Former Red Bay chief arrested

By Staff
Jason Houston FCT Managing Editor
Ronald "Reb" Boatwright, former Red Bay Police Chief, and Sandra Hester, former coordinator of the Franklin County District Attorney's Worthless Check Unit, were arrested Monday in Franklin County after being indicted by a grand jury.
The indictments were returned on March 4 by a Franklin County Grand Jury after the group heard evidence presented by investigators from the attorney general's office, according to a press release from Alabama Attorney General Troy King.
Boatwright was indicted on three counts of violating Alabama's ethics law. Hester was indicted for first-degree theft of property and one count of violating state ethics law.
Hester, 45, and Boatwright, 44, both surrendered without incident at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and were both released on bond totaling $10,000 each.
According to Melinda Morgan Austin, a Florence attorney who has represented Hester throughout the investigation, bond was set by Circuit Judge Sharon Hester, who Austin said announced at the bond hearing that she intends to recuse herself from Sandra Hester's case, due to a working relationship between the two.
The charges in the case are all Class B felonies, punishable by 2-20 years in prison upon conviction.
According to King's press release, the indictments charge that Boatwright used his official position to obtain checks or currency, that he used his official position to obtain the services of a city jail inmate for himself or a family member and that he received or solicited "something of value" for himself or a family member in return for a reduction of fines and unauthorized release of the inmate.
Sources said the case involved a city inmate doing some touch-up work to a small tattoo on Boatwright's wife's arm.
Boatwright is being represented by Russellville attorney Jeff Bowling. Bowling was unavailable for comment Tuesday.
Boatwright has more than 24 years of experience in law enforcement. He was chief in Red Bay for almost seven years, before his contract was not renewed in October by the newly-elected city council.
Hester is charged with the theft of more than $2,500 from the Worthless Check Unit. The other charge in the indictment is that Hester used her official position to take money paid to the Check Unit for her personal gain, according to the press release.
Martin said her client intends to enter a "not guilty" plea, but declined further comment until she receives a copy of the indictment.
The case was investigated by the attorney general's public corruption and white-collar crime division and the FBI.