The Lauderdale County Detention Center has released a former Alabama church leader who pleaded guilty to sexual abuse charges involving multiple teenagers.
Kelly Crotts, 48, has been released from the Lauderdale County Detention Center, according to The Times Daily.
Crotts was sentenced to one month in the detention center as part of his plea agreement in April, with the remaining 11 months suspended for two years.
“He will have to fully comply with (the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act) which requires him to live in a location in compliance with SORNA and approved by the sheriff’s department.”
Lauderdale County District Attorney, Chris Connolly said.
“The community in which he lives will also be notified that he is a sex offender living in their community. Also, any employment he has must be approved by the sheriff’s office and must be in compliance with SORNA requirements.”
For the first year of his probation, Crotts must report to the sheriff’s office every month; after that, he must come in every three months for the rest of his life.
As this Saturday’s graduation draws near, graduation festivities have already begun at the University of Alabama. It serves as a springboard for even greater things for 16-year-old LeAnna Roberts.
Summa cum laude, the top student in her class, will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2023 while wearing more than 12 honors ropes and tassels.
“I’m incredibly thrilled; it hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I’m incredibly thrilled. My family is coming to support me, of course, and they are all very proud of me, Roberts told the Tuscaloosa News.
The Tuscaloosa native is one of the school’s youngest graduates, having graduated when he was far too young to drive or vote. Roberts’ next task is to complete the year-long medical school application process.
According to the school’s website, she stated, “I am currently preparing to take the Medical College Admission Test next month so I can begin the application process for medical schools.
The future orthopedic surgeon candidate is still enrolled at UA with a diploma and an associate’s degree. Following graduation, she plans to enroll in graduate-level classes with a focus on health care.
She plans to graduate from the STEM Path to MBA program in May 2024. The teen’s ultimate goal is to make a positive contribution to the medical industry, with a focus on rural healthcare disparities.
In an interview with WTVM 13, Roberts stated, “I want to become a surgeon to close the gaps in health care for so many people nationally and internationally.”
Roberts has been advancing with distinction since 2021. Due to dual enrollment, she was able to finish high school early, and on the same day she turned 15, she received an associate’s degree in biology from Shelton State Community College as well as her high school diploma from Central High School.
She later transferred to the University of Alabama to complete her bachelor’s degree in pre-medicine.
Roberts stated to WVTM 13 in 2021, “I’ve always chased a challenge because it’s great to do something that other people haven’t.”
Despite being younger than her classmates, Roberts said she has felt right at home at the University of Arizona. Because most people are unaware of the age difference, the 16-year-old considers herself to be a typical student, keeping busy and navigating college life with her peers. She has also never let her age limit or obstruct her efforts to achieve her objectives.
While she is still a teen, Roberts’ frequently demanding schedule does not prevent her from remaining enthusiastic about learning.
“Balance has undoubtedly been the key. I’ve been able to succeed so far by balancing extracurricular activities and remaining focused in class,” she told WVTM 13.
As if she weren’t already an inspiration, the adolescent student eagerly balanced her coursework with community involvement.
Roberts told Local 12 News, “I am a volunteer at Druid City Hospital and have volunteered with Al’s Pals and Vision Days during my two years as an undergraduate student.
In addition, Roberts recently published an abstract on health disparities and literacy in Black Belt communities with Dr. Avani Shah, an associate professor in the UA School of Social Work.
The parental support for Roberts is unwavering despite her unusual matriculation. The accomplishments of their daughter were the source of great pride for parents Lee and Latonya Roberts.
Every day, Mother Latonya looked forward to picking up her intelligent daughter from school and hearing about her day.
“I always enjoyed hearing about her day.” Even though some days were more difficult than others, the proud mother always saw the bright side of things, according to WVTM 13.
LeAnna is grateful for her family’s support in allowing her to achieve her goals.
An Alabama woman is pleading for help for her brother after she received photos of his health deteriorating in state prison.
Kassie Vaughan took to Facebook about her brother, Kastellio Vaughan’s health condition.
“MY BROTHER KASTELLIO VAUGHAN He’s currently an inmate placed at Elmore Correctional Facility. I’m coming to you right now based on my brother’s health. My brother’s health is rapidly declining. As you can see in these photos he is extremely malnourished. In these particular photos he cannot walk nor stand he is weak and vulnerable. My last visitation with my brother was July 24, 2022 he was in good condition. I am not a doctor but his health seems to be deteriorating. I received 2 pictures of him today saying “GET HELP”. I’m asking for you to simply share and get these pictures out this is violating human rights. I don’t see how you cannot get help when a individual is in this state. Tag all news stations please and anybody that can help with this issue. This is urgent and I’m concerned and scared for my brother’s health.”
The Facebook post included very graphic photos of Kastellio health and in one photo his eyes appeared to be rolled back into his head.
Kastellio is serving a 20 year sentence at Elmore Correctional Facility in central Alabama for mulitple convictions of burgalary that includes an unlawful breaking and entering into a vehicle. He was up for parole in June of this year but was denied and he won’t be eligible for parole again until 2027.
“The Alabama Department of Corrections understands there is concern about the welfare of inmate Kastello Demarcus Vaughan,” the ADOC wrote in an email to AL.com.
“He is assigned to Elmore Correctional Facility (CF) but is currently housed at Staton Medical Observation Unit. ADOC’s Office of Health Services has fully investigated his situation from a clinical perspective, and he has been offered all necessary treatment for his condition. Also, he has been in touch with his family to update them on his situation.”
Kassie Vaughan has created a GoFundMe to help her brother get a new lawyer. Click here if you would like to support.
The revival of Pearl Cleage’s rich and beautiful work “Blues for an Alabama Sky” opened Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at Center Theatre Group / Mark Taper Forum and continues through May 8th.
Directed by Center Theatre Group’s Associate Artist and Tony Award-winning actor Phylicia Rashad, this production features Joe Holt, Nija Okoro, Dennis Pearson, Greg Alverez Reid and Kim Steele. Opening night was star studded with Debbie Allen and Norm Nixon, Raven Symoneand Miranda Pearman-Maday, Chante Adams, Cedric Sanders, Anna Maria Horsford, Kiki Shepard, Dawnn Lewis, Angelica Ross, Folake Olowofoykeo, Vivian Nixon and more that attended.
Tickets for “Blues for an Alabama Sky” are currently on sale at Center Theatre Group / Mark Taper Forum and start at $30. They are available through CenterTheatreGroup.org, Audience Services at (213) 628-2772 or in person at the Center Theatre Group Box Office (at the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012). Performances run Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 8 p.m., Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Call for exceptions.
Miss Alabama Zoe Sozo Bethel, 27, a deeply religious beauty pageant contestant and conservative commentator, died Friday in Miami of head injuries that she sustained in a mysterious accident, her family announced on social media.
Zoe suffered “severe damage to her brain/brainstem” and spent more than a week in a coma before passing away. The Daily Mail reported that police officers investigating Bethel’s death believe she tried to commit suicide by jumping off a high-rise condo in Miami, Florida.
Fans have flooded the comment section of the post and have been expressing their sadness of her death. People are currently talking about the legacy she left behind. Zoe Bethel, she is a model ambassador of Liberty University. Zoe was also a reporter for the Right Side Broadcasting Network. She is most known for being Miss Alabama in 2021.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
