Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office Lead A Joint Operation To Combat child Exploitation Results In Six Arrests.

FLORENCE-Between August 28th and 29th 2026, multiple law enforcement agencies conducted a joint operation in Lauderdale County targeting adults attempting to engage in unlawful sexual activity with children.

The operation focused on adults who were willing to, and/or did, travel to Lauderdale County near Florence with the intent to meet children for unlawful sexual acts.

At the conclusion of the operation, six individuals had been arrested. Firearms were also seized from four of the individuals arrested.

The investigation was conducted through a coordinated effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies. The operation underscores the continued commitment of local, state and federal law enforcement to protecting children and holding individuals accountable when they attempt to exploit or endanger them.

Agencies assisting in the operation were:

Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office

Lauderdale County District Attorney’s Office

Florence Police Department

FBI – Birmingham

West Alabama Intercept Task Force

Arrested and Charged:

Charles Steve Druckemiller, 44, Clearwater, FL.

• Human Trafficking 1st

• Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act

Bond: No bond, pending Aniah’s Law hearing

Kirk Joel Berryman, 61, Tuscumbia, AL

• Human Trafficking 1st

• Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act

Bond: No bond, pending Aniah’s Law hearing

Christopher Martin Elmore, 37, Waterloo, AL

• Human Trafficking 1st

• Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act

Bond: No bond, pending Aniah’s Law hearing

Christopher Blake Hall, 51, Florence, AL

• Human Trafficking 1st

• Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act

Bond: No bond, pending Aniah’s Law hearing

Justin Lee Pace, 38, Florence, AL

• Human Trafficking 1st

• Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act

Bond: No bond, pending Aniah’s Law hearing

William Riley Hughes, 34, Florence, AL

• Solicitation of Prostitution

Bond: $500

“The safety and welfare of our children is one of my highest priorities. There is no place in this county for anyone who would seek to harm them. This operation should serve as a stark warning: if someone attempts to target one of our children, establish an illicit relationship with them, or travel here with the intent of meeting them, they will be met with swift justice.

I would especially like to thank the dedicated investigators of the Sheriff’s Office, the Florence Police Department, the FBI Birmingham Division, the Lauderdale County District Attorney’s Office, and the West Alabama Intercept Task Force for their exceptional performance and tireless dedication in making this operation a success. Their professionalism, commitment, and determination to protect our children are to be commended.”