A grand jury recently indicted a former DeKalb County deputy accused of inappropriate sexual conduct with minors.
Joshua Dane Wells, 41, of Fort Payne, was indicted on three counts of first-degree sexual abuse, three counts of first-degree sodomy, three counts of second-degree sexual abuse and three counts of second-degree sodomy.
Wells was arrested in July 2024 after DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said a concerned parent complained about Wells. At the time, Wells was attending the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's (ALEA) police academy and was working part-time at the sheriff's office.
An investigation found Wells violated policy and procedures of the sheriff's office, Welden said after terminating the deputy's employment. He called the incident a black eye on the sheriff's office and said law enforcement officers are to be held to the highest of standards.
The FBI, ALEA and the 9th Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office assisted in the investigation.
The grand jury indictments state that the victim or victims were older than 12 but younger than 16. He is accused of "sexual contact," sodomy, "forcible compulsion," and "deviate sexual intercourse."
Wells' arraignment is scheduled for April 3, at 9:30 a.m. in the courtroom of Circuit Court Judge Shaunathan Bell.
Wells is considered innocent until proven guilty.
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