Alabama Prison Warden and Wife Arrested on Drug Charges
An Alabama prison warden and his wife are facing serious legal troubles after being arrested on drug charges in north Alabama. Chadwick Ray Crabtree, 45, and Melissa Kay Crabtree, 55, were taken into custody and booked into the Limestone County Jail on Friday morning, according to jail records.
Warden’s Role and Background
Chad Crabtree currently serves as the warden at Limestone Correctional Facility in Harvest, Alabama. He assumed this position in 2022, succeeding the previous warden upon retirement. With over 20 years of experience in the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC), Chad Crabtree has held various roles within the department.
Arrest Details
Search and arrest warrants were executed at the Crabtree residence on Friday morning. The operation involved personnel from the Alabama Department of Corrections Law Enforcement Services Division, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s SWAT team, and the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office. Both Chad and Melissa were apprehended without any resistance and transported to the Limestone County Jail.
Charges and Legal Actions
Chad Crabtree and Melissa Crabtree are facing charges including second-degree possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, manufacturing of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. As a result of these allegations, Chad Crabtree has been placed on mandatory leave without pay pending further personnel action, as confirmed by ADOC spokeswoman Kelly Betts.
Furthermore, the ADOC Law Enforcement Services Division conducted a search of Chad Crabtree’s office at Limestone, indicating that the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming. Limestone County jail records detail five warrants issued for Chad Crabtree by the sheriff’s office, while Melissa Crabtree is detained on five charges issued by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Conclusion
The arrest of an Alabama prison warden and his wife on drug charges has sent shockwaves through the state’s law enforcement community. As the investigation continues and legal proceedings unfold, the public eagerly awaits further developments in this troubling case.