MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release   Date:  March 16, 2022

From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden: 

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Two subjects are facing charges after the DeKalb County Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant near Kilpatrick, resulting in dismantling marijuana growth and discovering a large amount of methamphetamine. 

Agents and Deputies went to the residence at approximately 5 pm yesterday (March 15, 2022) to conduct a search for suspected illegal narcotics on County Road 8. While conducting the search, Agents and Deputies located large marijuana grow consisting of 191 mature plants. 

Also located at the residence was a half-pound of methamphetamine and suspected items to make Marijuana THC Concentrate (Dabs). 

Arrested on the scene were Stanley Bruce (53 of Crossville) and Gary Plunkett (56 of Crossville). Both were charged with Trafficking in Any Illegal Drug - Methamphetamine, Trafficking in Any Illegal Drug - Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 

Both Bruce and Plunkett remain in the DeKalb County Detention Center on a $124,500 bond. 

This investigation is ongoing and more charges may be pending upon completion. 

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the arrest: “This is a great job by our Narcotics Unit! These subjects had set up a criminal drug enterprise in the area, and we were glad to dismantle it!” 

“I know some might say that marijuana is not that dangerous, but drug dealers don’t worry about ‘dangers’ and don’t limit themselves to just weed, and this is a good example of that. Their primary goal is to make money, and they do not limit themselves to only what they consider ‘safe,’” said Sheriff Welden. 

“We also are glad to have members of our Narcotics Unit on Federal Task Forces that can now pursue federal charges on these subjects for stiffer sentences,” said Welden. 

“God Bless!” Concluded Sheriff Welden.