Man apprehended on meth charges
A local man that authorities have been searching for more than three months for was finally apprehended this week at his wife’s home in Russellville.
Douglas Allen Cole, 32, 501 Washington Ave. SW, Russellville, was arrested on a total of 21 charges related to manufacturing methamphetamine including 12 counts of second-degree manufacturing a controlled substance and nine counts of first-degree manufacturing a controlled substance.
According to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver, the Franklin County Drug Unit had been searching for Cole since May 15 when officers connected him to meth labs found at two separate locations.
Officers said 12 of the meth labs were discovered at Cole’s residence in downtown Russellville and the other nine meth labs were discovered at a residence on Franklin 624 near West Lawrence Street in Russellville.
Investigators with the Drug Unit, in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, were able to track Cole to his wife’s residence in downtown Russellville on Tuesday where he was eventually apprehended and taken into custody.
Cole’s wife, Vonda Joan Cole, 35, 501 Washington Ave. SW, Russellville, was arrested on first-degree hindering prosecution charges for helping her husband evade law enforcement.
Douglas Cole is currently in custody on a $10,000 bond. Vonda Cole was released on a $2,000 bond.
