You see them at the gas station or scrolling through your local news feed—the grainy, high-contrast mugshots that make up Alabama's most wanted photos. Most folks just glance and move on. They think these lists are just for "the bad guys" in some distant city. But that’s the first mistake. These lists are living, breathing catalogs of people who might be your neighbor, your coworker, or that guy you saw at the Piggly Wiggly last Tuesday.
Law enforcement in the Yellowhammer State isn't just looking for "movie villains." They are hunting for real people like Jaquan Simon Henderson, wanted as of January 2026 for domestic violence strangulation in Jefferson County. Or Jamie Lynn Brown, a 51-year-old wanted for electronic stalking. These aren't just faces; they are active cases where public eyes are often the only thing left to close the file.
Why Alabama's Most Wanted Photos Aren't Just Mugshots
A lot of people think a "Most Wanted" list is a static hall of shame. It’s actually the opposite. It’s a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek where the "hiders" are often desperate and the "seekers" are understaffed. When you look at Alabama's most wanted photos, you’re seeing the culmination of months, sometimes years, of detective work that hit a brick wall.
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Take the case of Eric Tyshaun Billups. As of mid-January 2026, he’s wanted for failure to appear on an attempted murder charge. Think about that. He was already in the system, caught, and then he just... didn't show up. Now, his face is on a digital billboard or a website, hoping someone recognizes his "long black hair" or "brown eyes" in a different context.
The photos themselves are a mix of quality. You’ll get a crystal-clear DMV photo for one person and a blurry, 10-year-old mugshot for another. It makes the job harder.
The Layers of the Hunt
Alabama doesn't have just one list. That’s a common misconception. You’ve basically got several different "layers" of most wanted lists:
- The Big Dogs (FBI & U.S. Marshals): These are the guys who crossed state lines. If someone like Juan Carlos Martinez (wanted for murder) is on the Birmingham FBI list, they’re looking globally, not just in Guntersville.
- ALEA (Alabama Law Enforcement Agency): This is the statewide database. It’s more clinical, less "flashy," but it covers every corner of the state from Mobile to Huntsville.
- Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama: This is where you find the most recent, local faces. Names like Rachel Lynn Bonner (wanted for identity theft) or Jermaine Cortez Cooper (drug trafficking) show up here frequently.
The Reality of "On The Run" in 2026
Honestly, being a fugitive in Alabama today is a lot harder than it was twenty years ago. You’ve got Ring doorbells, license plate readers, and the fact that everyone carries a high-definition camera in their pocket. Yet, people still slip through the cracks.
Why? Because they hide in plain sight.
Fugitives like Mark Jerome Davis, wanted for violating sex offender registration acts, often rely on small, tight-knit communities where people don't ask too many questions. Or they move to the "Last Known Address" spots that are often years out of date. For Davis, that was the Bessemer Super Highway area. For others, it’s across the state line in Florida or Mississippi.
It's Not Always Violent Crime
When you search for Alabama's most wanted photos, don't expect only "hardened" criminals. The list is surprisingly diverse.
- Financial Crimes: People like Lakita Donesia Allen or Terry Joe Barrett have been flagged for multiple counts of Negotiating a Worthless Non-Negotiable Instrument (basically, bad checks).
- Domestic Issues: A huge chunk of the current 2026 Jefferson County warrants are for domestic violence and strangulation.
- Failure to Appear (FTA): This is the "low-hanging fruit" that keeps the lists populated. People like Broderickus Carmichael (burglary 3rd) aren't necessarily masterminds; they just didn't go to court.
How to Handle These Photos Without Being a Hero
Let’s be real for a second. If you see someone from Alabama's most wanted photos at a Waffle House, do not try to be Batman. Law enforcement is very clear about this: Do not attempt to apprehend these subjects. Most of these individuals, especially those wanted for violent crimes like DeAngelo Demetrius Merrill (wanted by Mobile PD for murder), are considered armed and dangerous. You don't know their state of mind.
The Right Way to Report
If you recognize a face, you’ve got a few solid, anonymous options:
- Crime Stoppers (205-254-7777): They don't use Caller ID. They don't record the calls. You get a "secret number," and if your tip leads to an arrest, you can actually get a cash reward. It’s a business transaction for information.
- P3 Tips App: This is the 2026 way to do it. You can upload your own photos or videos of the suspect without ever talking to a human.
- ALEA Online Services: You can search the fugitive database directly by name or city if you think a "new guy" in town seems suspicious.
The Problem With Cold Case Photos
One thing that really trips people up is the age of the photos. Some of Alabama's most wanted have been gone since the 90s. Victor M. Martinez, wanted for a felony since 1999, was last seen in Thorsby in 2006.
When you look at a photo that’s twenty years old, you have to use a bit of imagination. Hair goes gray. People gain weight. They grow beards. Forensic artists sometimes do "age-progression" photos, but often, we’re just stuck with a snapshot of who they were before they vanished.
Actionable Steps for the Public
Don't just be a passive consumer of crime news. If you’re living in or traveling through Alabama, there are a few things you can actually do that help keep your community safer.
Check the Local Sheriff’s List Monthly
Statewide lists are great, but the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office or Jefferson County lists are where you’ll find the people likely to be in your immediate area. Names like Niheem Lee Anderson (domestic violence) are updated frequently on these local portals.
Understand the "Caution" Labels
When a photo is marked with a "Firearm" warning or "Violent Tendencies," take it seriously. It changes how you should report them. If they are an immediate threat, call 911. If you just saw them at a gas station and they’ve moved on, use the Crime Stoppers line.
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Verify Before You Share
In the age of social media, people love to share "Wanted" posters. But sometimes, those posters are years old and the person has already been caught (or even exonerated). Always check the official ALEA or Crime Stoppers website to ensure the warrant is still active before you hit "share" on Facebook or X.
The reality of Alabama's most wanted photos is that they are a tool, not a gallery. They rely on the "eyes on the street" to work. Whether it’s a high-profile murder suspect or someone who skipped out on a drug trafficking charge, the information usually comes from a regular person who noticed something that didn't feel quite right. Keep your eyes open, stay anonymous, and let the professionals handle the handcuffs.
Next Steps for Safety and Awareness:
- Bookmark the Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama "Wanted" page to check for new additions in your zip code every few weeks.
- Download the P3 Tips app so you have a secure, encrypted way to send information if you ever find yourself in a situation where you recognize a fugitive.
- Review the ALEA Community Information Center periodically to stay informed about missing persons and fugitives across the entire state, not just your local county.