VALLEY — Eight weeks after former Chambers County Assistant District Attorney Roland Sledge, 64, was arrested on an arson charge, his wife has been arrested on the same charge.

Roland Sledge was arrested on a charge of second-degree arson on January 3, 2018. On Tuesday of this week. Dorothy Sledge, 62, was arrested by the Chambers County Sheriff’s Department on the same charge. Her arrest was on a grand jury indictment.

The couple is accused of setting fire to their home on October 21, 2017. According to reports, a gas can and a propane tank were found near the front door of their home when firefighters entered the burning structure. “It was a very, very dangerous situation for our firefighters,” said East Alabama Deputy Fire Chief Kerry Pickard. “They could have been easily killed.”

Pickard compared it to an ambush.

“It was a situation that could have totally went sideways,” said Major Mike Reynolds of the Valley Police Department. “The firefighters could have easily been killed. “Instead of arson, we could be looking at homicide.”

Tuesday’s arrest was the latest setback for a family whose lives have been spinning out of control. In June 2016, Roland Sledge was fired from his position as assistant district attorney for allegedly working civil cases while serving in the DA’s office. In 2017, he was additionally charged with misappropriating funds from a conservator account he had been entrusted with.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE reports

LaFAYETTE — Five people were arrested by the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday. According to Sheriff’s Office reports,

Thomas Drumwright, 43, of Lanett has been charged with the unlawful possession of marijuana, second degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia;

Spontaneous La’Special Oriana Ballard, 20, of Lanett has been charged with failure to appear in court to answer charges of speeding and driving with a suspended license;

Matthew Turner, 23, of Valley has been charged with a probation violation;

James Shaver, 20, of LaFayette has been charged on a grand jury indictment for theft of property, third degree. and

Alexandra Rudd, 22, of Opelika has been charged with the unlawful possession of marijuana, second degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

There were 173 inmates in the Chambers County Jail this morning.

LANETT reports

LANETT — Three people were arrested in Lanett on Thursday. According to Lanett Police Department reports,

Christopher Franklin Varner, 51, of Lanett has been charged with two counts of FTA;

Javonta Trammell Williams, 24, of Lanett has been charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana, and

Albert Lewis Williams, 42, of Lanett has been charged with attempting to elude a police officer and failure to pay.

In incidents being investigated by Lanett officers, criminal trespass, third degree, and harassment was reported on the 500 block of North 9th Avenue, and theft of property, fourth degree, reported on the 700 block of North 14th Court.

Valley reports

VALLEY — One person was arrested in Valley on Thursday. According to a Valley Police Department report,

Spontaneous La’Special Oriana Ballard, 20, of Lanett has been charged with bail jumping, second degree.

In incidents reported Thursday in Valley, police are investigating a report of burglary, third degree, and theft of property, second degree, taking place on the 2400 block of 31st Street; harassing communications on the 300 block of Rehoboth Circle; theft of property, second degree, on the 100 block of Maple Street, and physical harassment and criminal mischief, third degree, on the 600 block of Fob James Drive.

WEST POINT
reports

WEST POINT — A theft taking place on Georgia Highway 18 was reported to the West Point Police Department on Thursday.