Franklin fugitives featured on television
By Staff
Rebecca James &Rebecca Walker, Franklin County Times
WHNT Channel 19 in Huntsville aired a special on Wednesday concerning the Fugitive Finder program. The program is dedicated to finding the area's "most wanted" criminals through viewer cooperation. Phone tip lines are available for viewers to report information dealing with the crimes and individuals shown on the program.
"This is the first time we [Franklin County Sheriff's Department] have ever been on a program like this," said Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott. "No one has come forward as of yet."
Among the fugitives that the sheriff's department is searching for is Vincente Soto, 29. The Franklin County Sheriff's Department has an active warrant for Soto for capital murder and for shooting into an occupied vehicle. He is considered to be armed and dangerous.
Also sought is Gilberto Jairo, 27, of Greg's Trailer Park in Russellville, who is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, carrying a pistol without a permit, possession of a forged instrument, filing a false report, and escape. The Department of Homeland Security is currently seeking him on a Firearm Violation Warrant.
Isai Hernandez-Virula, 22, of 9887 County Road 75, Russellville, is being sought on methamphetamine trafficking charges.
Kelly Thomas Alexander, 40, of 2590 Mt. Pleasant Road in Muscle Shoals, is being sought on trafficking in cocaine in trafficking charges and 2nd degree possession of marijuana charges.
Robert Anthony Schmickel, 34, is also being sought for failure to register as a sex offender.
The last fugitive sought by the Franklin County Sheriff's Department is Patrick Adam Alexander, 46. He is charged with Burglary in the 3rd and 2nd degree theft of property.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Department urges anyone with any information on these fugitives to contact Sheriff Larry Plott at 332-8825.
According to WHNT, of nine Russellville fugitives, six have been located through the Fugitive Finder program. Three others have yet to be found, however.
Christopher Cleveland Bennett is wanted by Russellville police for burglary and theft.
Steven Wayne Paige is wanted for second-degree theft by deception.
Herman Ousley Ervin is wanted for unauthorized use of a vehicle.
The following six persons have be recovered by Russellville Police as a result of Fugitive Finder:
Tonya Kay Fretwell Jones, who was charged with 19 counts of forgery, called the tip line during the telecast and turned herself in.
According to Lt. Scotty Lowrey, she claimed that the warrants were cleared and no longer active, though the Russellville Police records still showed them as active.
Jesse Clinton Ford was located in the Colbert County Jail. Jail officials informed Russellville Police of his whereabouts.
Grady D. Harris was wanted for theft by deception, in the second degree. He was located in the Cullman County Jail.
Kristy Birchfield was charged with possession of a forged instrument in the second-degree. She is now in drug rehabilitation.
Steven Eugene Birchfield was charged with possession of a forged instrument in the second-degree. He was located in the Marion County Jail.
Tommy Earl Eastridge was charged with theft of services. He is accused of stealing utilities. He was turned in by his wife, who called the tip line.
The tip line number for Russellville is 332-2230 for anyone who may have information about the other fugitives.
