Alabama Deputy Violates Rights, Films Corruption

A Marshall County Deputy in Alabama is under severe public criticism from the people. LT Tom Sorrell with the Marshall County Sheriff's Office arrested Lana Patrick with the J-Town Press and seized all equipment from Russell Pickron with Georgia Transparency.

Step into a public space in a government building in Marshall County Alabama recording could have you behind bars with multiple charges.

Marshall County Revenue Commissioner Michael Johnson did not want citizen journalists photographing or filming publicly accessible areas. Immediately demanding to know who Lana and Russell were. Things escalated quickly and LT Tom Sorrell arrived. Appearing to not give Lana the opportunity to leave after asking a reasonable question, LT Sorrell placed her under arrest.

Russell was given the opportunity to leave and when he was attempting to exit the building, he was stopped again. LT Sorrell appeared to have created a new encounter and without question, warrant, or subpoena; Sorrell seized Russell’s camera equipment. However, deputies failed to turn off the cameras.

The camera was taken inside the restricted areas of the jail by deputies and captured footage of inmates. Footage inside the jail was not released in the initial story. It appears that jail conditions inside could be unsatisfactory.

Russell spoke with Sheriff Phil Sims in the Sheriff’s Office lobby. Sheriff Sim’s agreed to return GT’s camera equipment. It appears GT’s camera equipment may have been illegally seized.

LT Sorrell appears to have a past of misconduct. He was terminated from the Hanceville, Alabama Police Department. In an article published by The Cullman Times by Evan Belanger, LT Sorrell was terminated for “ continuous poor judgement .” Reported previously, Sorrell was convicted of second-degree criminal trespassing at a residence in Blount County.

It was also reported that after unjustly arresting and interrogating an elderly couple he harassed them in an alleged effort to keep them from suing him.

It was also noted in The Cullman Times, “ that Sorrell was disciplined previously for misconduct judged to be non-criminal in nature.”

LT Tom Sorrell may have also served in the United States Army and obtained the rank of SSG (Staff Sergeant). Not only taking an oath of enlistment but also other oaths to support and defend the constitution.
The constitution doesn’t bend for how someone feels about something.

It appears that LT Sorrell might be loving that he arrested Lana with the J-Town Press. Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, you may not delete, or censor comments placed on the government Facebook page. Removing comments could subject the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office for future civil litigation. Just because you don’t like or agree with what someone says, you can’t silence them. However, if comments violate local and state laws then a proper investigation should be conducted and charged accordingly.

According to Sorrell’s wife, Debra Sorrell, he works in Hanceville because he wants to. It appears that Debra Sorrell serves on the city council in Blountsville, Alabama. GT may begin looking into Blountsville’s financials as well. We plan to request financial documents to see where your tax dollars are being spent.

Full story to be released soon on the Georgia Transparency channel.

Reputable Source:

https://www.cullmantimes.com/archives/police-officer-fired/article_fe975d2b-d1b1-5cdf-ae2a-5845adeab3e5.html

https://www.cullmantimes.com/archives/hanceville-council-upholds-decision-to-fire-police-officer/article_a6163557-2fd7-56d4-9388-81894546e6ef.html

ThumbnailPhoto byGeorgia Transparency