DA: Madison man received meth by FedEx, arrested on drug charges

MADISON – A Madison man was behind bars after the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant last week that led to the seizure of approximately 1 pound of methamphetamine and multiple firearms, authorities said.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, its Narcotics Unit — assisted by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and the FBI North Alabama Safe Streets Task Force — conducted a coordinated operation. Investigators executed the warrant at a residence in the 14000 block of Cheyenne Drive.

As a result of the investigation, Daniel Frankie Taitano Jr., 50, of Madison, was charged with drug trafficking and remained in custody at the Limestone County Jail on Friday. Bond has not been set. Taitano was driving a 2018 Infiniti Q70 four-door sedan at the time of the arrest, and the District Attorney’s Office has filed a forfeiture complaint to take the vehicle “for law enforcement purposes.” According to the complaint by District Attorney Brian Jones, “Taitano admitted using the Infiniti to pick up methamphetamine shipped via Federal Express.”

Stephen Thomas Bledsoe, 56, of Athens, and Crystal Ann Murphy, 45, of Athens, were each charged with possession of a controlled substance and chemical endangerment of a child. Both were released from the Limestone County Jail after posting $2,500 bonds.