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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

Eight people were arrested this month as a result of joint-undercover operations by the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division and the Clanton Police Department Narcotics Unit.

“Much of what the investigators do is covert, undercover work. Some of it takes months. A lot of times they are waiting for the right time, the right piece of the puzzle, or the right phone call,” Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon said in a press release. “They do what they have to do to make good cases. Cases that are hopefully going to take repeat offenders out of our community.”

Elijah Dandrea Nelson, age 38, and Kimberly Marie Owens, age 35, were charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana First Degree, Illegal Possession of Prescription Drugs, Possession of a Pistol by Drunk/Addict and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

These charges were made after a search warrant was served on May 6 in the 5000 block of County Road 9, and investigators found approximately “10 ten grams of Methamphetamine, approximately 30 grams of marijuana, illegal prescription medication, and numerous items of drug paraphernalia,” according to a press release from the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Both were in the Chilton County Jail with no bond as of May 24.

“Nelson was out on bond for a 2020 arrest from a previous Search Warrant where he was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Drug Paraphernalia,” according to the release. “Investigators asked the District Attorney’s Office to file for a Bond Revocation based on the new charges. “That request was granted by the Court … Owens was on State Probation at the time of her arrest. She is currently in the Chilton County Jail on a Probation Revocation warrant with no bond.”

Ashley Nicole Blalock, age 37; Chadwick Heath Adams, age 33; Cedric Lydell Underwood, age 46; and Joseph Patrick Lowery Jr., age 22 were arrested after the Special Operations Division executed a search warrant on May 12 in the 4000 block of County Road 59.

The investigators “seized approximately (15) fifteen grams of Methamphetamine, approximately ¼ pound of Marijuana, Xanax, numerous items of Drug Paraphernalia and an AR-15 style pistol with multiple magazines,” according to a press release.

Each was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute.

Blalock was also charged with “Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Illegal Prescription Drugs” as well as “an outstanding Failure to Appear warrant from a previous Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance charge.”

As of May 24, Blalock was in the Chilton County Jail without bond.

Additional charges for Adams included: Unlawful Possession of Marijuana First Degree and Possession of Illegal Prescription Drugs.

As of May 24, Adams was in the Chilton County Jail with a $36,250 surety bond.

Additional charges for Lowery were Unlawful Possession of Marijuana First Degree, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Illegal Prescription Drugs.

“Lowery was on supervised release from a previous offense through the Community Corrections Program. He is currently being held without bond in the Chilton County Jail on a Community Corrections violation warrant,” according to the press release.

Underwood was also charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Illegal Possession of Prescription Drugs, and Possession of a Pistol by a Violent Felon.

“Underwood posted a $52,500 bond,” according to CCSO.

Jarrod Carl Jones, age 47, was arrested on May 13 in Jemison on a “Failure to Appear warrant on a previous Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance charge,” the press release stated.

While serving the arrest warrant, the investigators of the Special Operations Division conducted a “consensual search of the residence” Jones was in and found “Methamphetamine,

Marijuana, and Drug Paraphernalia, which led to additional charges.

“Jones is currently in the Chilton County Jail without bond on the Failure to Appear Warrant,” according to CCSO.

Brandon James Moore, age 36, was arrested on County Road 878 on May 13 and charged with “Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.”

“Moore attempted to flee from Investigators on foot but was apprehended after a brief vehicle and foot chase,” according to CCSO.

Because of a prior failure to appear, Moore is being held in the Chilton County Jail without bond.

“Our joint efforts with Clanton Police Department has been a force multiplier for both Agencies,” Shearon said. “My ultimate goal is and always has been, to have all the Agencies in the County come together and form a joint Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.”

Several other cases with Unlawful Distribution of Controlled Substance charges will be presented to the next Chilton County Grand Jury.