Former Sheriff Arrested, Charged with Felony Ethics and Theft

Attorney General Troy King

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Posted by: JSKeppy
Date: Nov 02 2009 10:08 AM

(MONTGOMERY)—Attorney General Troy King announced the arrest of former Coosa County Sheriff Ricky Lovell Owens for multiple charges of felony ethics and theft.  Owens 39, of Kellyton, surrendered late yesterday at the Coosa County Jail and was released on $50,000 bond.

“It is always serious when someone who used to be in law enforcement is accused of wrongdoing, but it is particularly disappointing when a former sheriff faces charges of crimes that involve the abuse of his position and theft of public funds,” said Attorney General King. “My duty to the citizens of Coosa County, and to the State of Alabama, is to thoroughly investigate such cases and where the evidence indicates, to prosecute and deliver justice.”

Attorney General King’s Office presented evidence to a Coosa County grand jury on October 28, resulting in an eight-count indictment*against Owens.  Specifically, the indictment charges that Owens:

·         intentionally used his public position as sheriff for the unlawful personal gain of a check for $1,100;

·         intentionally used his public position as sheriff for the unlawful personal gain of a check for $3,700;

·          intentionally used his public position as sheriff for the unlawful personal gain of a check for $3,200;

·          intentionally used his public position as sheriff for the unlawful personal gain of a check for $3,300;

·         committed first-degree theft of a check valued at more than $2,500, from the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office;

·         again, first-degree theft of a check valued at more than $2,500, from the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office;

·         intentionally used his public position as sheriff for the unlawful personal gain of an unspecified sum of currency; and that he

·         intentionally used his public position as sheriff for the unlawful personal gain of a check for $8, 300.

No further information about the investigation or about Owens’ alleged crimes other than that stated in the indictment may be released at this time.

If convicted, Owens faces a maximum penalty of two to 20 years imprisonment for each count, all of which are class B felonies.

Attorney General King commended Assistant Attorney General Ben Baxley of his Public Corruption and White Collar Crime Division, and Special Agent Steve Pinckard of the Attorney General’s Investigations Division.

 

*An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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