crime

In October 2024, multiple church burglaries were reported to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation initially led to the arrest of Jeanee Kay Vick, 50, who was charged with multiple counts of third-degree burglary, fourth-degree theft of property, third-degree forgery and criminal mischief on Nov. 7, 2024.

According to FCSO Investigator Branndon Collins, a second suspect, Zachary Seth Grace, 30, was identified as a participant in the burglaries.

On Wednesday, Oct. 29, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force agents assisted Alabama Probation and Parole during a home visit in the 23000 block of Hwy. 18 E. in Berry involving probationer Grady Pendley. 

According to Sheriff Byron Yerby and Investigator Branndon Collins, officers discovered multiple narcotics and drug paraphernalia items. Substances found included fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana and Xanax.

The plea hearing for Wendy Pamela Jean Bailey, the defendant in a high-profile child abuse case, has been postponed until April 13, 2026.

A preliminary hearing for Timothy Vess Benton has been scheduled for Oct. 16 at 2 p.m., according to recent court filings. Records show that the hearing will be held in District Judge James E. Gentry’s courtroom (courtroom No. 2) on the sixth floor of the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse. The order was submitted by Gentry and electronically filed on Friday, Sept. 19.

Pictured above are the firearms and a portion of the marijuana plants that were seized during the operation. | Photo courtesy of the Fayette County Sheriff's Office

On Tuesday, Sept. 9, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, with the support from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Aviation Unit and the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force, conducted a marijuana eradication detail.

Fayette Police are continuing to investigate a break in at Andrew Bynum GMC that occurred Tuesday, July 29, between 9 - 9:30 p.m. at the dealership located at 2535 Temple Ave.  Jenkins confirmed that another stolen vehicle, the 2500 GMC Sierra, was recently located in Laurel, Miss.

A Fayette County man has been arrested following a drug investigation that led to the seizure of 73 grams methamphetamine.

Pictured above is the components of the illegal whiskey still confiscated by the sheriff’s office. | Photos courtesy of the Fayette County Sheriff's Office

On Tuesday, Sept. 9, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received a tip regarding an illegal whiskey still operation.

Judge Sam Junkin has issued an order recusing himself from the case against Timothy Vess Benton.