Five Hanceville Police Officers Indicted for Corruption, Dispatcher Death

Five officers from the Hanceville Police Department, including Chief Jason Marlin, have been indicted on multiple charges related to the death of 49-year-old dispatcher Christopher Willingham, who died of a drug overdose in August 2024. The grand jury concluded that Willingham's death resulted from the negligence of the police department, which was described as operating more like a 'criminal enterprise' than a law enforcement agency. The officers face various charges, including computer tampering, conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime, and tampering with physical evidence. An autopsy revealed that Willingham had lethal levels of several substances, including fentanyl and gabapentin, in his system at the time of death. Concerns about the department's unsecured evidence room were raised, indicating unauthorized access to hazardous materials. This situation has sparked significant scrutiny over police practices and accountability in Hanceville.