Alabama Police Corruption Abounds

McIntosh Police Chiefs Son Faces Second Review of Actions

The son of McIntosh's police chief already under investigation for beating and Tasering a driver during a traffic stop in March has again been placed under review for firing a gun at a motorcycle during a police chase Sunday, authorities said.

Officer Blaine Barnett, son of Chief Michael Barnett, fired a single shot into the front tire of a motorcycle being chased by police on U.S. 43, authorities said.

Video of Blaine Barnett beating and tasering driver.


Sounds to me like Daddy's boy needs his ass handed to him. I'm sure his day will come.

And in the northern part of the state....

Two Hunstville Officers indicted for evidence tampering, false reporting, drugs

And in Pickens Co.....

Judge Ira D. Colvin sentenced to 50 months for meth possession

Aren't our men in blue and those who wear the robes just a swell bunch of role models and upstanding citizens ? So swell, in fact, that they are qualified to arrest, pass judgment and imprison others for crimes they themselves commit?


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Alabama "Meth Judge" Sentenced to 12 Years

From the Montgomery Advertiser

Oct 11, 12:29 PM EDT

Former Ala. judge sentenced to 12 years in meth case in Miss.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) -- A former west Alabama judge who pleaded guilty to methamphetamine charges was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment Wednesday after describing how his addictions spiraled out of control.

Ira D. Colvin, who was arrested last year in Mississippi, was immediately taken into custody.

The former district judge must serve five years of supervised release after finishing his prison term, said prosecutor Rhonda Hayes-Ellis.

"Meth is a terrible drug, and it has terrible effects on everyone involved," Hayes-Ellis said outside court. "It's certainly unfortunate."

Colvin was appointed to the judgeship in 2002, and he was removed from the bench after being charged. He still faces drug charges in Alabama, where authorities said meth was found in his office in Carrollton following his arrest.

During a three-hour sentencing hearing, Colvin described how he became addicted first to alcohol, then prescription medication and finally methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty to possessing precursors used to make the drug.

A woman who was arrested with Colvin, Ashley Watkins of Gordo, Ala., pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Colvin. She awaits sentencing. Hayes-Ellis said Colvin claimed he paid Watkins to go to stores and purchase drug ingredients for him.

Colvin's wife, Christy Dawn Colvin, was arrested in Columbus on a similar charge only four months before his arrest. Her initial possession of meth charge was reduced to possession of a controlled substance in exchange for a guilty plea. She was given a six-month suspended jail sentence and ordered to complete drug rehabilitation.

Colvin was indicted in May 2004 on federal bankruptcy fraud charges alleging he hid $25,000 in assets for a client in 2001 while still working as a private attorney. The charges were dropped after Colvin apologized, and he won a term as district judge in November 2004.


I've covered this story since it broke back in August 2006. My initial reaction was that the proverbial book should be thrown at Judge Ira Colvin. I was also very curious to know what his record was when sentencing drug defendants who came before him. That information is difficult to come by so I still do not know what his record was. Even so I feel kind of bad for the guy. Addiction is addiction be it the town drunk or the sitting judge and prison is no place to heal or put one's life back together.

West AL Judge Pleads Guilty to Meth Charges

Former west Alabama judge pleads guilty to meth-related charges
Montgomery Advertiser


COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) -- A former Pickens County judge has pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine precursors in neighboring Mississippi.

Ira D. Colvin entered the plea in Lowndes County, Mississippi, Circuit Court this week. His sentencing is scheduled for October 10th.

The 59-year-old former judge is from Carollton. He was arrested in Mississippi in 2006 and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of ingredients to make methamphetamine with intent to manufacture. Colvin was accused of buying precursors at a store in Columbus.

Colvin was appointed district judge in December 2002. He was removed from the bench after his arrest.

Meth Judge Resigns

Judge resigns amid arrest on drug charges

CARROLLTON, Ala. (AP) -- A west Alabama judge has resigned nearly two weeks after he was arrested on drug charges in neighboring Columbus, Mississippi.

Former Pickens County District Judge Ira Colvin submitted his letter of resignation Monday to Circuit Judge James Moore, who oversees the 24th Judicial Circuit, which includes the county.

A copy of the resignation also was sent to Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Drayton Nabers.

Colvin was arrested August 14th and charged with possessing methamphetamine and materials used to manufacture the drug.

The former judge faces a similar charge in Pickens County after a grand jury recently indicted him after sheriff's investigators recovered meth from his office in Carrollton.According to spokesman, Gov. Bob Riley will appoint someone to fill the vacancy.
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As my friend RH said, "I bet that speedy little fucker could zip through a court docket."

West Ala. judge arrested on drug charges in Mississippi.

Montgomery Advertiser



COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) -- A Pickens County judge is facing drug charges in neighboring Mississippi. Authorities say District Judge Ira Colvin of Carrollton was arrested yesterday (Monday) for allegedly possessing methampethamine in Lowndes County, Mississippi. He is scheduled to appear before a judge today and remains in jail.

No other information was available about the arrest and authorities say additional charges could be filed.

The 58-year-old Colvin was appointed to the judgeship in December 2002.
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Judge Colvin was incited for bankruptcy fraud in 2004 and it appears his wife has been previously arrested on meth charges. I am looking to see what role Judge Colvin has played in drug task forces in his county and what his sentencing record for non-violent drug offenses looks like.