Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 4:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hahah what a dufus!

Posted by proud_us_citizen (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 6 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A definite "Here's Your Sign" moment.

Posted by justice (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

he was drunk but let go to drive again there is "here's your sign"

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

justice.... I think he probably stayed the required time.Uh they couldn't keep him forever,you know.

Posted by lishad (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok, let me get this straight??? This fool was arrested, booked into jail, sat his "sober up time" posted out, and went to the court house to get his "permission" to go where I assume was back home. Am I reading it correctly to this point?? Was he DRESSED when he went to jail the first time? He's not from Covington County, he had to go to the court house to get permission to go home, so he didn't go home and change clothes when he was released, which leads me to my question...how in the world did he come into contact with law enforcement, get arrested, ride to jail, get booked INTO jail, get released, and ONLY when he went to court house to get paperwork did someone notice the pill in his pocket???? And only when HE apparently accidently pulled it out of his OWN pocket??? Does no one else see a problem here???? And for that matter, how did a guard at a security desk only briefly seeing something as small as a pill know just by glimpsing at it that is was PERSCRIPTION and not just an over the counter asprin or cold pill? (without actually TESTING the pill) And I guess I'm a little concerned as to how or why anyone decided that it was ok to confiscate this one lonely pill TO test it! I'm not in ANY WAY advocating the use of illeagle drugs. I am however concerned with the errosion of what USED to be our civil rights. Just doesn't seem quite right that someone briefly remove a pill from their pocket and the LAW decide to take it from them arrest them on the suspicion (and thats all it could have been is suspicion as the pill had not been tested at that point) that it is illeagle and throw them in jail! First of all, and I admit I could be wrong here, but I thought that we were supposed to be innocent until proven guilty? Following that assertion, one would think that you would give the person the benefit of the doubt that if they are removing voluntarily a pill from their pocket at the court house for a security check that the pill is probably innocent. What gave them any reason to take the pill away from the man in the first place?? And why did no one find it during the whole incaration process?? Just wondering???

Posted by bamagirl78 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

lishad, I like your style!! this place around here is CRAZY!!

Posted by sadshoper (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

lishad, you beat me to the comment. I totally agree with you! What if the pill was something he needed to stay alive??? How did the officer at the court house know just by looking at the pill, that a prescription was required to possess it???? But......my main question is: Why wasn't, at the time of his first arrest, the pill not found. I guess it's a good thing the "pill" wasn't a knife or a gun. But, to be fair, I guess he could have had the pill in his car. After he bonded out he could have put it in his pocket.... In that case, What a dumb bunny.......

Posted by nwcorner (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with lishad, why didn't they find this pill bottle when he was arrested? And they wonder how drugs get into our jails...

Posted by bluesclues (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

He probably took the rest of them while he was BEHIND bars of the CCJ...shows about how much of a security check they do , he had to have had it on him( or more) Deputys and Guards missed something ONCE AGAIN...good going guys, keep on like that you bound to make Nancy Grace someday soon.

Posted by harts0002 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at noon (Suggest removal)

Okay, let me pick lishad's little post apart and explain this to all of you like a bunch of 3rd graders. (Some 3rd greaders probably could have figured this out themselves though) Yes, I am sure that the man was dressed when he went to jail the first time. (Duh) As for how the pill got into his pocket and noone at the jail found it, it states in the article that he went to the court house LATER (which is the key word! It is not like he was escorted there.)after he was bonded out. Just because he was not from Covington County does not mean that he does not know someone from here. So at any time after he left the CCJ he could have stopped at a friends or one of his regular dealers house and bought that pill that he was carrying in his pocket. (Can't believe ya'll didn't think of that one!!!) Also, nowhere in the article does it state that the guard only saw the pill BRIEFLY! He had to empty his pockets before going up and (Oh NO) there was the pill laying on the counter. Now, for the REALLY stupid part!!!! LEO's are trained to recognize different types of pills by their markings, size and shape. (If you have never noticed, they all have different letters and numbers on them so that you can tell what they are.) Which is, I am sure, how he knew it was a prescription pill. You do not have to test them to know what they are!!! (Here is your sign!!!) Now, when the guy was asked if he had a prescription I am sure that he stated no because he knew he could not produce one. Now, as far as Illegal drugs(prescriptions), the State law is that they have to be in a prescription bottle or the original packaging with your name on it for you to be able to carry them with you. Usually, if the pill is just in a pocket, it does not belong to you, you either bought it off of Joe Blow or he gave it to you to try, which is Illegal!!!! Just as we have rights people, we also have laws and if you break the law, you will go to jail!!!! BTW, please always remember what they say about the word ASSume!!! You might want to read up on your laws and put a little more thought into the articles that are written before you get on here any ASSume in front of the whole county that you know what you are talking about!! Thank you and I hope you all have a blessed day. THANK YOU to all of the LEO's that are attempting to keep all of the Illegal drugs off of our streets and out of the hands of our children and for putting your A** on the line for us day in and day out!!

Posted by starnewsreader (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, Looks like "harts0002" got a bee in their bonnet. I bet he-she is a LEO? Since he-she is so well versed in the Law. Looks like lishad struck a cord. Might be that harts002 was the LEO that missed the pill in th search at the CCJ???

Posted by harts0002 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No starnewsreader I am not a LEO, but I do have a BS in Criminal Justice and enough common sense to look at the whole picture and do a little research on things before I get on a public sight and make a fool of myself.

Posted by walnutwilly (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well said, harts0002. Thats exactly what I was thinking while reading lishad's comment.

Posted by starnewsreader (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry to say harts0002 but the way I see it ,you are the one making a fool of themselves by getting on here and trying to put down other people post. But, You do have the BS in Criminal Justice, so I guess that make you better in the, BS department.

Posted by hammer1 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I totally agree with you hart0002. Thank You Law Enfocement Officers. Even if they are going to plead it to JAY WALKING LOL

Posted by waterboy (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To harts0002:

+1 ...very good!

Posted by harts0002 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know starnewsreader, I am not putting down anyones post, I am simply stating facts and actually making intellegent comments to an article that I have read. As far as putting down someones post, what on here have you posted that has had anything to do with the actual article??? Nothing, all you have done is come on and attack my post. So speaking of the BS Dept., you must be the head of it because it seems that is all you can talk. Thank you Walnutwilly and hammer1. I do agree with you hammer1 about the Jay walking, but sadly, that is not in the hands of our LEO's, that is up to the DA.

Posted by harts0002 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you waterboy!!!

Posted by BamaRose61 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you harts0002 for your post that explains how the guard knew the pill was prescription meds. And the laws that go along with having a controlled substance in your possession that is not yours. Some people just love to tear down our sheriff and staff and your post was well though out and intelligent. Thanks to our LEO's that do the best they can with the resources they have to try to keep drugs off the street and out of our schools. What is to say that the fool didn't get it from whom ever came to bond him out of jail?

Posted by starnewsreader (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No, your right, I haven't posted anything about the article. and don't intend to. But........you did call all of us other posters, and I Quote: " a bunch of 3rd graders". So yes, I do think your putting others down........
That's all the energy I'm expelling on this. Have a good day!

Posted by harts0002 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you BamaRose61!! And you are exactly right, he could have gotten that pill from anywhere from the time he left the CCJ and arrived at the CC Courthouse. The sad thing is, when these people have an emergency such as someone breaking in their house , they do not hesitate to call the LEO's, that they take every opportunity to tear down, and ask them for their help.

Posted by gap1973 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oh my goodness people we are all suppose to be adults here so why not act like it...yes it is good that our LEO's are catching these criminals but they do tend to go a little over board once in awhile.But i wouldnt let it get my b/p up just be glad it wasnt your pocket they found the pill in..

Posted by gladtobefromandy (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

starnewsreader.. you can post your opinion and if someone dont like, they'll let you know real fast. Thats why i hardly ever post on here anymore.. they'd argue until their fingernails fell off if they could.

Posted by bluesclues (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The saying that "The truth hurts" really proved to be true this time...:)~
Maybe when we get a new Sheriff and new Deputys, Guards.. This town wont be such a laugh anymore.
It's always CCJ in the news, the funny papers.

Posted by harts0002 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well bluesclues, I have just heard something that will work perfectly for you. "Hate Cops, next time you are being robbed, call a CRACKHEAD!" See how that works out for ya.

Posted by gladtobefromandy (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

HEARTS... We dont hate all cops. just the "stoopid" ones.

Posted by gladtobefromandy (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

seems like the county is always in some sort of dilly! : ) Im so glad i live in the city. They dont harass ya like the county does.

Posted by bluesclues (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I dont hate Police officers, and its not my fault that the deputys and jailers in this town have such a reputation, I believe they did that to themselves time and time and time again, cost the county money it couldnt afford to lose, cost people their lives, whats it going to take to get them to do their jobs , they do get paid, its the profession they chose. If they cant do it and they continue to keep making CC a joke, they need to step down doncha think? I have the most respect for the Andalusia Police Dept, and for the DTF here...But the proof is on the wall about how the CCJ is run and its evidently by people that dont take their jobs seriously....not my fault...Election day cant come soon enough.

Posted by gap1973 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I guess if we were all the secretary for the DTF we would all be really quick to jump to the defense of all the actions of the LEO wouldnt we...Everyone has there opinions regardless of what they are.

Posted by no_jurisdiction (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

At least someone on here has some common sense and knows how to LOOK FACT and LAWS up before posting dumba** comments. That is exactly how the LAW is suppose to be enforced. No pill bottle, no prescription.....no free ride home. Covington County Jail here we come. I would think that if you read the article that maybe where it says DTF LT. Paul Hudson.......DTF stands for "DRUG" TASK FORCE. Also look at the rank...I'm pretty sure this man knows what he's looking for and its not his first rodeo. This man is a smart, intelligant and knows what hell he's doing. To all of you who comments about how LEO's arrest people and say its bullcrap or thats just not right.....read the LAW, look around and see the people WE have to deal with.......Covington County has A LOT of drugs in it. LEO's are doing their Best to CLEAN it up for our children. IF you didn't break the LAW then you WOULDN'T be behind bars.

Posted by harts0002 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well gap1973, I applaud you for knowing who I am. For all that do not know, my name is Amanda Hart and I am the secretary for the DTF. I have never stated that I defend all Leo's because there are some that do not do as they should but, it is not right to judge LEO's as whole because of those few. You know, you could have went ahead and posted my name, I am not ashamed of anything I have had to say and do not care if everyone knows who I am. Unlike some that like to hide and just run their mouths. I know who has my back and who I can turn to in a time of need, can you say the same??? Thank you no_jurisdiction!!!

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I will have to agree that the CCJ has had its share of problems.I remember not to long ago ,it seemed like someone was escaping from there every week.Anyway,you got to admit the DTF has put a dent in the meth problem, in this county.I hope they do the same with the prescription pill problem, but I do believe it will be even harder to control than the meth problem.

Posted by Walt_Merrell (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whether you agree with her or not, we should all appreciate Amanda's passion for her job and be thankful for the work she, and so many others, do.

Posted by harts0002 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you Walt!

Posted by gap1973 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I dont disagree with anything amanda had to say what i disagree with is all the petty back n forth mess about this one person who got caught with a pill i personally am glad they caught it i dont uphold drug use and as far as our law inforcement goes there are good and bad and your right they shouldnt all be judged because of one. As a matter of fact i highly respect most of our officers due to the fact i happen to be married to one and i wouldnt want him to be judged because of one officers wrong doings.. The point is we all have the right to our opinion rather it's liked or not.

Posted by drpepper (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Instead of complaining about the leo's and jail guards and they job they do, why not become certified and do it yourself if you could do better?..... Maybe you just don't have the guts to face the idiots and criminals they deal with?
As stated before, one messes up and the whole group gets a bad reputation.
I believe most of the deputies on the force do an excellent job, given that there are only a 2 or 3 to cater to the whole county, which isin't their fault.

Keep up the good work leo's!!!

Posted by winkie (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you DTF. Prescription drugs are deadly in the wrong hands and I pray you guys lock up the Dr.s, Druggists and the dealers big time. No matter who they are or where they come from.

Posted by kayec156 (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 11:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think it would really be a good idea to have the comment option removed. It only causes people to attack each other and throw accusations. These posts always end up getting WAY off the point and people get hurt. Not necessarily any of the ones on this page-but on a lot of them, a great deal of what is said isn't true, but after it's said, it can't be recalled. Then someone reads it and takes it for truth. I just hate to see someone's reputation get ruined when often what is said is just out of jealousy or ignorance-again-I am not attacking anyone here-just in general. I've seen a lot of things on here that I know to be untruths. Let's just all get along and remember that God will use the same measuring stick when He judges us as we do when we judge others. Peace...

Posted by no_jurisdiction (anonymous) on July 16, 2009 at 1:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well Amanda's not the only person who is "in or with" Law Enforcement.

Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on July 16, 2009 at 5:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

kayec156... to be able to comment on a news article is very common.The Andalusia Star News is doing what thousands of other newspapers do,which is to let there readers voice there opinion about what goes on in the community.

Posted by chad_long22 (anonymous) on July 16, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i dont use an alias and this is crazy who cares waht this guy did. If they decide to lock you up they will lock you up. Enjoy this while we can cause as the country keeps going we will not have this right much longer. To stay out of trouble stay inside dont go out they can't get ya if you dont go out. I like being inside its cool and the only people i have to put up with is my wife and kids on second thought i am going out maybe they will get me a vacation do they have cable in jail man that would be nice what about the food is it good it might be worth it for about 30 days i do not want any visitors half deaf so the noises want be that bad oh yeah who cares

Posted by LoyalAmerican (anonymous) on July 17, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, what amusing reader responses this topic has generated! Some of you made excellent points. However, a major point ignored regarding this incident is; where is the justifible outrage directed at Mr. Ryken for being drunk on our streets? Also, it is a rule of law that prescription drugs be in a container, labeled as such. Mr. Ryken was wrong on many levels. It is disturbing that so many posts appear to condone the actions of this man and fault law enforcement for doing their job. It is evident that many use this public forum simply to grind their axe with no intent of creating positve thoughts. One writer commented on "erosion of civil rights". If you think holding a person accountable for breaking the law by having a containerless pill in their pocket is an "erosion of civil rights", I have some sad, heartbreaking news for you! Your civil rights and liberties are being taken away from you on a grand scale daily and the majority of Americans are snoozing right through the systematic process! Instead of wasting time on the John Ryken's of the world, use your collective energy to make a difference in America on a national level and stop the REAL erosion of civil rights! Finally, I want to say thank you to our law enforcement officers. You are doing a great job! If you don't agree, get out from in front of your computer, join the force and be part of the solution!!

Posted by harts0002 (anonymous) on July 17, 2009 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Very well said Loyal American!!!!!

Posted by jamthree (anonymous) on July 17, 2009 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dui kills..................

Posted by believer (anonymous) on July 17, 2009 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, if we only had more LoyalAmericans. So much truth in your words. I agree 100%. I too would like to thank our law enforcement officers for putting their life on the line for us everyday.