Members of the Hanceville Police Department are facing a multitude of charges after a grand jury returned indictments that include tampering with physical evidence and conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime.

Among the grand jury’s report was a recommendation that the department be “immediately abolished.”

“Based upon the investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation, we find that the Hanceville Police Department is a particular and ongoing threat to public safety,” according to the report.

Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker made the announcement during a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 19.

“This is a sad day for law enforcement but a good day for the rule of law,” Crocker said.

Those arrested include:

Chief Jason Marlin – Two counts of ethics violations (failure to file or cooperate) and tampering with physical evidence.

Jason Scott Wilbanks – Two counts of computer tampering, tampering with physical evidence, conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime and use of official office for personal gain.

William Andrew Shelnutt: Tampering with physical evidence.

Cody Allen Kelso – Two counts of computer tampering, tampering with physical evidence, conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime and use of official office for personal gain.

Eric Michael Kelso – Four counts of the sale/distribution of dangerous drugs, two counts of conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime.

Eric Michael Kelso’s spouse, Donna Reed Kelso is also facing charges for the sale/distribution of dangerous drugs and two counts of conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime.

Other findings and recommendations by the grand jury include:

— Officers indicted should be suspended from law enforcement by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission.

— Another law enforcement agency (local or state) be tasked with protecting the citizens of Hanceville.

— There is a rampant culture of corruption in the Hanceville Police Department, which has recently operated as more of a criminal enterprise than a law enforcement agency.

— The Hanceville Police Department has abused public trust by its failure of oversight, lack of leadership and negligent training and hiring.

— The Hanceville Police Department has failed to account for, preserve and maintain evidence, and in doing so has failed crime victims and the public at large. This evidence is unusable.

— This Grand Jury toured the Hanceville Jail on February 12, 2025. We have zero confidence in the Hanceville Police Department’s ability to maintain a jail or to meet basic health and safety needs of jail personnel or inmates.

— That the death of former Hanceville dispatcher Chris Willingham is the direct result of Hanceville Police Department’s negligence, lack of procedure, general incompetence, and disregard for human life.

Wednesday morning, Cullman County Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick released the cause of death for a Willingham who was found dead in his office at the Hanceville Police Department Aug. 23, 2024. His body was sent for an autopsy at the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences Huntsville Lab.

The autopsy determined that Willingham died from “combined toxic effects of fentanyl, gabapentin, diazepam, amphetamine, carisoprodol and methocarbamol.’

The city of Hanceville released this statement:

“The City of Hanceville is committed to providing its citizens with the best possible community. Our City Council, Public Works Department, Fire Department, Parks and Recreation Department, City Hall, and all other divisions work diligently to create a city we can all be proud of. Unfortunately, the Hanceville Police Department has fallen short in its mission to serve the people.
“As mayor, alongside the City Council, I assure you that we will continue to fully cooperate with all investigations and authorities. The people of Hanceville deserve full transparency regarding the extent of these issues. The Council will carefully consider all recommendations and act swiftly and decisively to address the problems within the Police Department. Our citizens, industries, and businesses deserve a resolution, and we will pursue and implement the necessary corrective actions openly and aggressively.

We deeply regret the negative impact this situation has had on our community and the hard-working employees of our city.
The City of Hanceville employs many dedicated individuals across various departments who provide quality services to our citizens and Cullman County. It is unfortunate that the actions of a few have tarnished our city’s good name. Those entrusted with serving and protecting our community must be individuals of integrity and honor. While the vast majority of police officers and deputies are dedicated public servants, the misconduct of a few casts a shadow on the profession. Such individuals must be held accountable without delay. We will uncover the truth, and justice will be served.
I have spoken with District Attorney Crocker and informed him of our agreement that the evidence room should be audited by the appropriate authorities. At this time, I am unable to comment further, as we do not want to jeopardize the ongoing investigations or hinder the prosecution of those responsible.

Sincerely,

Jim Sawyer

Mayor of Hanceville