10-03-2025
Preliminary results of Hanceville PD audit shows missing drugs, undocumented guns
HANCEVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The preliminary results of an audit of the Hanceville Police Department's evidence room have been released, according to the district attorney's office.
A release sent on Monday states that an agent with the State Bureau of Investigation completed the audit. Below, you can find a table with the approximate weight or count of each substance missing from the evidence room:
Methamphetamines/amphetamines: 216 grams
Cocaine 1.5 grams
Oxycodone pills: 67
Adderall pills: 4
Heroin: .5 grams
Clonazepam pill: 4
Gabepentin pills: 39
Tizandine (muscle relaxer): 5
Methocarbamol (muscle relaxer): 5
Suboxone strip: 1
Firearms: one .25 caliber handgun
According to the agent, the approximation is based on the item description that is detailed on each evidence folder.
'Please note that not all item descriptions listed a weight for the substance that was inside. There are additional items missing, but the weight is unknown based on the information available,' the release read.
Data from the APDH shows that Hanceville has the most 'drug overdose EMS calls per capita' in the state at 7.65 per 10,000. That is compared to the next highest: Warrior (5.32), Adamsville (4.73), Anniston (3.64) and Bessemer (3.05).
The audit also showed that there were about 30 undocumented firearms discovered in the evidence room.
District Attorney Champ Crocker stated in the preliminary report that, following the immediate aftermath of Chris Willingham's death, he recommended Chief Jason Marlin call SBI, however, Marlin declined.
Crocker called SBI on August 30, and the case was assigned to an agent.
On September 20, the district attorney said Hanceville Mayor Jimmy Sawyer and Councilman Kenneth Cornelius delivered security footage to the Cullman County Sheriff's Office for safekeeping. Crocker said he finds the results of this audit 'shocking but not surprising,' as the security footage shows how unsecure the evidence room was with individuals going in and out, using a broomstick through a hole in the wall to gain access.
'I am satisfied with what the Cullman County Sheriff's Office has done to protect the citizens of Hanceville in recent weeks. If you and the council reinstate the Hanceville Police Department, I suggest that all felony matters be handled by the Cullman County Sheriff's Office and/or the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA),' the DA said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
