Limestone Co. Sheriff’s Office: Violent felon arrested with weapon, stolen identities in multi-state fraud case
Keonta Demarius Cottingham
LIMESTONE COUNTY – According to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, a Birmingham man with a violent criminal history was arrested after detectives linked him to a multi-state identity theft and fraud case originating in Vermont.
Detectives with the Williston Police Department in Vermont contacted Captain Caleb Durden of the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office regarding a financial fraud investigation involving a local Vermont business.
The business had its banking information stolen, and fraudulent checks were deposited using a stolen identity. The suspect was tracked to Limestone County, Alabama.
Limestone deputies responded to a call at the suspect’s location and conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle leaving the scene. The driver, later identified as Keonta Demarius Cottingham, 27, of Birmingham, was found to be in possession of an AR-15 pistol in the passenger seat. Probable cause led investigators to search the vehicle, where they recovered multiple stolen identities, including the one used in the Vermont case.
Cottingham informed investigators of his violent criminal background, which includes previous charges of attempted murder, robbery, and shooting into occupied buildings. He is currently on probation from prior convictions.
Cottingham was arrested and charged with: Trafficking in Stolen Identities, Identity Theft and Possession of a Pistol by a Violent Felon.
The case remains under active investigation, and additional charges are anticipated, officials stated.
“The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office appreciates Sergeant Bart Chamberlain of the Williston Police Department’s collaboration in identifying and tracking this suspect. Thanks also to our deputies and investigators who acted quickly and thoroughly to stop this individual.”
“As our community continues to grow, we remind all residents that if you see something, say something,” said Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin. “Together, we can continue to protect our neighborhoods from dangerous individuals and criminal activity.”
