crime

A Fayette County man has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to a charge of first-degree rape, according to a press release from the Office of the District Attorney, 24th Judicial Circuit of Alabama. William Charles Elam, 69, was indicted by a Fayette County grand jury on Oct. 31, 2022. He later entered a guilty plea to the charge on Nov. 17, 2025. Following a sentencing hearing held Thursday, Sam Junkin, a Fayette County circuit judge, sentenced Elam to life in prison.

Older Americans are losing billions of dollars each year to scams, and experts say the problem is only getting worse. From phone calls and emails to text messages and even traditional mail, fraud schemes are becoming more sophisticated, often targeting seniors who may be less familiar with rapidly changing technology. While scams affect people of all ages, older adults tend to suffer the greatest financial losses. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), adults age 60 and older reported losing more than $2.4 billion to fraud in 2024.

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, marks one year since authorities reported the disappearance of 1-year-old Kahleb Rowan Collins, a case that has drawn widespread attention and continues to weigh heavily on the community.

Ernest Alford Cargile | Photo courtesy of the Fayette County Jail

A Fayette County Grand Jury has indicted Ernest Alford Cargile, 67, of Fayette, on 11 counts of possession of child pornography of obscene matter of a person under 17. His bond was set at $1,102,000 on Oct. 10. According to court documents, on Nov. 20, Cargile entered pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

Dana Mullins Anderson | Photo courtesy of the Fayette County Jail

A Fayette County grand jury has indicted Dana Mullins Anderson, 63, of Fayette, on 15 counts of first‑degree theft of property. The charges stem from an alleged long‑term theft at Garry W. Magouirk, MDPC, where Anderson allegedly served as office manager since 2011.

In October 2024, multiple church burglaries were reported to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation initially led to the arrest of Jeanee Kay Vick, 50, who was charged with multiple counts of third-degree burglary, fourth-degree theft of property, third-degree forgery and criminal mischief on Nov. 7, 2024.

According to FCSO Investigator Branndon Collins, a second suspect, Zachary Seth Grace, 30, was identified as a participant in the burglaries.

On Wednesday, Oct. 29, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force agents assisted Alabama Probation and Parole during a home visit in the 23000 block of Hwy. 18 E. in Berry involving probationer Grady Pendley. 

According to Sheriff Byron Yerby and Investigator Branndon Collins, officers discovered multiple narcotics and drug paraphernalia items. Substances found included fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana and Xanax.

The plea hearing for Wendy Pamela Jean Bailey, the defendant in a high-profile child abuse case, has been postponed until April 13, 2026.

A preliminary hearing for Timothy Vess Benton has been scheduled for Oct. 16 at 2 p.m., according to recent court filings. Records show that the hearing will be held in District Judge James E. Gentry’s courtroom (courtroom No. 2) on the sixth floor of the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse. The order was submitted by Gentry and electronically filed on Friday, Sept. 19.