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LATEST HEADLINES
Media Update: Body of Missing Fisherman has been Found
July 3, 2019 3:30pm We have been notified that rescue divers have located the body of what is presumed to be the fisherman reported missing on July 2, 2019. The Sheriff's Office will continue the investigation.
Sheriff’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team, SNET, puts a dent in major crimes in Jefferson County
Birmingham, Alabama (July 3, 2019) — When Sheriff Mark Pettway took office in January, one of his first items of business was to establish the Sheriff’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team (SNET) to travel county-wide to fight crime on the streets. SNET has been working for the past two months and has had an overwhelming success in making Jefferson County neighborhoods safer. The main purpose of SNET is to address the high crime areas wherever they may be in Jefferson County.
In May alone, SNET made 69 felony arrests in Jefferson County which resulted in the recovery of more than $61,000 in stolen property and over $16,000 in the seizure of drug money. In June, there were 61 felony arrests.
Many of these arrests were the result of citizen tips. Most of these tips came from within Jefferson County with some coming from surrounding counties. When citizens call in with tips, the Sheriff’s office follows up on them and acts on them if the information is credible.
“I hear from people all of the time about how grateful they are that our Mobile Unit is out on the streets protecting our neighborhoods,” said Sheriff Mark Pettway. “Our citizen tips have made it possible for us to be successful in fighting crime over the past three months.”
In addition and in May, the Sheriff’s Vice and Narcotic unit shut down more than 15 drug houses in western Jefferson County. This unit’s work along with SNET has made a major impact on stopping crime in these areas. “Drug dealers may set up shop on the western side of town but their customers come from all over the county. That’s why it’s imperative that we shut these drug dealers down. When the two units work in tandem the streets become safer, which is a major strategic initiative this office has put into place,” added Sheriff Pettway.
SNET is ridding the streets of felonies such as theft of property, unlawful possession and distribution of drugs, assaults and injuries with weapons.
SNET is just one of the many initiatives and directives the Sheriff’s office is spearheading to make the citizens of Jefferson County feel safer and more secure. For more information about SNET contact Captain David Agee at ageed@jccal.org
Missing Persons Alert
On Tuesday July 2, 2019 at 9:53pm the Sheriff’s Office received a call for assistance in locating a missing fisherman at Cosby Lake in the Clay community. We are looking for a 36 year old white male who is 5-11 and 160 pounds. Family members became concerned when they tried to contact him and he did not respond. Family members came to the lake and found his truck and overturned kayak but they were unable to locate him. Deputies and Emergency Personnel from Center Point Fire responded to search for the missing man. First responders searched the lake by boat, checked the banks of the lake, checked the surrounding area with a K9 team and had an over head search by our Star 1 helicopter. First responders recovered shoes and other items belonging to the fisherman. At 12:30am rescuers are still searching. We will update as additional information becomes available.
Media Update: Inmate Death Investigation
Media Update: Inmate Death Investigation
On Friday June 28, 2019 at approximately 8:10pm 36 year old Earnest True Smith appeared to have suffered a seizure while he was in the cell block day space. Smith later died at a local hospital. Smith was in jail for Failure to Appear for Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance. As a part of the death investigation an autopsy was done on Smith’s body. The preliminary autopsy report shows no signs of foul play in Smith’s death. A ruptured plastic bag containing an unknown substance (believed to be illicit drugs) was found in Smith’s stomach during the examination. There is a high probability that the contents of the bag were absorbed into Smith’s system. The other preliminary findings were consistent with seizure deaths and drug toxicity.
View on Sheriff’s Page to see photo.
Inmate Death Investigation
Inmate Death Investigation. An inmate in the Jefferson County jail has died after suffering a medical incident while in a cell block. On Friday June 28, 2019 at approximately 8:10pm, a 36 year old black male inmate appeared to have suffered a seizure while he was in the cell block day space. The inmate was attended to by the medical staff and transported to the hospital for treatment. Medical efforts to revive the man were not successful. This death is under investigation. The name of the man will not be released until his family has been notified.
Missing Person Alert
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in locating 20-year-old Marka “Willoe” Watkins. Friends and family members call her Willoe. Willoe is 5ft 1 and weighs approximately 115 pounds. Willoe has not been seen or heard from since Monday June 17, 2019. Willoe was last seen in the Bessemer/McCalla area. We have serious concerns for her safety. If anyone has information about the whereabouts of Willoe they are asked to call 205-325-1450.