City Councilman Devyn Keith is accused of shoplifting groceries and other merchandise, valued at $491.13, from three Walmart stores in Huntsville, according to court records made public today.
The warrants charging Keith with four misdemeanor counts of theft allege the following shoplifting incidents:
- $129.28 worth of groceries and sundry items from the University Drive store on Nov. 14, 2022
- $169.60 worth of groceries and sundry items from the Sparkman Drive store on Nov. 15, 2022
- $169.58 worth of groceries and sundry items from the store at Memorial Parkway and Drake Avenue on Dec. 28, 2022
- $22.67 headphones from the University Drive location on Feb. 2, 2023
Keith is scheduled for an initial appearance on March 15 in Madison County District Judge Patty Demos’ courtroom.
In his first public appearance since his arrests, Keith spoke at the City Council meeting Thursday night and apologized to the community, city employees and his family.
“What you are looking at is the maturing of a man, a tough moment I cannot explain to you,” Keith said.
“I am sorry. To every city employee, every director I’ve had lunch with who move heaven and earth to make difference in my community, I’m sorry. To every police officer that was impacted, every city employee that was impacted by the ripple effects of situations in my life. That’s not in your job description.”
A police report obtained by AL.com says Keith is accused of shoplifting from Walmart stores in the city 31 times since Nov. 14, with at least 15 of those instances captured on video.
“I am also sorry for my family,” Keith said. “I have a mother, a grandmother whose tears I wish I could get back. Sisters, brothers, aunties and uncles. I’m so sorry for the ripple effects that came to your phones, your social media, your doors as well.”
Keith gave no indication he was considering resigning, telling constituents to still feel free to call him if their garbage is late getting picked up or if their street needs to be paved.
Huntsville police first arrested the second-term councilman on a single shoplifting charge on Feb. at the Walmart on University Drive. Because of concerns about a conflict of interest, that initial charge of misdemeanor theft was dismissed in Huntsville City Court, and four new warrants were obtained in Madison County court. A Walmart employee swore out the warrants.
Keith turned himself in to jail early Wednesday morning to face those four charges.
AL.com reporter Paul Gattis contributed to this report.