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ADOC Officer killed in traffic accident, driver arrested for DUI

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer
Friday, January 25th, 2013, 5:55pm
ADOC Officer killed in traffic accident, driver arrested for DUI

PRATTVILLE, AL (WSFA) - An Alabama Department of Corrections Officer was killed in a two vehicle head-on collision early this morning in Prattville. Police believe the driver of the car that caused the accident had been drinking.

According to the Prattville Police Department, 22-year-old Autaugaville resident Samuel Robertson was driving his pick-up truck early this morning when he slammed head on into the Hyundai Elantra driven by 25-year-old Corrections Officer Christopher Byrd.

Byrd, an officer at the Draper Correctional Facility, died at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in the accident. Authorities believe Robertson had been drinking just before the accident - he has been charged with DUI and manslaughter.

The accident happened on Old Selma Road, two tenths of a mile from the Autauga Creek Bridge near downtown Prattville. Byrd was just ten miles from home.

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Multiple arrests made in early morning drug and weapons operation

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer
Thursday, January 24th, 2013, 3:25pm
Multiple arrests made in early morning drug and weapons operation

ELMORE COUNTY, AL (WSFA) - In the early hours of Thursday morning, the FBI, Central Alabama Drug Task Force, Elmore County Sheriff's Office, USMS and DEA executed the second phase of a year-old drug operation that ended with the arrest of 9 people.

According to the Elmore County Sheriff's Office, this is the second phase of the operation carried out in May 2012.

A federal grand jury handed down indictments on 14 people for drug and weapons charges back in December. Today's operation focused on capturing the 10 individuals that were not already in police custody.

As of 10 a.m. nine of those 10 people have been captured.

Authorities say the 10th individual, Carlos Harris of Wetumpka, is still on the run.

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Elmore County residents indicted on stolen identity refund fraud conspiracy

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer
Friday, January 18th, 2013, 5:47pm
Elmore County residents indicted on stolen identity refund fraud conspiracy

Montgomery, AL – Mary and Christian Young and Octavious Reeves were indicted by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Alabama on a variety of charges stemming from an identity theft and tax fraud conspiracy, announced George L. Beck, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The alleged conspirators were charged in a 31-count indictment that was returned on December 18, 2012, and unsealed today.

Mary and Christian Young and Octavious Reeves, all of Elmore County, Ala., were charged with conspiring to defraud the United States, along with access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.  Mary Young was also charged with several counts of wire fraud. According to the indictment, the defendants’ conspiracy lasted from January 2012 through June 2012 and involved using stolen identities to file tax returns claiming fraudulent refunds. 

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Man sentenced to life in prison for 'Cajun Lady' murder

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer
Thursday, January 10th, 2013, 3:46pm
Man sentenced to life in prison for 'Cajun Lady' murder

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - The Montgomery man convicted in the murder of the "Cajun Lady" will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Authorities say Navus Jennings has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder and arson connected with the March 28, 2011 death of Deatsville resident Julie Ann Nelson.

Court proceedings proved Jennings killed Nelson at his trailer, then dumped the body next to a trash bin behind his place of employment on Lemon Street.

Authorities say that to cover up the bloody crime scene, Jennings burned the trailer less than 12 hours after the body was discovered.

Nelson was known as the "Cajun Lady" after she moved to Alabama from Louisiana more than 15 years ago to take care of her parents, yet she kept her accent.

Copyright 2013  WSFA 12 News.  All

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Alabama DOC escapee jumps from bridge, fails to elude capture

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Thursday, January 3rd, 2013, 9:51am
Alabama DOC escapee jumps from bridge, fails to elude capture

LEE CO., AL (WSFA) - On January 2nd, Alabama Department of Corrections inmate Robert Seagrest escaped from the Elmore Correctional Facility.

Seagrest was serving time for theft of property out of Chambers and Lee County.  Officials with the Department of Corrections believe that Seagrest stole a pick-up truck after escaping from the facility.

At around 7:30 p.m., Lee County patrol deputies noticed a vehicle being driven recklessly and attempted to make a traffic stop.  After a short chase, the vehicle stopped and Seagrest jumped from the vehicle, then fled along Lee County Road 182.

While being chased by deputies on foot, Seagrest jumped from a bridge and then broke into an unoccupied house on Lee Road 158 where he stole a rifle.

A deputy saw Seagrest leave the house, tackled him and confiscated the gun, which was never fired.  Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones confirms that Seagrest is being treated at EAMC for a possible broken leg.

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Police arrest murder suspect on Christmas Eve

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer
Wednesday, December 26th, 2012, 4:48pm
Police arrest murder suspect on Christmas Eve

PRATTVILLE, AL (WSFA) - The Prattville Police Department has made an arrested in the December 21 murder of a man found dead in his vehicle.

Police responded to a report of gunshots at MLK, Jr. Drive and Wilberforce Avenue on December 21 and found 20-year-old Lamarcus Dejuan Ramsey dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

Police arrested 21-year-old Dre Antwan Deramus for murder on December 24 and placed him in the Autauga Metro Jail where he is being held without bond. 

Authorities say the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Ramsey made news in April 2012 after being jailed by a judge for appearing in court wearing sagging pants.

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AIIS offers tips to keep your home safe from property and identity theft

Submitted by Donna Wallace-King, Community Web Producer
Wednesday, December 26th, 2012, 11:34am
AIIS offers tips to keep your home safe from property and identity theft

As you and your family are out enjoying the festivities of the holiday season, you are at risk of being a victim of theft in two major ways. The holiday season brings a significant increase in property theft crimes and identity theft crimes during this time of year.
 
A large number of home burglaries occur during the winter months when many homeowners are out-of-town for the holidays and the house is full of gifts received and to-be-given. Crooks will steal electronics and jewelry and even the presents under the tree.
 
“Everyone needs to make sure their homes are not an ‘easy mark’ for thieves determined to steal their holiday joy,” said Renee Carter, state director of the Alabama Insurance Information Service. "By taking some simple precautions, homeowners can prevent burglaries at this hectic time of year."
 
But in today’s technology driven society, the presents under the trees are not the only items at risk of being stolen.

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