Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
7:57 am Tuesday, February 12, 2008

County officer arrested on drug charges

By Staff
Melissa Cason
A Franklin County corrections officer has been arrested and charged with promoting prison contraband after allegedly supplying an inmate with prescription drugs at the Franklin County Jail.
Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott said Joshua Earl Ridge, 24, of 503 McCarthy Drive, Red Bay, was charged with two counts of second-degree promoting prison contraband and two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance after helping an inmate, Douglas Alton Vincent, 49, of 82 Franklin 56, Russellville, obtain prescription medication.
Plott said Ridge allegedly took Vincent, who had a prescription for hydrocodone, to the pharmacy to have the prescription filled, and took possession of the medication for Vincent in order to get the pills into the jail.
In return, Ridge was to get some of the medication for his own personal use.
"Mr. Ridge had been employed with us for three to four months," Plott said. "He had no previous criminal background at the time of his hire."
Plott said the department began investigating Ridge after being notified that a corrections officer could be involved with getting drugs inside the jail.
"It's unfortunate these things happen, but it shows the public that we police our own people," Plott said. "We have policies and procedures and when they are not followed there will be consequences because they know better."
Second-degree promoting prison contraband and unlawful possession of a controlled substance are both Class C felonies, which are punishable with one year and one day to 10 years in prison, if convicted.
Ridge was released on $5,000 bond while Vincent remains in the Franklin County Jail.

Also on Franklin County Times
Bill would eliminate YO status in cases of murder
Franklin County, Main, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
MONTGOMERY — A local state representative has pre-filed a bill that would prevent someone 16 or older who is charged with murder or capital murder fro...
Strickland takes council seat after Trulove’s withdrawal
Main, News, Red Bay
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 10, 2025
RED BAY — Jonathan Strickland has been declared the next Place 3 memberof theRedBayCity Council after incumbent Herbert Trulove withdrew from the Sept...
School threats are no joking matter
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — The saddest thing about the Sept. 3 bomb threat at Phil Campbell High School is the lasting impact the hoax will have on the life of t...
Ambassadors program gives students taste of leadership
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 10, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE --the Ambassadors program at Tharptown Elementary is giving students an introduction to leadership. The program gives elected fifth and s...
Book Lovers Club to host violence awareness program
Columnists, Opinion, Russellville
HERE AND NOW
“We look forward to expanding our knowledge of the issues while engaging members and communities to unite in addressing this pervasive societal epidemic.”
September 10, 2025
The GFWC Book Lovers Study Club will host an awareness session about domestic and sexual violence at 2 p.m. on Sept. 20 at Russellville First Methodis...
Opinion: SPACECOM headquarters should be in Huntsville
Columnists, Opinion
September 10, 2025
After years of political wrangling, President Trump is bringing Space Command (SPACECOM) headquarters back to its rightful home in Huntsville. This wa...
Space Command could boost region’s economy
News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
FLORENCE—Northwest Alabama officials said the Sept. 3 announcement that the U.S. Space Command will be moved to Huntsville could boost local economies...
RHS volleyball team pushes record to 17-5
High School Sports, News, Russellville Golden Tigers, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
September 10, 2025
The busy week for the Russellville volleyball team was highlighted by a home match against county rival Phil Campbell, the first area match of the sea...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *