By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
A state corrections officer remained in the county jail under a $1.5 million bond this week after he was caught trying to smuggle more than a pound of marijuana and more than a half-pound of methamphetamine into Fountain Correctional Facility.
According to arrest reports, 32-year-old Robert Obrien Rivers of Monroeville was taken into custody March 27 by Alabama Department of Corrections investigators when he reported to work at the state penal institution.
“Basic Correctional Officer Robert Rivers was arrested by the ADOC’s Law Enforcement Services Division at G.K. Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore …on charges of trafficking methamphetamine, first-degree possession of marijuana, prohibited activity and attempt to commit a controlled substance crime,” ADOC spokesperson Kristi Simpson said.
Rivers reportedly was in possession of 510 grams of pot, 244 grams of meth and a “mixture containing 28 grams or more of methamphetamine” that authorities said the officer had planned to deliver to an unidentified inmate. He also had a cell phone that was reportedly intended for the inmate.
According to the Escambia County Detention Center website, Rivers is charged with one count each of trafficking in a controlled substance, first-degree possession of marijuana, attempting to commit a controlled substance crime and being “an inmate in possession of a cell phone.”
The ADOC spokesperson said the agency will continue to enforce its policy prohibiting the introduction of any contraband into state prisons.
“The ADOC is committed to enforcing its zero-tolerance contraband policy,” she said. “Any individual who is discovered to be in possession of or promoting contraband within our facilities will be arrested and referred for prosecution.
Rivers was also booked into the jail on November 12, 2020. No information was provided as to what charges were lodged against him at that time.
“Due to the nature of the ongoing investigation into Rivers’ activities, we cannot provide additional information at this time,” Simpson said.