The Hanceville Police Department in Alabama faces dissolution after a scathing grand jury report revealed systemic corruption and negligence. Five officers—including Police Chief Jason Shane Marlin—were indicted on charges ranging from evidence tampering to drug distribution, marking one of the state’s most severe law enforcement scandals.
'This is a sad day for law enforcement, but a good day for the rule of law,' Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker declared during a Wednesday press briefing. Investigators discovered the department’s evidence room was left unsecured, allowing unauthorized access that directly contributed to the 2024 death of dispatcher Christopher Willingham. An autopsy found he died from a toxic combination of fentanyl, gabapentin, and other drugs stored irresponsibly at his workplace.
'The Hanceville Police Department operated more like a criminal enterprise than a law enforcement agency,'
Crocker stated, summarizing the grand jury’s findings. The report outlined 11 critical failures, including:
- Evidence room mismanagement rendering stored items 'unusable' for prosecutions
- No protocols to secure controlled substances or protect staff
- Multiple officers exploiting their positions for personal gain
Jason Shane Marlin faces charges of evidence tampering and ethics violations, while Officers Cody Kelso and Jason Wilbanks are accused of computer tampering and conspiring to distribute drugs. Reserve officer Eric Kelso and his spouse Donna face felony distribution charges unrelated to the evidence room.
Hanceville Mayor Jim Sawyer pledged aggressive reforms, stating: 'We will pursue corrective actions openly—our citizens deserve resolution.' The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office has not yet formally assumed jurisdiction but confirmed preparations are underway to ensure public safety. With Hanceville’s 3,000 residents now questioning their trust in local authorities, this case underscores nationwide concerns about police accountability and evidence storage protocols.