Media

“American Idol” Stars Facing Charges

Release Date: January 19, 2006

Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies continue their search today for a South-East Shelby County man wanted on criminal charges who appeared as a musical star on the “American Idol” show that aired on the Fox Television Network on January 17, 2006.

Deputies with the Shelby County Fugitive Division received a tip that Derrell Brittenum, 28, who lives in South-East Shelby County, was wanted on Forgery charges that were filed last year by law enforcement authorities in Rockdale County, Georgia.

Derrell Brittenum had appeared on “American Idol” along with his twin brother, Terrell, who at the time the show aired on January 17, was himself an inmate at the Shelby County Jail.

Derrell Brittenum	Terrell Brittenum

Terrell Brittenum had already been arrested on January 10, 2006, by Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies in connection with the forgery case in Georgia.

According to the arrest warrant, the brothers allegedly gave false information on June 3, 2005, to purchase a car in Rockdale County, Georgia.

The twins face charges of Forgery in the First Degree and Theft by Deception/Financial Identify Fraud.

An extradition hearing regarding Terrell Brittenum’s return to Georgia has not been scheduled.