Atmore prison guard arrested

An Atmore man who worked as a correctional officer is being held on $1.5 million bond on multiple charges of trying to smuggle drugs and cell phones into Holman Prison in Atmore.

Daniel Jason Melvin, 38, 106 Short St., was arrested last week and charged with trafficking methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana I, attempting to commit a controlled substance crime, attempting to promote prison contraband I and an ethics violation charging him with using his position for personal gain.

According to court records, on or about June 8 near Ross Road, Melvin, who was reporting to work, is accused of possessing 56 grams of methamphetamine. He is also accused of possessing the prescription drug Suboxone, four cell phones, six cell phone chargers and earbuds he is accused of trying to give to inmates, and 64 grams of marijuana.

Records note that once the traffic stop was initiated, Melvin gave consent to search his vehicle, where DOC officers found drugs and contraband.

The Alabama Department of Corrections also announced that a correctional officer in the Montgomery area was arrested June 10. Charlie Townsend was arrested after he confessed to bringing contraband to an inmate and he immediately resigned from his position.

Townsend was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, an ethics violation for using his position for personal gain and promoting prison contraband.

Townsend was jailed on $775,000 bond according to reports received from the Alabama Department of Corrections.

"The presence of illegal drugs is a growing challenge faced by correctional systems across the country," said John Q. Hamm, Alabama DOC commissioner. "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."