Former Huntsville Police Officer Indicted for Fund Misappropriation

Huntsville, Alabama, September 27, 2025

News Summary

Charles Nathan Nickelson, a former Huntsville police officer, has been indicted for misappropriating over $25,000 from the Huntsville Area Crime Stoppers program. The 60-year-old faces serious charges of using his office for personal gain, a Class B felony carrying a potential sentence of 2 to 20 years in prison. The allegations came to light after discrepancies in the program’s accounting were reported following his retirement. Huntsville Police have referred the case to the Attorney General’s Office for an investigation, with Nickelson currently free on a $10,000 bond.

Huntsville, Alabama – Charles Nathan Nickelson, a former Huntsville police officer, has been indicted for misappropriating funds while coordinating the Huntsville Area Crime Stoppers program. Nickelson, 60, of Madison County, faces one count of using his office for personal gain, a charge classified as a Class B felony that carries a potential sentence of two to 20 years in prison.

The indictment stems from allegations that Nickelson misappropriated all or part of $25,525 that was intended for rewarding credible tipsters who provide information on criminal activities. The discrepancies in the accounting of the Huntsville Area Crime Stoppers account surfaced only after Nickelson’s retirement from the Huntsville Police Department (HPD) in August 2024.

Upon discovering these discrepancies, HPD reported the findings to the Board of Directors of the non-profit organization responsible for managing Crime Stoppers. The issue was subsequently referred to the Attorney General’s Office for an independent investigation.

Nickelson was taken into custody on Thursday. After being booked into the Madison County Jail at 10:04 p.m., he was later released on a $10,000 bond. Current investigations are ongoing, with no additional details provided by either Huntsville Police or the Attorney General’s Office.

During this time, the Huntsville Area Crime Stoppers organization has expressed its commitment to cooperating fully with the Attorney General’s Office throughout the investigation. A board member from the organization, Kerry Straub, pointed out that the accounting department of Crime Stoppers had no involvement in Nickelson’s indictment. The organization is dedicated to maintaining transparency and integrity as this situation continues to develop.

Background Context

The Huntsville Area Crime Stoppers program is a community-oriented initiative designed to assist law enforcement by incentivizing the public to report information about crime anonymously. It is managed by a non-profit organization that relies on donations and funds raised to provide rewards for credible tips that lead to arrests or convictions.

Nickelson’s career with the Huntsville Police Department included working to enhance community safety and tackle crime within the area. However, the recent allegations raise serious concerns regarding trust and the management of funds meant for encouraging public involvement in crime-solving efforts.

The case is currently being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Division, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations against Nickelson and the commitment to lawful governance within public office.

Key Features of the Case

• Indicted Individual: Charles Nathan Nickelson
• Age: 60
• Charge: Misappropriating funds (Class B felony)
• Potential Sentence: 2 to 20 years in prison
• Amount Allegedly Misappropriated: $25,525
• Date of Indictment: Ongoing investigation disclosed after retirement in August 2024
• Bond Amount: $10,000
• Prosecuting Office: Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Division

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Additional Resources

• WAFF: Retired Huntsville Cop Indicted
• ABC3340: Former Crime Stoppers Coordinator Indicted
• AL.com: Former Huntsville Cop Indicted
• Wikipedia: Career Criminal
• Google Search: Huntsville Alabama Crime Stoppers

Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER

The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.