The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) announced Tuesday that a corrections officer resigned after being arrested on three criminal charges.
Charlie Townsend was working at Kilby Correctional Facility in Montgomery County when agents from the Law Enforcement Services Division (LESD) arrested him on June 10.
Investigators said Townsend confessed to bringing drugs into the prison for an inmate. He is now facing charges of trafficking methamphetamine, use of position for personal gain and second-degree promoting prison contraband.
Court documents show Townsend is suspected of bringing in meth, fentanyl, marijuana, synthetic drugs and pills and planning to sell them.
He was booked into the Montgomery County Detention Center on bonds totaling $775,000.
“The presence of illegal drugs is a growing challenge faced by correctional systems across the country,” said ADOC Commissioner John Hamm. “Criminals go to significant lengths to bypass security systems and introduce drugs and other types of illegal contraband into facilities. The ADOC is committed to enforcing its zero-tolerance policy on contraband, even when it comes to policing our own.”
Townsend resigned from his position upon arrest.
The ADOC Contraband Interdiction Program (CIP) is being credited for the arrest.
“The CIP utilizes cutting-edge search and security technologies in an ongoing effort to control the influx of prison contraband,” ADOC stated in a press release.
ADOC said more charges are possible.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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