By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
A Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputy is facing domestic violence charges, marking the third arrest of a department employee within a single week.
Cerell Deon Cole Jr., 23, has been charged in Tuscaloosa County with third-degree domestic violence related to harassing communications and first-degree criminal trespassing. Both charges are misdemeanors. Authorities confirmed Cole has been placed on leave following his arrest.
According to court records, the incident began on March 22 when Cole allegedly confronted the mother of his child at a Birmingham bar, reportedly acting aggressively and demanding to know the whereabouts of their 2-year-old daughter. Later that evening, the woman received a home security alert indicating Cole had entered her residence without permission and taken the child.
The woman told authorities she returned home immediately and contacted police. She also reported continued harassment through phone calls and said Cole later re-entered her home without consent while still in possession of the child.
Cole was arrested April 8 and booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail before being released the same day on a $600 bond.
His arrest follows two others involving Jefferson County deputies assigned to the Bessemer Cutoff jail. Deputy Cameron Lee faces an ethics-related charge, while Deputy Joshua Nichols was arrested on drug-related charges following a traffic accident.
The series of arrests has raised concerns about conduct within the department.