A Jackson County man is facing multiple felony charges after two separate drug-related investigations conducted by the Scottsboro Police Department.
On August 16, officers responded to a residence on Beverly Street after receiving information about an individual with outstanding warrants. Upon arrival, police observed several people on the property, including a man later identified as Cash Vernon Smelley, who fled into nearby woods and initially evaded capture.
While investigating the scene, officers discovered suspected drugs on the property. Field testing confirmed a methamphetamine/fentanyl mixture weighing approximately 33 grams, along with 5 grams of marijuana. Two individuals at the location, Jeremy Lee Anderson and Heather Rae Cornelison, were arrested and charged with drug trafficking, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and obstructing governmental operations.
Warrants were also issued for Smelley on those same charges, with an additional charge of attempting to elude law enforcement.
Four days later, on August 20, officers conducted a traffic stop on Highway 40 involving a person with multiple active warrants. Smelley, who was a passenger in the vehicle, allegedly attempted to discard a bag containing methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a firearm before being taken into custody without incident.
He was booked into the Jackson County Jail and now faces charges stemming from both cases, including drug trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, attempting to elude, tampering with physical evidence, and being a person prohibited from possessing a firearm.
