Message From The Sheriff
MESSAGE FROM SHERIFF
NICK WELDEN  ( read )
Phone:
EMERGENCY: 911
24 Hours:
256-845-3801
Crime Tip:
256-845-3801
Address:
2801 Jordan Road SW
Fort Payne, AL 35968
Administrative Office:
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:00pm


09/20/2019

DCSO apprehends wanted fugitive

Last night (September 20, 2019) at approximately 2 am, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics and Criminal Interdiction Unit apprehended a fugitive who was wanted in Missouri on several outstanding warrants. The Collinsville Police Department also was on scene to assist with the arrest.

The woman was being pursued by Leland Chapman’s Fugitive Recovery Service.

Chapman is the son of famed bounty hunter, Dog Chapman. Leland Chapman and his team had traced the fugitive to the Northeast Alabama area recently, and bounty hunters as well as investigators had been on the hunt in both Jackson and DeKalb Counties over the last two weeks.

The hunt came to a conclusion last night in Collinsville as agents, deputies, and the Collinsville Police Department took Britnay Kernell (32) into custody at the Traveler’s Inn near I-59.

BritnayKernellSep20RESIZE.png
Britnay Kernell (32)

While apprehending the fugitive, deputies and agents found methamphetamine, earning Kernell new charges in DeKalb County of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Kernell had existing warrants in St. Charles, Missouri of Possession of a Controlled Substance over 35 grams, Possession of a Controlled Substance (2x), and Possession of Synthetic Marijuana (2x).

Kernell also had warrants in Jackson County and with the Fyffe Police Department at the time of her arrest.

Leland Chapman said of the capture: “I’d like to thank all of the people that helped us last night. If it wasn’t for law enforcement we wouldn’t be able to get her in custody. That was the most important thing, is the coordination between all of the law enforcement officials and agencies. She was definitely on a crime spree. This manhunt and her crime spree spanned several states.”

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said: “We’re happy to help bring a wanted fugitive to justice. Especially when this person is busy committing new crimes in our area. DeKalb County is no place to hide for criminals.”

“I’d like to thank our deputies, agents, the Collinsville Police Department, and the Leland Chapman Fugitive Recovery Agency for helping with this apprehension,” he said.

“God Bless!” Concluded Sheriff Welden.