Dallas County, Selma authorities seek 'most wanted'

By Katie Nichols (Contact) | Selma Times-Journal

Published Saturday, February 7, 2009

Most wanted lists are not saved for just national and international levels.

In Selma and Dallas County, nine women and men make up this area’s most wanted.

The crimes allegedly committed by the following range from class-a felonies to several counts of class-a misdemeanors.

Authorities – police and deputies–said the reason most of the wanted have not been caught is because they just lucked out and other people help them elude authorities.

“We do what we can to find suspects within the law,” Police Detective Tory Neely said. “If someone helps them, then it makes it a little harder, but in due time we’ll get them. All it takes is one slip.”

Below are the top nine most wanted suspects in Selma and Dallas County:

Frank “Happy” Carter, 47, Tyler

Selma police have a warrant for Carter regarding a first-degree kidnapping that occurred on April 18, 2007.

Carter allegedly forced the female victim at knifepoint and placed her in her car. Before he left, he threw her to the ground and choked her until she lost consciousness authorities said.

Anthony Rivers, 43, Selma

Deputies are searching for Rivers in connection with a Dec. 2, 2008 shooting where the victim was shot in the leg and buttocks.

“Witnesses reported Mr. Rivers held the gun to the victim’s head, but a family member talked him out of shooting him,” Sheriff’s Sgt. John Hatfield said.

Rivers recently spent 12 years in prison for aggravated assault according to authorities.

Deputies warned Rivers should be considered armed and dangerous.

Rodney Keith Martin, 23, Selma

On Oct. 20, 2008, authorities suspect Martin placed a gun to a victim’s head and robbed him money in the 1200 Block of Woodrow Ave.

Police have a warrant for Martin for robbery first-degree, which is a class-a felony under the Code of Alabama.

Chief William T. Riley spoke earlier about the precarious nature of armed robberies.

“When you have armed robberies or burglaries, you never know when it can turn into a shooting that can lead to a murder,” he said.

Willie C. Morrow, 30, Burnsville

A class-b felony warrant has been issued for Morrow for receiving stolen property first-degree. Sheriff’s Deputies are currently looking for him because they alleged he knowingly bought or took stolen property.

The Code of Alabama deems knowingly possessing belongings taken in a larceny valued over $2,500 is punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $30,000.

Cedric Eaton, 22, Selma

Eaton allegedly placed a gun to the head of a 25 year-old victim on Nov. 11, 2008.

“Mr. Eaton demanded money from the victim,” Police Sgt. Doug Stewart said. The robbery occurred in the 1700 Block of Alabama Ave. and police issued a first-degree robbery warrant for Eaton's arrest.

LeeAnn Butler, 29, Orrville

Sheriff’s deputies have 29 warrants for Butler for negotiating with a worthless negotiable instrument. Authorities said they usually don’t see that many counts. If convicted of all 29 class-a misdemeanors, then the punishment will add up. One conviction could result in prison time up to one year and a fine up to $6,000.

Tameka Nicole Tabb, 31, Selma

Police reported Tabb first stole checks from a person. She then allegedly took the victim’s checks and cashed them to pay bills. Police charged her with theft of property by deception in the second-degree.

Willie Morrow, 58, Plantersville

Deputies obtained a warrant for Morrow for theft of property second-degree.

The Code of Alabama defines the charge as unlawfully taking property valued between $250 and $1,000. If a suspect takes a firearm or credit/debit card, then it is automatically considered second degree.

Leonard Crocker, 44, Selma

Deputies are looking for Crocker for theft of property by deception. The Code of Alabama defines this offense as someone who “Knowingly obtains by deception control over the property of another, with intent to deprive the owner of his or her property.”

If you have any information on the whereabouts of any of these individuals, then authorities ask you to contact them.

Information for those wanted by police–Carter, Martin, Eaton and Tabb–can call the department at 874-6611 or the Secret Witness Line at 874-2190.

Those sought by the sheriff’s department–Rivers, Morrow, Butler, Morrow and Crocker–can call 874-2530.

Crime Stoppers can be called for either agency and information leading to an arrest can pay up to $1,000. The number is 877-3530.

Neely said people with outstanding warrants will be caught, but it is just a matter of time.

“Outstanding warrants don’t go away,” he said. “There are only two ways a warrant can be cleared. The first is once the suspect is arrested the warrant will be cleared. Second is for the suspect to die.”

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