A former Sheffield resident pleaded guilty Thursday in Colbert County Circuit Court to two sexual abuse charges in exchange for a 24-month prison sentence.

According to court records, John Thomas Sledge, 70, of 385 Jones Road in Russellville, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse in the first and second degrees with the sentence to [...]]]>

A former Sheffield resident pleaded guilty Thursday in Colbert County Circuit Court to two sexual abuse charges in exchange for a 24-month prison sentence.

According to court records, John Thomas Sledge, 70, of 385 Jones Road in Russellville, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse in the first and second degrees with the sentence to run concurrently.

The indictment stated Sledge did subject someone less than 12 years of age to sexual contact and the second indictment stated Sledge subjected someone older than 12 years of age to sexual contact.

As part of the plea agreement, the court will recommend to the Alabama Department of Corrections that Sledge be evaluated for the Aged and Infirmed prison in Hamilton, Alabama. Sledge will have a three year suspended sentence upon release from the penitentiary. He began his prison sentence on Thursday.

According to courthouse records, one incident occurred on July 7th of 2022 and the second indictment stated the incident occurred on August 8th of 2016.

Sledge is being held in the Colbert County Jail awaiting transfer to Kilby Correctional Facility for processing.

According to authorities, John Thomas Martin, Senior Pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church on Sweetwater for the past nine years, is charged with four counts of first-degree [...]]]>

FLORENCE– Police tell ShoalsInsider.com that a local pastor who confessed from the pulpit of the church has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor.

According to authorities, John Thomas Martin, Senior Pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church on Sweetwater for the past nine years, is charged with four counts of first-degree sexual abuse.

The charges stem from Martin allegedly having sexual relations with young boys.

The investigation is ongoing. If you or anyone you know was abused by this man, you’re encouraged to call the Lauderdale County District Attorney’s office at 256-764-6351.

By Jeff Roland – Editor-In-Chief

ShoalsInsider.com – Keeping You Informed

Daniel and Jenice Spurgeon

FLORENCE–A Florida couple have been arrested in an extensive child sexual abuse investigation.

Earlier today the Florence Police Department was notified that authorities in Cape Coral, Florida, had arrested Jenise Spurgeon, 52, on outstanding felony warrants with the Florence Police Department. The warrants stem [...]]]>

Daniel and Jenice Spurgeon

FLORENCE–A Florida couple have been arrested in an extensive child sexual abuse investigation.

Earlier today the Florence Police Department was notified that authorities in Cape Coral, Florida, had arrested Jenise Spurgeon, 52, on outstanding felony warrants with the Florence Police Department. The warrants stem from an ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving Jenise Spurgeon and her husband, Daniel Spurgeon, 47. In July of 2016, Detectives with the Florence Police Department were contacted by Detectives with the Cape Coral Police Department following an incident that had occurred in their jurisdiction. Their investigation led detectives to believe that abuse had occurred in Alabama while the couple lived in the Florence area.

Since that time Detectives with the Florence Police Department, along with officials from the Alabama Department of Human Resources, have been diligently investigating the allegations. Multiple interviews have been conducted and evidence gathered in this case led to the issuance of warrants against both Daniel Spurgeon and Jenise Spurgeon.

Daniel Spurgeon remains in the Lee County, Florida, jail with holds placed on him for the warrants in Alabama.

Jenise Spurgeon was arrested today at a court hearing on related charges in Florida and remains in the Lee County jail while awaiting extradition to Lauderdale County.

The warrants issued in this case are as follows:

Daniel W. Spurgeon:
2 Counts- Sexual Abuse of a Child Under 12
115 Counts- Sexual Abuse 1st
122 Counts- Child Abuse
4 Counts- Sodomy 1st
4 Counts- Sexual Torture
3 Counts- Domestic Violence by Strangulation and/or Suffocation
6 Counts- Rape 1st
115 Counts- Enticing a Child for Immoral Purposes
6 Counts- Incest
11 Counts- Human Trafficking 1st

Jenise R. Spurgeon:

100 Counts- Child Abuse
1 Count- Domestic Violence by Strangulation and/or Suffocation
11 Counts- Human Trafficking 1st
100 Counts- Endangering the Welfare of a Child
100 Counts- Enticing a Child for Immoral Purposes

As noted in the charges, this case involves a total of 11 victims who were either in the care of or the adoptive children of the Spurgeon’s at the time the abuse occurred.

April Johnson

On Sunday, July 17, 2016, Florence Police Officers responded to a reported sexual assault that was alleged to have occurred in the 2900 block of Woodard Ave.

Officers arrived and found a female victim who reported that she had been beaten and sexually assaulted while being threatened with [...]]]>

                                     April Johnson

On Sunday, July 17, 2016, Florence Police Officers responded to a reported sexual assault that was alleged to have occurred in the 2900 block of Woodard Ave.

Officers arrived and found a female victim who reported that she had been beaten and sexually assaulted while being threatened with a firearm. The female sought medical treatment for her injuries and was able to provide information to police investigators. On Monday, July 18, 2016, detectives with the police department executed search warrants at the home of April Lynn Johnson, 30, who resides at 2931 Woodard Ave, Florence. Evidence was collected and following interviews with the victim and suspect, Ms. Johnson was arrested and charged with Sexual Torture and Sexual Abuse 1^st. She is currently being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center on bond totaling $26,000.00