Cullman County District Attorney calls for abolition of Hanceville Police Department

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During a joint press conference between the Cullman County District Attorney and Sheriff's Offices, DA Champ Crocker revealed that a recent investigation from the State Bureau of Investigation found that the Hanceville Police Department is a "particular and ongoing threat to public safety."

"There is a rampant culture of corruption in the Hanceville Police Department, which has recently operated as more of a criminal enterprise than a law enforcement agency," read court documents obtained by WVTM 13 at the press conference.

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The negligence of the Hanceville Police Department directly resulted in the recent death of local dispatcher Chris Willingham

It was determined that Mr. Willingham died from “Combined toxic effects of fentanyl, gabapentin, diazepam, amphetamine, carisoprodol, and methocarbamol”
"Unfettered" access to the HPD evidence room played a role in Willingham's death

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The evidence room at the Hanceville Police Department was not secure and was routinely accessed by individuals who were not authorized to do so.
Perpetrators routinely used a broomstick to jimmy open the door by pushing it through a hole in the evidence room's exterior wall
Security footage captured repeatedly captured these events
Hanceville police have failed to maintain the Hanceville Jail and meet the basic health and safety concerns of both inmates and staff

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All of the following charges are felonies with the exception of tampering with physical evidence:

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Those arrested include: Chief Jason Marlin – Two counts of ethics violations (failure to file or cooperate) and tampering with physical evidence. Jason Scott Wilbanks – Two counts of computer tampering, tampering with physical evidence, conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime and use of official office for personal gain. William Andrew Shelnutt: Tampering with physical evidence. Cody Allen Kelso – Two counts of computer tampering, tampering with physical evidence, conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime and use of official office for personal gain. Eric Michael Kelso – Four counts of the sale/distribution of dangerous drugs, two counts of conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime. Eric Michael Kelso’s spouse, Donna Reed Kelso is also facing charges for the sale/distribution of dangerous drugs and two counts of conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime.

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