DA Opposes Travel Request by Indicted Cullman Business Owner Over AI Generated Letter

CULLMAN, AL. (The Buzz Report) — A former Cullman business owner facing a sweeping 20-count indictment tied to an alleged drug trafficking operation, forgery, and the unlawful practice of medicine is asking a judge to modify the conditions of her bond so she can travel out of state for what her attorney describes as a professional networking event. Prosecutors, however, are urging the court to deny the request, arguing that she poses a flight risk and alleging that documentation submitted in support of the trip appears to be fabricated using artificial intelligence.

The latest dispute in the case centers on Whitney LeAnn Cheatham, 33, of Cullman, who was indicted by a grand jury on Dec. 4, 2025, following a months-long investigation into her business activities.

According to court records, Cheatham’s bond was set at $1.055 million and includes several conditions, one of which prohibits her from leaving the State of Alabama while awaiting trial.

Request to Travel to Tennessee

On July 31, 2026, Cheatham’s attorney filed a motion asking the court to amend her bond conditions to allow her to travel to Nashville, Tennessee, from Aug. 6 through Aug. 10, 2026.

The motion states that Cheatham now works as a content creator and that the trip is necessary for her to attend a professional development and networking summit related to her career.

However, the Cullman County District Attorney’s Office has formally objected to the request.

Prosecutors contend that Cheatham represents a potential flight risk due to the seriousness of the charges she faces and the significant prison time she could receive if convicted.

In court filings opposing the motion, prosecutors also alleged that the letter submitted to verify the event was not authentic, claiming it appeared to have been generated using artificial intelligence rather than issued by a legitimate event organizer. The allegation has added another layer of controversy to an already high-profile criminal case.

As of now, the court has not publicly announced a ruling on Cheatham’s request to travel.

Twenty-Count Indictment

Cheatham was indicted on 20 criminal charges, including multiple felony offenses related to alleged drug trafficking and fraudulent business practices.

The indictment includes:

• Three counts of trafficking an illegal drug
• Four counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance
• One count of attempting to commit a controlled substance crime
• One count of conspiracy to traffic illegal drugs
• One count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance
• One count of attempting to commit a controlled substance trafficking offense
• One count of practicing medicine without a license
• Five counts of fourth-degree forgery

The charges stem from an extensive investigation conducted by law enforcement authorities in Cullman County.

Investigation and Arrests

The investigation resulted in arrest warrants being issued on Aug. 15, 2025, for Whitney Cheatham, who was identified on the business’s website as the owner of a Cullman-area spa.

Cheatham surrendered to authorities on Aug. 16, 2025, one day after the warrants were issued.

Investigators later expanded the case, leading to additional arrests.

Whitney Cheatham’s father, Kelvin Neal Cheatham, was also named in the investigation. Arrest warrants were issued for him, and he surrendered to authorities on Sept. 4, 2025.

Authorities also arrested Kody Ray Smith in connection with the investigation.

Officials have not released complete details outlining each individual’s alleged role in the criminal enterprise, but the investigation has resulted in multiple felony charges against those involved.

Prosecutors Push Back

The prosecution’s latest filing suggests that allowing Cheatham to leave Alabama would create unnecessary risk while criminal proceedings remain pending.

Beyond arguing that she could flee the jurisdiction, prosecutors have raised questions about the credibility of the documentation submitted to justify the trip, alleging that the event invitation or verification letter was not genuine and instead was created using artificial intelligence.

If the court agrees with prosecutors, Cheatham will likely remain prohibited from traveling outside Alabama until the conclusion of her criminal case or until another order is entered by the court.

Case Continues

The criminal proceedings against Cheatham remain ongoing, and no trial date has been announced publicly.

If convicted on the most serious charges, Cheatham could face substantial prison time under Alabama law.

The allegations against Kelvin Neal Cheatham and Kody Ray Smith also remain pending as the broader investigation continues through the judicial process.

The Buzz Report will continue to monitor developments in this case, including any ruling on Cheatham’s request to travel and future court proceedings.