeves, 31, of Florence, is being held at the Lauderdale County Detention Center on a $2800 bond.

SUSPECT LEADS POLICE ON HIGH-SPEED CHASE

H. Wayne Nix — Sat, 06 Jul 2024 03:22:07 +0000

FLORENCE

SUSPECT LEADS POLICE ON HIGH-SPEED CHASE

On Friday, July 5, 2024, at around 1:30 AM, a Florence police officer observed a black Hyundai Sonata make an improper turn on Cloverdale Road. The vehicle accelerated to speeds of over 90 MPH. Officers pursued the vehicle.

The vehicle continued to try to elude officers by making several turns and continuing to drive at high speeds. The driver lost control and struck a light pole around County Road 42 and Chisholm Road.

The vehicle was only occupied by the driver, who was transported to the North Alabama Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The incident is still under investigation.

POLICE ARREST FUGITIVE SUSPECTED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING A CHILD

H. Wayne Nix — Sat, 06 Jul 2024 03:19:20 +0000

SHEFFIELD

On Friday, Detectives with the Sheffield Police Department received information from the Vernal City Police Department in Utah regarding a male identified as Damien Zachary Marshall who held warrants for 2 counts of sodomy on a child as well as a count for sexual abuse of a child.

Upon attaining copies of the warrants for Marshall as well as an address in Sheffield Police/Investigations made contact with Marshall at a residence on the 600 block of Broadway Street.

Marshall was taken into custody and is currently at the Sheffield City jail awaiting extradition to Utah.

POLICE INVESTIGATE MURDER-SUICIDE

H. Wayne Nix — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 00:08:14 +0000

NEWS Alert SHEFFIELD

Authorities have confirmed to Shoals Insider that two men have died as a result of a possible murder-suicide in a Sheffield neighborhood.

On Tuesday, July 2nd, at approximately 10PM, the Sheffield Police Department was dispatched to the 500 block of Wilson Dam Avenue for a possible suicide.

When officers arrived, they found Tommy Ray Burcham 43, of Tuscumbia, lying face down in the grass in an open field across from the residence with two gunshot wounds from a .44 caliber handgun that was found nearby.

During further investigation, officers were notified of another gunshot victim inside the residence. Officers found Raleigh Samuel Lemaster 34, of Sheffield, deceased from a single gunshot wound from an AR rifle that was found under a box fan inside the home.

It was reported that both parties involved were close friends and had gotten into a disagreement, “possibly over a woman,” said Sheffield Police Chief Ricky Terry.

‘The two men had also worked together,’ said Chief Terry.

This is being investigated as a murder-suicide. All information and evidence collected at the scene will be turned over to the Colbert County District Attorney’s Office.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the deceased

WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER POLICE SAY SHE RAMMED HER HUSBAND’S VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES

Staff — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 06:57:19 +0000

MELISSA ALLISON

On Monday, November 28, 2022, at approximately 4:30 PM, officers responded to the area of College Street and Court Street to a call of a vehicle striking another vehicle multiple times.

Officers located a male who stated his wife was ramming his vehicle with hers and she had left on foot. The male had sustained minor injuries. He identified his wife as Melissa Allison.
Melissa Allison, 43, of Florence, was located a few blocks away and arrested and charged with Reckless Endangerment, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Domestic Violence Aggravated Assault.
She’s currently being held at the Lauderdale County Detention Center.

BROTHERS ARGUMENT LEADS TO SHOOTING

Staff — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 06:47:07 +0000

SCENE OF SHOOTING ON PERSHING AVE AND WILSON DAM ROAD

Muscle Shoals police have released some of the details of Monday night’s shooting investigation.
On Monday, November 28, 2022, at approximately 8:30pm, Officers with the Muscle Shoals Police Department responded to a call of “Shots Fired” at a building on the corner of Wilson Dam Rd and Pershing Ave. MSPD Officers, MSFD Firemen and Medical Personnel arrived on scene and immediately began attending to two adult males. One male had sustained what appeared to a be a gunshot wound, while the other appeared to have received blunt force trauma to the head. MSPD Detectives then arrived on scene.

Once Detectives arrived on scene, information was gathered from witnesses and MSPD Officers of the two men being brothers. At some point, the two brothers began a verbal argument that led to a physical altercation where one brother was shot with a handgun and the other sustained blunt force trauma to the head. Detectives spent the late hours of the night collecting evidence and processing the scene. The incident was contained to this scene and at no point do Detectives believe any surrounding homes in the area were at risk.
Names of those involved, as well as the charges those parties could face, will be provided at a later date due to both brothers being transported to Huntsville Hospital where they are both expected to make a full recovery at the time of this release. This is considered an ongoing investigation and will be updated as more information becomes available.

SEX OFFENDER ARRESTED MONTH AFTER RELEASE FROM FLORIDA PRISON

Staff — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 00:51:00 +0000

MONTANYE

RUSSELLVILLE–Authorities tell Shoals Insider that a sex offender fresh out of prison a month ago has now been arrested on new child sex abuse charges in Franklin County.
According to the FCSD, Frederick Montanye, 53, of Russellville, was arrested on Sunday after he was confronted by relatives of the victim. He reportedly apologized and admitted abusing the toddler. The toddler was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Montanye was released from a prison in Florida in August. He was convicted of several class A felonies like kidnapping, sexual battery, and sexual battery involving a child under 12.
Franklin deputies located Montanye in Russellville. He was reportedly living in a makeshift tent near the highway.
Montanye is currently charged with sexual abuse of a child under 12 years of age. He’s being held in the Franklin County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond.