ASHLAND, Ala – An investigation into suspicious activity at an Ashland motel lead authorities to believe there were explosives on site. There were not, but a local man was arrested on multiple criminal offenses.
Joseph Blancher was arrested at the Country Inn Motel, where the Clay County Sheriff’s Office found materials they believed to be explosives. The building was evacuated and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Bomb Squad was called in to investigate.
After a thorough investigation, the bomb squad determined that the materials posed no danger to the public, they did find illegal drugs, paraphernalia, a working still, and untaxed illegal alcohol, for which Blancher was charged.
The Ashland Police Department and the Lineville Police Department assisted with this investigation.
