ATHENS, Ala. — A Limestone County Grand Jury has returned a five-count indictment against 18-year-old Carson Albert Butler, charging him with terrorism, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with an alleged plot against Athens High School.

The true bill alleges that Butler engaged in plans not only to intimidate others, but to cause the death of multiple individuals.

FOX54 has confirmed that all 11 of the individuals listed as named targets are police officers who serve as SROs.

Serious Charges Filed

The indictment lists five Class A felony charges against Butler:

• One count of Terrorism: Alleging intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or government unit.
• Two counts of Attempted Murder: Involving overt acts toward the commission of murder.
• Two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Murder: Alleging agreements with others to engage in conduct necessary to commit murder.

Circuit Court Judge Matthew designated the bail status as "No Bond."

Specific Targets and Online Groups

According to the court documents, Count 2 of the indictment accuses Butler of attempting to intentionally cause the death of 11 specific individuals.

Furthermore, Count 5 specifically charges Butler with attempting to cause the death of "students, and/or faculty, and/or staff of Athens High School."

The conspiracy charges (Counts 3 and 4) allege that Butler "willfully and knowingly" agreed with various individuals and groups to carry out these acts. The indictment lists several alleged co-conspirators and entities, including:

• "764" and "8054181698 Datura"
• "No Lives Matter" and "NLM groups"
• "MKU groups" and "MKY group"
• Individuals using aliases such as "antichrist," "klassk," and "maxoblivion"

"No Lives Matter" (or "NLM") is an online association of individuals with a common interest in violent rhetoric and extremist activity. New Jersey's Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness defines its central ideology as a focus on crushing societal standards through targeted attacks, mass killings, and terror against "mundane" individuals.

"764" appears to reference a network of online communities that espouses violence and has been associated with child sex abuse material and other criminal activities.

"MKU" and "MKY" tie to a neo-Nazi accelerationist network. Accelerationism is an ideology within some segments of the white supremacist movement that promotes violent actions and sabotage.

The Investigation

Athens police said Butler has been in custody since June, when the then-17-year-old allegedly made a threat online against Athens High School’s students, faculty and school resource officers.

Athens Police notified school officials since there were school activities planned at some campuses over the summer. Chief Anthony Pressnell said the department also provided additional officers, in uniform and undercover, at campus events.

“Superintendent Beth Patton and school system staff stayed in constant communication with us and worked well with us to maintain school safety,” Pressnell said.

Based on FBI information, Athens Police investigators identified Butler as the suspect and assisted the FBI in locating him.

Pressnell said Butler previously attended Athens High but was not a student when the threats were made.

The department declined requests for an on-camera interview.

Prosecution

The case is being prosecuted by District Attorney Brian C. T. Jones of the 39th Judicial Circuit.

FOX54 has learned that an initial appearance set for Friday has been pushed to the morning of Dec. 10.

Reaction

Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks told FOX54 on Thursday he was aware of the investigation.

"Thank God (the police) were there," he said. "I hope this young person and their family get the help that they need and that justice is served."

School Statement

Athens City Schools provided the following statement on the matter:

Law enforcement officials have informed us that, following an extensive investigation conducted by multiple agencies, a former student has been identified and is in custody in connection with an online threat of mass violence targeting Athens High School. First and foremost, we want to assure you that the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. The individual has been in custody, and there is no active or ongoing threat to our students, staff, or campus. Threats of violence to any school are entirely unacceptable, and we are deeply grateful to our law enforcement partners for their dedication, vigilance, and thorough response. While we continue to learn more about the circumstances surrounding this event, please note that it is an active and ongoing legal matter, and we are unable to provide further details or comments at this time. As always, we will continue to prioritize the safety of everyone in our school community.

– Beth Patton, Superintendent, Athens City Schools

HARTSELLE, Ala. — A Hartselle mother and stepfather were convicted Friday of aggravated child abuse of a child under six years of age following a week-long trial in Morgan County Circuit Court.

Hannah Campbell and her husband, Lance Campbell, were found guilty by a jury that deliberated for less than an hour, concluding a matter that dates back more than four years.

On May 30, 2021, Hannah Campbell brought her three-year-old child to the emergency room at the Parkway campus of Decatur Morgan Hospital, claiming the child had fallen down three steps and landed on concrete.

Medical staff became suspicious, as the child's injuries did not appear consistent with the mother's explanation. A nurse practitioner discovered makeup on the child's face, neck and arm.

Once removed, the makeup revealed multiple bruises covering the child's body.

Hospital staff notified Morgan County DHR, and the child was transferred to Children's of Alabama in Birmingham. Medical professionals determined the child had suffered serious, life-threatening internal injuries, including a lacerated pancreas and liver. The child required surgery and remained hospitalized for nearly a month.

The Hartselle Police Department launched an investigation led by Investigator Tania Burgess. During interviews, both Hannah and Lance Campbell initially gave false statements to hospital staff, the Department of Human Resources, and police about how the child sustained the injuries.

Lance Campbell later admitted he was home with the child when the injuries occurred. Both defendants were then arrested for aggravated child abuse.

All children in the home were removed in 2021 and placed in the custody of a relative.

"The law doesn't require perfection in our parenting, but it does require decency," Assistant District Attorney Kelly Cimino said said of the case. "The actions of Hannah and Lance Campbell fell well below that standard, and the jury held them accountable."

Assistant District Attorney Courtney Schellack added: "This child suffered life-threatening injuries at the hands of the Campbells. Instead of getting help, the Campbells waited a day before seeking medical attention. Before taking their three-year-old to the hospital, they made her sit in tremendous pain as her bruises were covered by makeup. They have spent every second worried about themselves. The jury saw through the excuses and gave that baby the justice she deserves."

Both defendants are being held in the Morgan County Jail pending sentencing, which is set for Feb. 11, 2026. They face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — As holiday shopping enters its final stretch, the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama is warning consumers about the top 12 scams threatening to steal both money and personal information from unsuspecting shoppers.

With time running out to complete holiday shopping lists, scammers are working overtime to exploit the seasonal rush. The Better Business Bureau of North Alabama has released its annual "Naughty List" highlighting the most prevalent holiday scams consumers should watch out for.

"The holidays are a prime time for scammers, which is why BBB is sharing our '12 Scams of the Holidays' to help families stay protected," said Karen Reeves, President and CEO of BBB North Alabama. "We want consumers to slow down, verify businesses and charities, and be cautious of unsolicited links and offers that seem too good to be true. A few extra steps can prevent a lot of heartache."

Reeves highlighted the importance of reporting scams through the BBB Scam Tracker to help warn other consumers. The organization's 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report revealed troubling trends, including online purchase scams ranking as the fourth riskiest scam reported by consumers this year, while employment scams topped the list for people ages 18-34.

The 12 Scams of the Holidays

1. Misleading Social Media Ads

Scrolling through your social media feed reveals countless product advertisements, but not all are legitimate. BBB Scam Tracker receives daily reports about social media shopping gone wrong.

• Consumers pay for items they never receive
• Unauthorized monthly charges for "free trials" they never signed up for
• Counterfeit or drastically different products than advertised
• Online purchase scams ranked as the fourth riskiest scam in 2024

Protection tip: Check business profiles on BBB.org and read reviews before ordering.

2. Social Media Gift Exchanges

These schemes resurface every holiday season with new variations, from "Secret Sister" to wine exchanges, bourbon swaps, and even "Secret Santa Dog" for pet gifts.

• Participants unknowingly share personal information about themselves, family, and friends
• Victims are tricked into buying and shipping gifts or money to strangers
• These arrangements constitute illegal pyramid schemes
• The "pay it forward" version asks for email submissions to send money to strangers

Protection tip: Stick to buying gifts from trustworthy businesses and verify them on BBB.org.

3. Holiday Apps

Apple's App Store and Google Play feature dozens of holiday-themed apps for children, from video chatting with Santa to tracking his sleigh on Christmas Eve.

• Free apps can contain excessive advertising
• Some free apps may contain malware
• Apps may collect personal information from children

Protection tip: Review privacy policies, read app reviews, and consider paid apps over free ones for better security.

4. Fake Toll Collection Texts

Planning a long-distance drive for the holidays? Watch out for fraudulent road toll texts that have surged this year.

• Scammers impersonate state road tollway collection services
• Texts claim you owe toll fees with links to make payment
• Links lead to phishing sites designed to steal payment information

Protection tip: Never click links in unsolicited texts. Verify any outstanding toll balances directly with the legitimate agency.

5. Free Gift Cards

The word "FREE" brings holiday cheer, which scammers exploit through bulk phishing emails and deceptive messages.

• Emails request personal information to receive free gift cards
• Scammers impersonate legitimate companies claiming to reward loyal customers
• Pop-up ads and text messages claim you've won random prize selections

Protection tip: Mark unsolicited gift card emails as spam and delete them. Never click links in these messages.

6. Temporary Holiday Jobs

Employment scams were identified as the number one riskiest scam for people ages 18-34 in 2024, particularly during the holiday hiring season.

• Fake job postings target seasonal workers for retailers and delivery services
• Scammers steal money and personal information from job applicants
• Opportunities that seem too good to be true usually are

Protection tip: Research employers thoroughly and never pay upfront fees for job opportunities.

7. Imposter Scams

Impostor scams take many forms during the holiday season when online shopping and returns peak.

• Fake look-alike websites trick people into downloading malware
• Dead-end purchases that never deliver products
• Fake social media accounts posing as customer service representatives
• Sites designed to steal private information

Protection tip: Go to the business's official website to find legitimate social media handles and contact information.

8. Fake Charities

The final weeks of the year see a surge in charitable donations, which scammers exploit through fraudulent organizations.

• Scammers create fake charities or impersonate legitimate ones
• Some pose as individuals in need
• High-pressure tactics push for immediate donations

Protection tip: Avoid impromptu donation decisions. Verify charities at BBB's Give.org and donate through official websites using credit cards.

9. Fake Shipping Notifications

Increased online shopping leads to more shipping notifications, which scammers use to send phishing messages.

• Fake emails and texts about package deliveries with malicious links
• Links may download malware or steal private information
• Scams requesting payment for new or additional shipping fees

Protection tip: Never click links in unexpected messages. Use the original confirmation from the retailer to track packages.

10. Advent Calendars

The growing advent calendar market has attracted scammers advertising popular calendars on social media.

• Products never delivered despite payment
• Inferior quality products received
• Incomplete orders or missing items
• CNN lists over 20 different calendar types now available

Protection tip: Research sellers before purchasing, read reviews, and check BBB.org. Review BBB's shopper's guide for buying specialty advent calendars.

11. Holiday Wishlist Items

Popular items in high demand attract counterfeiters and scammers, particularly for toys and luxury goods.

• Low-priced luxury goods, jewelry, and designer clothing are typically cheap counterfeits
• Popular 2025 toys include: Toys Magnet Cube, Klutz Lego Gravity Drop Activity Kit, Easy Bake Ultimate Electric Oven Toy, and Ms. Rachel Emotions Learning Doll
• Resellers on Facebook Marketplace and similar platforms may sell fakes

Protection tip: Be cautious when purchasing high-demand toys from resellers. If prices seem too good to be true, they probably are.

12. Puppy Scams

Families considering adding a pet this holiday season face significant risks when searching online.

• Experts estimate 80% of sponsored pet advertisements may be fake
• Would-be pet owners lose money to non-existent animals
• Photos often stolen from legitimate breeders

Protection tip: Always see the pet in person before making a purchase. Never wire money or send gift cards for deposits.

How to Protect Yourself This Holiday Season

• Slow down and verify businesses before making purchases
• Check business profiles on BBB.org and read customer reviews
• Be cautious of unsolicited links and offers that seem too good to be true
• Never click links in unexpected emails or text messages
• Use credit cards for online purchases for better fraud protection
• Report scams to BBB Scam Tracker to warn other consumers
• Research charities at Give.org before donating
• Verify legitimate websites and social media accounts

The Better Business Bureau urges anyone who encounters a scam to report it to BBB Scam Tracker. These reports help the organization identify trends, warn other consumers, and provide valuable data to law enforcement agencies working to combat fraud.