Officer quits in rifle probe
By Marty Roney
Montgomery Advertiser
ONLINE EXTRA:
THE AR-15
The AR-15 is a civilian legal, semi-automatic version of the U.S. military's M-16 rifle. As a semi-automatic, it fires one round each time the trigger is pulled.
Caliber: .223 Remington
Weight: Empty, 6.4 lbs. With 30 round magazine, 8.8 lbs.
Length: Overall, 39.6 inches; barrel, 20 inches.
Range: Maximum, 3,600 meters.
Muzzle velocity: 3,110 feet per second.
Ammunition feed: 5, 20 or 30 round detachable box magazine .
Source: The Illustrated Directory of Modern American Weapons, edited by David Miller
PRATTVILLE -- A veteran Prattville police officer and former commander of the department's drug unit resigned Tuesday amid an investigation into the improper use of a rifle seized in a drug case. The officer is alleged to have destroyed the gun after questions arose about its use.
Lt. Todd Townson is the subject of an internal police investigation, Mayor Jim Byard confirmed Tuesday morning. He has been on the force more than 15 years. Townson allegedly took an AR-15 rifle from the drug unit's evidence locker for personal use, said District Attorney Randall Houston . The AR-15 is a civilian legal, semi-automatic version of the military's M-16 rifle.
Townson could face criminal charges ranging from misappropriation of property, a misdemeanor, to theft of property in the second degree, a felony, said Glenn Goggans, an assistant DA.
"This is a personnel issue and our investigative division is currently looking into the matter," Byard said Tuesday. "I won't comment specifically about anything because of the ongoing investigation. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, a police officer's conduct must be above reproach. I will stand by the findings of the investigation."
Houston has removed himself from any decisions concerning the case, citing his personal relationship with Townson. The two men have hunted together numerous times. Houston's office received new information about the case and presented the findings to the city Monday. Townson had been on medical leave since Thursday, when he underwent surgery, the mayor said.
The rifle in question had been seized following the search of a suspected drug house several years ago, Houston said. Townson allegedly used the rifle for several years, then recently tried to sell it at a Montgomery gun shop, Houston confirmed. When questions arose about the sale of the rifle Townson allegedly retrieved it from the shop and destroyed it, Houston confirmed.
Townson is sorry for any embarrassment the situation caused the department or city, said his attorney, Bruce Maddox of Montgomery.
"Several years ago a mistake was made about the source and use of a piece of equipment," Maddox said. "Todd has tried to fix the problem, but wasn't able to. He felt resigning was best because he didn't want to embarrass himself or the city."
Townson allegedly used the receiver of the rifle as the main component in building a more accurate rifle. He used a barrel and internal parts he bought to finish it.
In the spring of 2004, Townson was removed as drug unit commander and made supervisor of second-shift patrol. He was allowed to keep his rank.
Byard confirmed the rifle issue had a role in that action.
"We discovered a problem and it was handled in-house, as a personnel issue," he said. "The DA's office came to me late last week with new information and it was decided to re-open the matter. We, and Lt. Townson for that matter, have cooperated fully with the district attorney's office."
Houston said the internal investigation is the way to go.
"I have complete confidence Prattville investigators will do their duty," he said. "I have complete confidence the mayor will do the right thing. Police departments conduct internal investigations regularly.
"There are times when you need to bring in an outside agency, when an officer is involved in a shooting for instance. I don't feel this case warrants an outside agency."
