FLORENCE-The Florence Police Department released the name of the victim in Thursday night’s homicide in a press conference today, Friday, July 20..
The victim in the homicide that took place on Thursday, July 19 has been identified as Jason Shawn Allan, a 45 year old white male from Iowa who had recently come to Florence. Allan died from knife wounds after being transported to ECM.
Florence Police also issued statements in two other high profile cases that they have been working on:
“Suspect: James M. Rickard, 25 Child Abuse
James M. Rickard
Earlier this week detectives with the Florence Police Department were approached by a community member regarding an incident between an adult and child. The allegations involved the adult enticing the child, a 10 year old female, to disrobe and enter a swimming area with the adult. Detectives with the Florence Police Department opened an investigation into the incident. The investigation led detectives to issue warrants against James M. Rickard, a 25 year old male from Florence. Rickard is charged with Traveling To Meet A Child For An Unlawful Sex Act, a class A felony. Alabama law states that a person is guilty of this crime if they, “travel either within this state, to this state, or from this state by any means, who attempts to do so, or who knowingly causes another to do so or to attempt to do so for the purpose of engaging in any unlawful sex act with a child, including sexual intercourse, sodomy, a sexual performance, obscene sexual performance, or other sexual conduct for his or her benefit or for the benefit of another.” The evidence in this case shows that Mr. Rickard transported the victim to a location prior to the onset of unlawful sexual conduct. Mr. Rickard is also charged with Child Abuse, a Class C Felony. Mr. Rickard surrendered to police without incident and was booked in the Lauderdale County Detention Center. He was released on bond totaling $55,000 dollars.”
“Suspect: Chance T. Crossett, 24 Burglary
Chance T. Crossett
Over the last several weeks the Florence Police Department has responded to multiple vehicle and residential burglary along CR 47, Middle Road, and Highway 72. These cases involve both forced and non-forced entry to vehicles and garages. On July 19, 2018, officers with the Florence Police Department responded to a suspicious vehicle in the area of Brookdale Assisted Living. Officers responded to the area and located the suspicious vehicle unoccupied. After a short time officers made contact with Mr. Chance T. Crossett, a 24 year old white male from Tuscumbia. During the course of the contact officers located a firearm in Mr. Crossett’s possession. Additional officers responded to the area and located several burglarized vehicles in the Cedar Park community which is adjacent to Brookdale Assisted Living. The gun in Mr. Crossett’s possession was found to be stolen from one of those burglaries. Mr. Crossett was arrested and booked into the Lauderdale County Detention Center. Following Mr. Crossett’s arrest, Detectives with the Florence Police Department executed a search warrant at Mr. Crossett’s residence in Tuscumbia. Addition evidence of burglaries was located as well as multiple stolen firearms. The evidence located ties Mr. Crossett to additional crimes in Florence, Lauderdale County, Colbert County, Muscle Shoals, and Tuscumbia. Additional charges in these cases are pending. He is currently charged with Unlawful Possession of Burglar Tools, Unlawful Possession of a Pistol Without a Permit, Theft of Property 2nd, and Burglary 3rd. Mr. Crossett is being held on bond totaling $5,500.”
