OXFORD, Ala. A nineteen-year-old shot himself in the head at an Alabama shopping center and many, including law enforcement, are still full of questions that have few answers.
Local first responders were called to the Oxford Exchange shopping center Tuesday evening after someone called 911 reporting that a person had been shot. The nineteen-year-old, identified as Levi Cotton, 19, of Munford was identified as the person shot and reportedly was in critical condition.
Oxford Police Chief Daniel Phipps said the shooting appears to have been accidentally self-inflicted however, Cotton died from the self-inflicted gunshot to his head and that has raised a lot of questions in the community including asking questions about whether this was a suicide, a desperate cry for help.
Chief Phipps said that the investigators who had responded to the scene Tuesday initially collected evidence at that time to determine what had happened.
“Based on the investigation conducted thus far, the evidence indicates that this incident appears to have been an accidental self-inflicted shooting,” Phipps said.
Regarding the victim, Phipps added, “Mr. Cotton was an organ donor, and in the midst of this tragic loss, his selfless decision will provide the gift of life to others. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
While police continue investigating, they continue to believe that is was an accidental shooting.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
ORANGE BEACH Ala. A two-vessel boat crash over the weekend has resulted in the death of one woman and multiple others being injured according to ALEA.
The crash which occurred in the Intracoastal Waterway near the Wharf in Orange Beach resulted in the injuries of nine people who have been treated for various injuries from the accident.
The collision occurred at approximately 8:10 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, involving a 27-foot 2024 Albury Brothers vessel and a 23-foot 2013 Key West vessel.
This “mass casualty incident (MCI) brought many different emergency agencies to the area the Orange Beach Police Department, Orange Beach Fire Rescue, MedStar Ambulance, and Gulf Shores Fire Rescue, Medical Helicopters and the Coast Guard.
Authorities reported that Kristin Delaney, 46, of Mobile who was a passenger on the Albury Brothers vessel and was transported to the Baldwin Health hospital, was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The extent of the injuries to others has not been released but we have been told that several others were seriously injured.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is leading the investigation into the crash, and no other information is being released while they continue their investigation.
This was the second death involving a boat in Baldwin County over the weekend.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
MOBILE COUNTY, AL. Following a month-long investigation, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two individuals and is actively searching for a third suspect in connection with the alleged financial exploitation of an elderly Mobile County resident.
The investigation began in November 2025 after the victim’s daughter reported concerns that her elderly father had been the victim of fraud, extortion, forgery, and theft.
Detectives assigned to the case, working in conjunction with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, conducted an extensive investigation that included numerous court authorized subpoenas, search warrants for electronic devices, financial record reviews, and countless interviews with victims and witnesses.
Investigators determined that between 2019 and 2025, three individuals allegedly worked together to fraudulently obtain money, real property, and other assets belonging to the victim through financial exploitation, theft, extortion, and forgery.
The investigation determined that approximately $659,314 in assets, including the estimated value of two properties, was unlawfully obtained from the victim.
While investigators believe the total financial loss approached $1 million, only losses supported by available evidence and that were within applicable legal timeframes were included in the criminal charges.
The Mobile County District Attorney’s Office approved the following felony charges:
Melissa Lynn Hobden
Two counts of Financial Exploitation of the Elderly, First Degree
Three counts of Theft of Property, First Degree
One count of Identity Theft
Michael Lewis Crouch
One count of Theft of Property, First Degree
One count of Attempted Theft of Property, First Degree
Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument
Nora Powe Hobden
One count of Theft of Property, First Degree
One count of Financial Exploitation of the Elderly, First Degree
At approximately 6:00 a.m., on July 15, 2026, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Special
Operations Unit executed a residential search warrant at 5515 Darring Street, Satsuma, Alabama.
During the operation, deputies took Melissa Lynn Hobden and Michael Lewis Crouch into custody without incident.
During the execution of the search warrant, investigators recovered multiple cellular phones, a laptop computer, a notebook believed to contain financial records, mail, handwritten documents, legal paperwork, and property deeds containing the victim’s personally identifying information.
Investigators also located documents identifying both Melissa Hobden and Michael Crouch inside the residence.
Nora Powe Hobden was arrested at a separate location, 2625 Middle Road on July 15, 2026.
Sheriff Paul Burch said the investigation demonstrates the Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens.
“Financial crimes against our elderly citizens are among the most heartbreaking crimes we investigate because they involve the abuse of trust. Our investigators spent months following the evidence, reviewing financial records, and building a case that would hold those responsible accountable.
If you exploit the elderly for your own financial gain, you should expect the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office to pursue you relentlessly.”
The investigation remains active, and additional charges are possible as detectives continue reviewing evidence obtained during the search warrants.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office at (251) 574-8633 or submit anonymous tips through
www.mobileso.com/crimetips/
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ORANGE BEACH, Ala. Police in Orange Beach recently introduced their newest officer to the community and the officer is already a big hit with many area residents.
“Gator” a German Shorthaired Pointer, is a dual-purpose dog in as much that Gator can be used for narcotics detection as well as tracking and trailing to assist in locating suspects and missing persons.
Gator differs from some other police K-9s because he’s not trained to attack although police dogs are very protective of their handlers, one officer told me.
The two-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer began serving the Orange Beach community on May 27, 2026, is partnered with Officer Brennan Giles. After an “intensive training program” that began March 16, the pair completed K9 school on May 21, 2026.
Gator’s duties include assisting officers with detecting drugs, tracking and trailing and other official law enforcement duties and you’ll also see him out in the community, doing demonstrations, visiting schools and attending community events.
“If Gator is actively working, please allow him to stay focused on his job. If you see him at a community event, feel free to stop by and say hello!”
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RICHLAND PARISH, La. A massive AI data center under construction in rural Louisiana is now slated to get bigger and costlier even before the project is completed.
The massive Hyperion data center with a big assist from the state’s government is going to be bigger and will become home to Meta’s largest data center and will be a 5 GW facility and cost more than $50 billion. That’s higher than the $27 billion figure that was revealed in October, when Meta and Blue Owl Capital formed a joint venture to help with the build-out and management of the facility, originally planned as a 2 GW data center.
Surprisingly, very few people in the state have challenged it.
In fact, many state leaders are on board with it and have contributed tax dollars to make the project happen.
The company said in a blog post Monday that the site in Richland Parish, Louisiana, which is now home to what will be Meta’s largest data center ever.
As Meta pursues its multi-hundred-billion-dollar artificial intelligence build-out, the company and hyperscaler rivals Microsoft, , Alphabet and Amazon as the company continues taking advantage of tax rebates and energy deals being offered by states that are fighting to get a piece of the AI boom.
In late 2024, Louisiana Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed into law a 20-year sales tax exemption for data centers built before 2029 as part of an effort to court Meta in the state, CNBC previously reported. Landry is set to host a press event on Monday in Baton Rouge.
Last year, Landry touted to several media outlets that he was a “business guy” and keeping our citizens working is vital.
“What we know is when you look at the overall comprehensive package here, it’s in the black. For local government, and the state, and how you get to the bottom line is irrespective to me,” the Governor stated.
Meta is expanding the project as it seeks to build out enough AI infrastructure to meet demand. The announcement comes after Meta had its best week on the stock market since early 2024 following the release of two major artificial intelligence models under the leadership of AI chief Alexandr Wang, head of Meta Superintelligence Labs. Investors have been looking for the company to start showing returns on its outsized AI investments.
An online post by Meta stated that the company “pays the full costs of the energy, water, and related infrastructure the data center uses so consumers aren’t paying the cost.” Since construction of the Louisiana data center began in December 2024, local businesses have received more than $1.6 billion in contracts from Meta, the company said.
“With this expansion, we will be investing over $1 billion in local infrastructure improvements, including roads, water and wastewater systems,” Meta said in the post. The company didn’t announce a financial partner for the expansion.
A Meta spokesperson stated that the Hyperion project should reach 2 GW by 2030, but there’s no timeline for when the full 5 GW project will be completed.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
SPANISH FORT, Ala. A short-lived police pursuit in Spanish Fort Sunday afternoon started with a traffic infraction and an attempt by a police officer to conduct a traffic stop on the driver.
According to police, the driver failed to pull over for blue lights and sirens and fled onto Eastern Shore where an area ALEA trooper spotted the chase and joined in to assist the local officer at around 2:10 p.m., July 12th, 2026.
Other troopers and Spanish Fort officers were able to box in the driver along State Highway 31 near Jessie Road.
Law enforcement officers were then able to get the driver out of the vehicle and handcuffed.
Officers said that the vehicle with Texas tags and that the driver also had some legal issues including his license not being valid.
A check of the police databases also showed that he was also wanted on an arrest warrant issued out of Lubbock County Texas.
Police booked the driver into the jail on several charges.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
MOBILE, AL – A Foley man was sentenced to 324 months in prison dealing bulk methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Corinthius Shatuel Woodard, 30, pleaded guilty to participating in a vast drug-trafficking organization (“DTO”) responsible for distributing bulk methamphetamine and fentanyl between August 2022 and July 2024. Woodard supplied multiple pounds of pure methamphetamine to various customers in the Baldwin County area.
On May 9, 2024, police in Robertsdale seized crack cocaine and cocaine from a vehicle being driven by one of Woodard’s conspirators, which Woodard admitted was his rental car. Agents searched a phone seized from Woodard’s conspirator and found numerous text messages between Woodard and the conspirator about setting up drug deals.
Four days later, on May 13, 2024, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop of two of Woodard’s drug conspirators in Foley. Deputies seized more than 200 grams of pure methamphetamine and more than 50 grams of fentanyl pills from the car, which was occupied by three children. Deputies seized phones belonging to Woodard’s conspirators and again found numerous messages from Woodard about setting up drug deals.
On May 17, 2024, two of Woodard’s drug conspirators led deputies on a high-speed chase in Foley. Deputies eventually arrested the conspirators and seized nearly a kilogram of pure methamphetamine from them. Deputies also seized a cell phone belonging to one of the conspirators and again located messages from Woodard about setting up drug deals.
On June 15, 2024, Baldwin County deputies attempted to stop Woodard’s rental vehicle in Foley. Woodard took off on a high-speed chase with three young children in the back seat of the car. During the chase, dash and body-worn camera videos depicted Woodard throwing a large plastic bag into the roadway. The bag contained more than 300 grams of pure methamphetamine. Deputies caught up with Woodard and arrested him, finding small amounts of cocaine and marijuana in the car. Deputies seized Woodard’s cell phone and found dozens of messages he sent about setting up drug deals and having associates “wash dirty money” for him.
On July 9, 2024, federal agents searched the apartment of one of the DTO’s methamphetamine suppliers in Pensacola, Florida. During that search, agents seized more than three kilograms of pure methamphetamine, more than 220 grams of fentanyl, several loaded firearms, and more than $56,000 in cash.
At the time Woodard committed his drug-trafficking crimes, he had several prior felony convictions, including a serious violent felony conviction in 2018 for shooting into an occupied vehicle.
In addition to the 324-month prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Terry F. Moorer ordered Woodard to serve a ten-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time Woodard will be subject to drug testing and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Moorer ordered Woodard to pay $100 in special assessments.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the Foley Police Department, and the Robertsdale Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This prosecution was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Mobile comprises agents and officers from, among others, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.
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FORT MORGAN, Ala. – A vessel that was deemed to be off the Fort Morgan coastline and in trouble sent a distress signal Friday afternoon.
Baldwin County 911 Communications dispatched the Fort Morgan Fire Department, EMS and ALEA Marine Police after receiving 911 calls that the boat was sinking with several souls aboard.
Emergency personnel from multiple agencies responded to the area.
The U.S. Coast Guard also dispatched emergency personnel.
Within a short time, rescuers located the boat that was in trouble and aided the vessel occupants.
We were told that at least one person had minor injuries and that everyone was checked by EMS.
This is the third vessel in distress that has been aided by area emergency services during the past week.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. An employee has been shot outside of the Hyundai plant in Montgomery.
According to law enforcement, police, firefighters and EMS were called to the plant in the 700 block of Hyundai Boulevard Wednesday at around 10:30 p.m.
Emergency responders found the man, who a spokesman for Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama confirmed was an employee of the manufacturer suffering from a gunshot wound in the parking area during shift change.
A police spokesperson said that the unidentified employee was suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound.
The spokesman identified the victim as an HMMA team member. He said the incident involved the employee and “an armed individual who we do not believe is an HMMA team member.”
Law enforcement is actively investigating the incident, and we are cooperating fully with that investigation. Because it remains an active investigation, we are unable to provide additional details at this time.
“Our thoughts are with our team member and their family, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery.
We are grateful for the prompt response of law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, and those who assisted at the scene.
The safety and security of our team members remain our highest priority.”
When asked if firearms are allowed on the property, or if their security guards were armed, there were no replies.
No additional details about what led up to the shooting have been released at this time. The investigation is ongoing.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. The 4th of July holiday is a very busy time in Alabama, and we often see many traffic collisions and sadly, traffic fatalities statewide.
But this year, ALEA is reporting that although there were quite a few wrecks, serious injuries and fatal crashes were down.
Officials with ALEA said that the holiday campaign counted the holiday travel period between Friday, July 3, and Sunday, July 5.
ALEA said increased patrols during this period and participation in national traffic safety initiatives including Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over on roadways and Operation Dry Water on the waterways, troopers were focused on deterring impaired driving and boating and ALEA is reporting a significant decline in traffic fatalities during their Fourth of July holiday enforcement campaign.
During the 2026 Fourth of July holiday travel period, ALEA investigated 263 traffic crashes, resulting in 129 injuries and four fatalities statewide.
In 2025, ALEA investigated 324 traffic crashes with 155 injuries and 12 fatalities.
ALEA officials said that’s a 66% reduction in roadway fatalities in 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
ALEA troopers said they also issued 2,639 traffic citations and 1,034 warnings. They also made 46 driving under the influence (DIU) arrests.
On the waterways, ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division investigated nine boating incidents and one serious boating incident involving a missing person. They also made 555 vessel stops, issuing 235 citations and 695 warnings. They also made three boating under the influence (BUI) arrests.
“This year’s Fourth of July holiday results demonstrate the positive impact that enforcement, education and personal responsibility can have on public safety,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “Reducing traffic fatalities from 12 last year to four this year is a meaningful achievement and reflects the combined efforts of our Agency personnel, our public safety partners and the countless motorists who made safe, responsible decisions behind the wheel. While we are encouraged by this progress, our mission remains unchanged because even one life lost is one too many.”
Taylor said he wants residents of the state to know that safe choices extend beyond any holiday weekend.
“Whether you’re traveling on our highways or enjoying Alabama’s lakes and rivers, every decision matters,” Taylor said.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
LOXLEY, Ala. At least four people were injured on Interstate 10 near Loxley Friday afternoon.
According to law enforcement, four vehicles were involved in a traffic collision on Interstate 10 near the 42 mile-marker Eastbound at around 3:20 p.m. on July 10th, 2026.
Authorities said that traffic quickly came to a halt as the interstate was briefly closed.
Loxley police and fire departments along with multiple ambulances were dispatched to the wreck.
A medical helicopter was initially dispatched but was not needed.
ALEA troopers were also dispatched to the scene.
According to police, four people were transported by ground ambulance transport with non-life-threatening injuries.
ALEA said that the crash is under investigation.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
July 11, 2026 MOBILE, Ala. The Mobile River Bridge is on again and off again and with every delay, the cost of building the bridge is increasing.
A revised plan recently announced by ALDOT, the Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization would begin with construction of a new six-lane cable-stayed bridge over the Mobile River, interchange improvements and restriping the existing Bayway to create six lanes across Mobile Bay.
ALDOT now says that the construction could take at least five years to complete and that the construction of a new Bayway, which was once a central part of the project, would be pushed into a second phase.
ALDOT admits that there’s a lot of moving parts, and that delays are costing the construction price tag to increase significantly. A representative now states that Phase One includes “utilizing the existing good condition of the Bayway by restriping it to provide six lanes of capacity across Mobile Bay.” Phase Two is described only as “construction of a new Bayway structure, to be paid for by toll revenue under existing toll rates.”
The cost of the tolls could not reach $8.00 per crossing and that’s if everything falls into place during the new timeline.
ALDOT says the revised approach is necessary to keep the project alive. “To reduce costs and maintain a viable path forward, ALDOT is moving forward with a phased project approach,” the fact sheet states.
ALDOT admits that the cost of the construction continues to grow compared to the cost estimate issued in 2019, when the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project was widely described as a roughly $2.1 billion project, with proposed tolls of $6 one way or a $90 monthly pass.
By 2022, ALDOT said inflation had pushed the project’s construction estimate from $2.1 billion to $2.7 billion. That revived framework called for a new Mobile River Bridge and a new Bayway, with free routes preserved, passenger vehicle tolls of $2.50 or less, and a $40 monthly unlimited pass.
The latest fact sheet lists Phase One construction costs alone at approximately $3.2 billion.
That number does not include a current public estimate for Phase Two construction of the new Bayway. ALDOT’s 2024 project budget previously listed the Bayway and east-side interchange work at about $960 million in 2023 dollars, separate from the $1.345 billion listed for the Mobile River Bridge and west-side interchange work.
“Over the past five years, the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project has faced significant financial and engineering challenges,” the fact sheet says, citing “significant nationwide construction inflation,” “major increases in labor and material costs,” “unexpected geotechnical and engineering challenges on the Bayway” and “costly federal regulatory requirements.”
The new plan also comes with higher tolls than the framework local leaders endorsed in 2022.
The earlier plan called for a $40 monthly unlimited commuter pass and passenger tolls of $2.50 or less with an ALGO pass.
The new plan calls for a $60 unlimited monthly commuter pass, a $3 per-trip ALGO Pass rate, and $7.70 for users with interoperable transponders. Drivers without a transponder would be billed through a pay-by-plate process, though the exact pay-by-plate rate was not listed in the release.
“No tolls would be collected until the new bridge opens, currently projected around 2031,” ALDOT said in the release. Existing free routes, including the Wallace Tunnel, Bankhead Tunnel, Causeway and Africatown Bridge, would remain open and would not be tolled.
ALDOT says the toll rates are designed to keep costs reasonable for frequent users and remain “well below current and anticipated inflation rates since the new toll structure was first announced in 2021.”
Governor Kay Ivey’s office has repeatedly stood by the project stating that it is essential for Alabama’s future and represents one of the most important infrastructure investments in our state’s history. “This transformative project will strengthen our economy, improve safety and ensure we are better prepared in times of emergency.”
Business leaders both in Southern Alabama and statewide have called for the construction to begin immediately and to reduce the cost through grants and additional federal spending.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville credited the Trump Administration with “cutting through the red tape” and said the project is critical for commerce, travel, hurricane evacuations and national security. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt called it “exactly the kind of strategic infrastructure investment that strengthens our economy, supports our port, improves safety, and benefits every American who travels the I-10 corridor.”
ALDOT says the project is positioned to break ground before the end of 2026, pending approval of a federal TIFIA loan. Phase One completion is expected in 2031.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
SPANISH FORT, Ala. An overnight head-on collision on the Bayway Friday morning, injured several people and shut down part of Interstate 10 for hours.
Spanish Fort police and fire departments along with EMS were dispatched to the interstate after 911 received a call that a wrong way driver had collided with another vehicle.
According to Spanish fort Police Chief John Barber, the department received a call around 4:42 a.m. of a vehicle driving in the wrong direction on the Bayway.
The first car was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes. Before police could get to the car, it allegedly struck a car traveling westbound head-on.
Before the roadway could be closed, Barber said other wrecks were reported in the westbound lanes that police say were probably the result of congestion caused by the initial crash.
A medical helicopter was also initially dispatched to the scene.
Both drivers were taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Additionally, a crash was reported near the Wallace Tunnel just before the Bayway crash that could have involved the same wrong-way driver according to law enforcement.
ALEA troopers are currently investigating this traffic collision.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
On Friday, July 3, 2026, and on Saturday, July 4, 2026, the Mobile Police Department conducted a traffic enforcement operation over the July 4th holiday weekend. The operation was focused on major roadways across the city.
92 traffic stops were conducted; officers issued 88 citations and issued 47 warnings over the two-day enforcement.
See the full recap below:
TYPE
CITATION
WARNING
Speeding
49
17
Red Light
2
0
Stop Sign
0
0
Reckless Driving
1
0
Fail to Yield Right Way
0
0
Improper Passing
0
0
Improper Turn
0
0
Misc. Moving
4
4
No/Expired DL
5
3
Restricted DL
0
0
Sus/Rev/Canc DL
4
0
No Seat Belt
0
1
Child Restraint
1
0
Tag Violation
7
6
Equipment Violation
2
15
No Insurance
12
0
Fail to Register
1
1
Mun. Ordinance
0
0
DUI
0
0
TOTALS
88
47
Total Citations & Warning Citations
135
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. A retail caper involving over $300,000 of rugs has ended with one person heading to federal prison.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Tuesday that the mastermind who was arrested after a multi-state investigation won’t be shopping for carpet anytime soon.
The Georgia woman, identified in the court documents as Santina Green, also known as Santina Hill, of Decatur, Georgia, entered an open plea of no contest to racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, and fraud charges related to an organized retail crime operation.
The woman is accused of helping orchestrate a retail fraud scheme that prosecutors say stole up to $300,000 from TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods stores.
Organized retail theft involves a scheme to steal mass quantities of merchandise and either sell it on the internet or at flea markets or sometimes through small retail shops and usually has a kingpin or mastermind and employs others who do the stealing.
Authorities said Green was identified as the primary suspect through government-issued identification, multiple aliases, store surveillance footage, return data and bank records. Investigators also linked her to co-subjects Albert Junior Boyce Jr., Diana Rochelle Harris and David Lee Griffin.
Prosecutors said Green continued participating in the scheme through April 2021.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Green played a central role in a scheme that defrauded TJX Companies Inc. stores of more than $50,000 in Florida and as much as $300,000 overall through repeated fraudulent refunds.
This conviction holds a fraudster accountable for leading a sophisticated racketeering scheme that stole hundreds of thousands of dollars across multiple states.”
“Thanks to FDLE and our statewide prosecutors, this organized fraud ring has been stopped. We will continue our fight against retail fraud to protect Florida businesses and keep prices down for families.” Uthmeier said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation focused on fraudulent returns of high-value area rugs priced between $400 and $1,000 between November 2020 and May 2021.
Investigators said members of the group would purchase expensive rugs at TJX “combo” stores using debit cards and then immediately make a “change-of-mind” return while keeping the original receipt. Authorities said the same receipt, or a duplicate, was later used at other TJX locations to return cheaper, non-TJX rugs that had been purchased elsewhere and altered with forged “silent price coding” to resemble authentic products.
According to prosecutors, the operation exploited delays in reconciliation between combo-store and standalone-store point-of-sale systems, allowing multiple refunds to be issued on a single receipt before the transactions were flagged nationally.
Investigators identified nine debit cards tied to the suspects and linked them to 84 fraudulent transactions in Florida.
The plea came during Green’s trial in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in Lee County. The Attorney General’s Office said statewide prosecutors had brought in witnesses from England, Massachusetts, Virginia, Pasco County, Sarasota County and Miami-Dade County before Green entered the plea.
Green faces up to 75 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. Sentencing is scheduled for August. 3, 2026, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
SUMMERDALE, Ala. A pedestrian was struck and injured Wednesday morning at around 11:30 a.m.
Several people stopped and helped care for the person while emergency responders were on the way.
Police, the Summerdale Fire Department and Medstar responded to the area of 18390 County Road 28 where they found the injured man.
A medical helicopter was also dispatched to the scene.
According to information obtained at the scene of the wreck, the injuries to the person was significant but police have not released any other details.
Police are investigating but have released no information on the driver of the vehicle.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
SILVERHILL, Ala. Authorities received a 911 call on Wednesday morning at around 11:00 on July 8th, 2026, and the caller stated that a person had been shot multiple times.
Law enforcement, the Silverhill Fire Department and EMS responded to the area of the PoleCat Creek Mobile Home Park on South Boulevard. Upon arrival they were told that the man was down the street, where officers found the victim nearby.
Police said that the man had been shot fourteen times with a BB gun and that two men fled the area.
A medical helicopter was also dispatched to the area.
Several law enforcement units checked the area while a fire crew attended to the medical needs of the injured person, who police have not identified yet.
At this time the man has non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation is ongoing.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
PENSACOLA, Fla. Police frustrated with the violence that occurred on the 4th of July in the downtown area announced that two people have been arrested, but that they are still searching for others.
Pensacola Police Chief Eric Winstrom said that Lillian Meyers and Nicholas Safford are facing multiple charges, but not homicide.
The Chief also said that three guns used in the shootings have also been recovered.
The victim killed has been identified as 19-year-old Phillip Devon Monte Sheppard Jr., known to friends and family as P.J.
Safford, 26, of Daphne is being held on charges of aggravated assault, weapons possession and firing a weapon.
After the shooting, Winstrom said Safford gave his gun to Lillian Meyers, 25, of Pensacola, who then fled the scene with it. Now Meyers faces charges of public order crimes and obstructing justice.
The police chief that the arrests are good, but his investigators are tracking the shooters who are wanted for murder.
“We have also determined that there were at least three shooters involved in the incident,” Pensacola police spokesman Mike Wood said. “There has not been anyone charged in the homicide portion of the investigation as of today, but the investigation is proceeding.
Police also told me that local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are involved with the investigation.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
GULF SHORES, Ala. An Alabama man is facing three felony charges after police in Gulf Shores said the man acted inappropriately and sexually towards several females.
Todd Sterlin Trolinger Jr., 37, of Millbrook, is charged with three counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.
According to law enforcement, Trolinger approached two females on July 2nd, 2026, from behind with a beer can in his shorts and made inappropriate physical contact of a sexual nature.
One of the alleged victims is an adult; the other is identified in the complaint as a 17-year-old male.
Two of the complaints were filed on July 2nd and a third affidavit describes a separate incident on July 3, 2026.
Court documents show that Trolinger is presently confined at the Baldwin County Detention Center in Bay Minette.
According to court records, a woman told investigators Trolinger attempted to touch her inappropriately.
Gulf Shores Police arrested Trolinger and booked him on three Sexual Abuse in the First Degree by forcible compulsion.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
MOBILE COUNTY, AL. The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and Mobile County District Attorney’s Office have announced the arrest of a second Prichard police officer.
On July 8, 2026, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office, arrested the officer in an ongoing investigation.
Jihad Hasan Irby was arrested and charged with the following offenses:
Two (2) counts of Extortion, First Degree
Two (2) counts of Bribery
One (1) count of Use of Office for Personal Gain
Also today, July 8, 2026, investigators served Emanuel Naman Dotch, II with the same five warrants:
Two (2) counts of Extortion, First Degree
Two (2) counts of Bribery
One (1) count of Use of Office for Personal Gain
Investigators with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office made contact with Irby to serve the warrants, and he was taken into custody without incident.
These arrests are part of the ongoing investigation into allegations of criminal misconduct within the City of Prichard Police Department. The investigation remains active, and additional arrests or charges may be forthcoming as investigators continue to review evidence and follow investigative leads.
If anyone has any information about this case please contact Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, 251-574-8633. You may also go to our website, www.mobileso.com/crimetips/ and report anonymously.
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