By Carol Robinson
al.com
ATMORE, Ala. — Two people are charged after authorities say they tried to smuggle bolt cutters, night-vision equipment, knives and more into an Alabama prison.
Natalia Ridgeway, 24, and Charles Xavier Marshall, a 46-year-old former ADOC inmate, are charged with attempting to promote prison contraband. Both suspects live in Mobile.
Prison officials said there were two young children in the car with the suspects at the time the alleged crime took place.
Ridgeway and Marshall were arrested Sunday, Dec. 3 , at Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore.
Authorities said a suspicious vehicle had been reported and correctional staff requested prison dogs for assistance.
When the K-9 units arrived, correctional staff had already stopped the vehicle and detained driver Ridgeway and passenger Marshall.
The recovered contraband included 17 cell phones, a pre-paid cell phone card, a pair of wire cutters, black clothing, a night vision monocular, a large hunting knife, a used syringe, phone chargers, two throwing knives and one regular knife.
Both suspects booked into the Escambia County Detention Facility in Brewton.
The investigation is ongoing and further charges may be added.
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