2 charged with endangerment

Published 12:04 am Thursday, January 21, 2010

Two people have been charged with chemical endangerment of a child after deputies dispatched to check on the welfare of two children found evidence of illegal drug use.

Covington County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a child welfare check at a residence in Paul’s Trailer Court just outside of Andalusia on Monday.

When the deputies arrived, they could smell the odor of burnt marijuana in the residence. Drug Task Force agents were called to the scene and received a consent to search the residence. During the search, agents found a partially burned hand-rolled marijuana cigar and a partially burned hand-rolled marijuana cigarette on a plate in the living room.

Donna Lasha Walker, 28, and Robert Antoine Ainsworth, 27, were arrested and charged with chemical endangerment of a child, two counts; possession of marijuana, second degree; and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond for each was set at $510,500.

Also arrested was Robert Shawn Gunter, 27, who was charged with possession of marijuana, second degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $10,500.

The Drug Task Force also made two other unrelated drug arrests this week.

On Tuesday, agents arrested Shelton Foster, 56, for possession of forged instrument third degree and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. The arrest was the result of an investigation that covered several months. His bond was set at $23,000.

Wednesday, DTF agents arrested Ruby Jean Bradley, 38, for possession of a forged instrument third degree and attempted possession of a controlled substance after an investigation showed she turned in a forged prescription in an attempt to obtain a controlled substance. Her bond was set at $13,000.

“While methamphetamine is at an all-time low in the county, we are taking a new approach to dealing with prescription pills,” DTF agent David Harrell said. “Just like dealing with the problems we have seen in the past with meth, we are focusing a lot of time and effort to control people who abuse and obtain pills illegally.