A grand jury in Alabama is recommending the dismantling of the Hanceville Police Department following the indictment of its chief, Jason Marlin, and four officers for corruption. The indictment stems from an investigation revealing that the department acted “as more of a criminal enterprise than a law enforcement agency.” Charges include evidence tampering, misuse of office, and drug offenses. The district attorney cited a severe compromise of evidence and unsafe conditions in the jail, linking the department to the overdose death of a 911 dispatcher. The Hanceville mayor vowed cooperation with the investigation but did not confirm plans to disband the department.
An Alabama grand jury has recommended the dissolution of a small police department following the indictment of its chief and four other officers as part of a comprehensive corruption probe, characterizing the department as functioning “more like a criminal enterprise than a law enforcement agency.”
The Hanceville Police Department, serving a community of about 3,000 residents located approximately 45 miles north of Birmingham, had only eight officers as of last August, when Chief Jason Marlin was appointed.
At a news conference on Wednesday, the chief’s mug shot was displayed as officials announced the arrests of the chief along with four officers on various felony and misdemeanor charges. One officer’s wife was also indicted.
Champ Crocker, the district attorney for Cullman County, stated that the corruption within the department had become so extensive that it undermined evidence in numerous cases and created hazardous conditions at the local jail — it was even linked to the overdose of a 911 dispatcher from the department last year.
“With these indictments, these officers now find themselves on the opposing side of the laws they were meant to enforce,” Mr. Crocker remarked. “Wearing a badge is a privilege and an honor that most law enforcement officers take seriously. It is not a license to corrupt the justice system.”
During the thirty-minute press briefing, the district attorney spoke broadly about the misconduct allegations against the chief and other officers. Court documents provided further insight into the accusations, including mishandling evidence, using performance-enhancing drugs, and unauthorized access to an employment database.
The specific charges filed in Cullman County Circuit Court on Friday included computer tampering, misuse of office for personal benefit, unlawful distribution of controlled substances, evidence tampering, and failing to report ethics violations to the state.
While the grand jury did not charge the officers with any crimes related to the death of Christopher Michael Willingham, 49, a 911 dispatcher found dead in his office last August, it did hold the Police Department responsible for the situation.
Mr. Crocker noted that the 18 jurors concluded that Mr. Willingham’s death, classified by state pathologists as an accidental overdose from fentanyl and other drugs, was the “direct result” of the department’s “negligence, lack of procedure, general incompetence, and disregard for human life.”
The district attorney criticized the Police Department for the inadequate security of its evidence room, stating that the officers had unregulated access through a hole in the wall and used a broomstick to force open a door. After the grand jury’s visit to the Hanceville jail on February 12, he indicated that they had “zero confidence” in the department’s capacity to manage the facility or fulfill basic health and safety requirements.
In a statement released on social media on Wednesday, Hanceville Mayor Jim Sawyer assured that the city would fully cooperate with authorities during the investigation of the Police Department. However, he did not confirm whether the city would act on the grand jury’s suggestion to disband the department.
“Those entrusted with protecting our community must be individuals of integrity and honor,” Mr. Sawyer stated. “While most police officers and deputies are dedicated public servants, the misconduct of a few puts a shadow over the profession.”
Mr. Sawyer mentioned having discussed the situation with Mr. Crocker and agreed on the necessity for an audit of the evidence room. It has been just over a year since Mr. Sawyer took office as mayor. The previous mayor resigned in December 2023 after pleading guilty to 15 misdemeanor charges related to the misuse of his office for personal benefit, as reported by The Cullman Tribune.
On Friday, Chief Marlin, 51, was charged with two counts of failure to report an ethics offense, classified as a felony, along with a misdemeanor charge of evidence tampering. A woman answering the phone at the Police Department on Wednesday stated that the chief would not provide comments.
The other officers indicted by the grand jury include Jason Scott Wilbanks, 37; Cody Alan Kelso, 33; William Andrew Shelnutt, 39; Eric Michael Kelso, 44; along with his wife, Donna Reid Kelso, 63.
Cody Alan Kelso directed inquiries to his attorney, John C. Robbins, who mentioned that the evidence supporting the case against his client appeared to be minimal.
“I have not reviewed any evidence that supports these charges,” Mr. Robbins stated.
Mr. Shelnutt ended the call when approached for comments on Wednesday, as did Ms. Kelso when asked about their legal representation. It remains unclear if the couple is related to Cody Alan Kelso.
Prosecutors accused Ms. Kelso of supplying anabolic steroids to several of the indicted officers. Her husband faced similar drug-related charges.
Efforts to contact Mr. Wilbanks on Wednesday were unsuccessful, and it was unclear if he had legal representation.
Mr. Crocker, the district attorney, confirmed that all five officers had been released on bond. The city did not disclose the current status of the officers.
Alain Delaquérière contributed research.