FBI Seeks Public’s Assistance in Solving North Alabama Bank Robberies

BIRMINGHAM—FBI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Patrick J. Maley, Chief Jim Peterson of the Guntersville Police Department, and Chief Billy Peebles of the Priceville Police Department are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a bank robbery suspect. The individual is suspected of robbing two banks in North Alabama within the past two weeks.

On August 2, 2012, just before 3:00 p.m. (CST), a black male entered the Peoples Bank on Highway 431 in Guntersville, Alabama, presented a note to a teller that demanded money, and advised that he had a weapon. The suspect is described as a black male, wearing glasses, a bandaid across his nose, in his mid to late 20s, approximately 5’10” to 6’0” tall, and weighing approximately 140 to 150 pounds. The suspect was described as wearing dark pants and a white T-shirt with a blue ball cap, possibly with the Texas Rangers baseball logo. The suspect left the bank on foot.

On August 8, 2012, at approximately 3:15 p.m. (CST), a black male, same physical description as above, with a short beard (or what appeared to be a few days beard growth), glasses, a New York Yankees baseball hat, a white T-shirt with a black T-shirt under it, and black work pants (sometimes referred to as “Dickies” style), entered Traditions Bank branch located at 380 Highway 67 South in Decatur, Alabama, presented a note to a teller that demanded money, and advised that he had a weapon. The suspect left the bank on foot. Photos below are from the Traditions Bank robbery.

A reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of this individual. Anyone with information is asked to contact local law enforcement or the FBI’s Birmingham Field Office at (205) 326-6166.

The FBI has arranged through its joint partnership with Lamar Outdoor Advertising to have digital billboards go up in both Alabama and Tennessee within the next 24 hours in an effort to identify this suspect.

This matter is being investigated jointly by the FBI, the Guntersville Police Department, and the Priceville Police Department.

Eight People Indicted and Arrested in Marshall County Meth Conspiracy

BIRMINGHAM—Eight people have been arrested in Marshall County on illegal methamphetamine distribution charges resulting from a federal indictment returned in December, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Maley.

The indictment, unsealed following the arrests of several defendants last week, charges DON MITCHELL WILBORN, JOHN CALTON ELLER, CHRISTOPHER DAVID ALLEN, KRISTIE GRETCHEN GAUNTT, ANGELA NICOLE OTINGER, JEFFREY WAYNE BAUGH, EFREN RAMIREZ CALDERON, and CARLOS TABERA GONZALEZ with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; distribution and possession of methamphetamine; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

WILBORN, 38, ALLEN, 38, OTINGER, 41, BAUGH, 42, and GONZALEZ, 37, all of Albertville; ELLER, 42, and CALDERON, 34, both of Boaz; and GAUNTT, 36, of Guntersville, face 11 counts in the indictment.

Count one charges that Wilborn, Eller, Allen Gauntt, Otinger, Baugh, Calderon, and Gonzalez conspired together to distribute methamphetamine. Counts two, four through seven, and nine charge the following individuals with distribution of methamphetamine: Eller, Allen and Calderon (count two); Wilborn (counts four, five, and eight); Wilborn and Gauntt (counts six and seven). Charges for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine are pending against: Baugh (count three); Gonzalez (count nine); Gonzalez and Calderon (count 10). Gonzalez and Calderon are also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (count 11). Calderon and Gonzalez are separately charged with being illegal aliens in possession of a firearm (counts 12 and 13).

These charges carry a range of prison time up to life and a $10 million fine. Some of the charges also carry mandatory minimum sentences of five and 10 years.

“Methamphetamine is a plague on the Northern District of Alabama. The detrimental effects of this drug are far reaching, even beyond those who use it and sell it. It affects their families and the community at large. The United States will work diligently to prosecute those who engage in this illegal narcotics business,” Vance said.

Special agents of the FBI, Albertville Police Department, and FBI North Alabama Safe Streets Task Force, including Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and Drug Enforcement Unit, and the Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit investigated this case. Guntersville Police Department assisted in making arrests in the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura D. Hodge is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.