Manhunt in north end of county results in arrest

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By Erica Thomas – 1819News.com

The Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of a man authorities have been searching for since the death of another man on January 27.

Danny Lee Cater was taken into custody at 9:25 a.m. on Sunday, after being on the run in freezing temperatures. Authorities released several images of Cater, who was captured on a doorbell camera and a deer camera during his days on the run.

The search began after a man later identified as Ronald Wayne Waits, 52, was found deceased January 27 inside his home on County Road 2501. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, along with ALEA’s Region G Major Crime Unit out of Birmingham, executed a search warrant and processed the scene as part of the investigation.

Cater had not been charged in relation to Waits’s death as of Tuesday afternoon, but is being questioned as part of that investigation.
Cater is currently being held in the Cleburne County Jail on charges of attempting to elude law enforcement and first-degree theft of property in Cleburne County.

Multiple agencies coordinated in the search, including the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshals Service, 7th Judicial Major Crimes Unit, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Oxford Police Department, Lincoln Police Department, Heflin Police Department, Lineville Police Department and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

“This successful apprehension is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all the officers involved,” said Cleburne County Sheriff Jon Daniel. “We are thankful for the partnership with local, state and federal agencies, as well as the tireless efforts of our officers who worked in extremely cold conditions to bring this operation to a safe conclusion.”

The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office echoed that sentiment in a statement released Tuesday afternoon.
“Officers pushed through rugged terrain and extreme cold, including single-digit wind chills, working tirelessly to bring this situation to a resolution,” the statement read. “The level of cooperation, commitment, and teamwork demonstrated by RCSO deputies and all assisting agencies was truly exceptional.”

According to court documents, Cater’s bond in another case was revoked. Previously, Cater was indicted by a Calhoun County grand jury for assault and third-degree criminal mischief after prosecutors presented evidence that he attacked a man with a machete on June 30, 2024. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges.