baldwincountydistrictattorney

Gulf Shores Evidence Room Investigation

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:24:27 +0000

GULF SHORES, Alabama –
A veteran and trusted employee of the Gulf Shores police department, Barry Martin was arrested in January on theft and drug charges after guns and drugs missing from the departments evidence room were found in his home.

“Barry Martin is not an evil person but drugs make people do bad things,” says District Attorney Hallie Dixon.

With the arrest, hundreds of criminal cases were in jeopardy, “because we have to answer questions about it.”

Dixon says those questions have been answered and the results, about 10 cases affected by the Martin arrest. “There were about four cases that were already pending that weren’t prohibited, we were able to prosecute. We were able to get a plea but we had to plea them down or plea to one charge and not the other. Then there were approximately four that we had to ‘no bill’ because you could not prosecute and then there are still a few more out there that we are going to have to ‘no bill’ them.”

The Martin case has had a ripple affect among police departments, including how and who handles evidence. But the biggest impact remains in Gulf Shores. “What drugs can do to somebody’s life, good people and it can destroy lives. It can take a person who everybody loves and respected and make them into somebody that has become a pariahs and put the entire departments integrity in question.”

Gulf Shores police says since Martin’s arrest they have completed an inventory of the property/evidence room and discovered more items missing connected to Martin. They say they have already made changes since Martin’s arrest and more changes are on the way.

District Attorney Hallie Dixon successfully fights parole of Mobile man who shot Gulf Shores police officer

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:00:36 +0000

BAY MINETTE – Baldwin County District Attorney Hallie Dixon appeared before the state Board of Pardons and Paroles to successfully fight the early release of Bradley Harrison Trawick, who was convicted of shooting a Gulf Shores police officer in 2000. Trawick, 30, will not be eligible for another parole hearing for at least five more years.
Trawick, then age 18, of Mobile, shot Corp. Justin Clopton one evening in Gulf Shores shortly after Clopton stopped Trawick to question him about a burglary. Trawick ran, then turned and fired a shot, striking Clopton in the torso. The bullet hit Clopton’s bulletproof vest and was stopped, sparing the officer’s life. Trawick was charged with attempted murder and burglary of a local seafood business.
“May is the month that we honor fallen law enforcement officers who have given their lives answering the call of duty, so it’s especially poignant that we were able to keep Trawick in prison for shooting a police officer,” Dixon said. “But for a bulletproof vest, this officer would likely have died,” Dixon said, “and Trawick would have been convicted of capital murder. We think Trawick should serve every bit of his 28-year sentence, and will do our best to make sure he does.”

In another successful parole protest, Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rushing Payne argued against the release of Craig Cornell White, who was sentenced in 1991 to life in prison for the 1988 robbery, stabbing and beating of E. J. Ryals. White, now 56, has served 21 years thus far.
“White was 33 years old when he went into the victim’s Loxley home under the pretense of paying rent,” Payne said. “Instead, he hit the victim in the face multiple times, stabbed him in the chest with a butcher knife, and took his wallet and $200 in cash. Mr. Ryals was 71 years old.” Ryals is now deceased, Payne said. “A life sentence was appropriate punishment for this crime, and we are pleased that the Parole Board agreed to keep this violent criminal in prison.”

Fairhope man convicted of 2010 murder of Frisco City man

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:23:45 +0000

BAY MINETTE – Benjamin Kirby Blackman, 27, of Fairhope, was convicted Thursday of murder in the 2010 shooting death of Frisco City resident Thomas “T.J.” Perkins.
The shooting occurred during a street fight that erupted on Young Street in Fairhope after midnight following a Fourth of July celebration. Assistant District Attorney Michaelyn Gober, who prosecuted the case along with ADA Patrick Prendergast, reminded jurors in closing arguments Thursday that eye-witnesses saw Blackman calmly walk through the melee, raise a semi-automatic handgun, and shoot Perkins in the back of the head. The jury deliberated about three and a half hours before delivering the guilty verdict.
“We are very pleased to be able to bring justice to the family of T.J. Perkins. I am very proud of our ADAs,” District Attorney Hallie Dixon said, “and I congratulate the three eyewitnesses who testified against Mr. Blackman, even when many others who were there that night turned a blind eye. It took courage to stand up and speak out.”
Gober praised the intensive investigation mounted by Fairhope Police and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department for their help in bringing the case to a successful conclusion. “I am grateful to the hard work of law enforcement that brought closure to the family of T.J. Perkins,” she said.
This guilty verdict marks the fourth successful prosecution of homicide cases that were pending on Judge Lang Floyd’s docket prior to 2011. As of today, the District Attorney’s Office has only one remaining active homicide case on any docket that was pending prior to 2011.
Following the verdict, Circuit Judge Floyd set a June sentencing date for Perkins, who faces a potential sentence of 20 years to life in prison without parole.

Bay Minette man sentenced to life and 40 years for trafficking and distribution of “extraordinary amount” of cocaine

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:42:22 +0000

BAY MINETTE – Alimireo English has been sentenced to concurrent sentences of life and 40 years in prison for trafficking, a Class A felony, and distribution of cocaine, a Class B felony.
“Drugs – particularly cocaine – contribute to the vast majority of Baldwin County crime,” BaldwIn County District Attorney Hallie Dixon said in asking for the maximum sentence possible for English. “Dealers such as Mr. English contribute exponentially to the problem.”
In March, On Wednesday, following a three-day trial and minutes before Dixon was to deliver her closing argument, English, 36, entered a guilty plea to one count each of trafficking and distribution. Baldwin County Drug Task Force members had found “an extraordinary amount” of cocaine, other drugs, and equipment to support a major drug dealing operation in English’s Bay Minette home. English was employed at a local auto dealership.
“English’s prior offenses make him a habitual offender,” Dixon said after court was adjourned. “Drug Task Force investigators obtained evidence of him selling cocaine on at least two occasions, and found more than twice the amount of cocaine in his home than is needed for a trafficking charge. In his home, which was close to schools and a housing project, he had all the equipment that drug dealers need to peddle their trash.”
Dixon added, “I am so appreciative of the all the work done on this case by the Baldwin County Drug Task Force, especially Investigator Jonathan Hall.” She also thanked Assistant District Attorney Brett Anderson, who served as co-counsel, for helping to bring the two-year-old case to a close.

Foley man guilty of two counts sex abuse with a minor

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:55:23 +0000

James Angus Harris Jr., 42, Foley, pleaded guilty to first- and second-degree sex abuse of a girl between the ages of 12 and 16. He was sentenced March 8 to 10 years, split to serve nine months. He must register as a sex offender and have no contact with the victim, family or children under age 18. Megan Doggett prosecuted.

Bay Minette man sentenced for sex abuse of child under age 12

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:54:27 +0000

John F. Wirkner, 66, Bay Minette, pleaded guilty to first-degree sex abuse of a child under age 12 and was sentenced on March 8 to 10 years, split to serve six months, and three years of supervised probation, suspended. He is to register as a sex offender and have no contact with the victim or anyone under age 18. Megan Doggett prosecuted.

Mississippi woman sentenced for ID theft in car purchase

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:53:51 +0000

Ann-Michelle Lantron, 46, of Gulfport, Mississippi, pleaded guilty to identity theft for using her grandmother’s name and information – without her permission – to co-sign for the purchase of a vehicle at Tameron Honda in Daphne. On March 1, she received a sentence of 10 years, split to time served, with the balance suspended for four years of supervised probation. Megan Doggett prosecuted.

Man sentenced to serve 20 years in prison for sex abuse of child under 12

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:53:19 +0000

Glen Ward Sasser, 57, entered a blind plea of guilty to sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old. Sasser, who had a prior felony record, was sentenced March 1 to serve 20 years in prison. Megan Doggett prosecuted.

Foley woman pleads guilty to forging father’s check

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:52:51 +0000

Jennifer Kay Donahue, 25, Foley, pleaded guilty to second-degree possession of a forged instrument after forging and cashing a check belonging to her father. She was sentenced Feb. 17 to seven years, split to serve 60 days, and three years of supervised probation. Chandra Paul prosecuted.

Robertsdale man guilty of stealing from vacant homes

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:52:08 +0000

Brandon Aldridge, 31, Robertsdale, pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary and first-degree theft of property for breaking into two vacant homes and stealing items such as a dishwasher, trim, and a granite countertop. He was sentenced Feb. 17 to eight years split to serve 90 days, three years of supervised probation, and random drug-screening. Chandra Paul prosecuted.