Malone councilman arrested
Randall Stuart Ward
Published: May 9, 2009
A Malone town council member was arrested on methamphetamine-related charges Friday, law enforcement officials report.
According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, investigators with the Jackson County Drug Task Force conducted a traffic stop on Highway 73 South in Marianna.
A news release from the task force identified the driver of the vehicle as Randall Stuart Ward.
The sheriff’s office reported that a narcotics detection canine was deployed during the traffic stop. After an open-air check of the vehicle, the canine alerted to the odor of narcotics being emitted from the driver’s door of the vehicle.
“A search of the vehicle revealed a box of pseudoephedrine cold pills and three bottles of iodine tincture. Also, Randall Ward was in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine and a straw used to ingest methamphetamine,” a sheriff’s office press release said.
Ward was placed under arrest on charges of possession of listed chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was booked into the Jackson County Correctional Facility to await first appearance in court on these charges, the sheriff’s office reported.
Ward has served on the Malone town council since 2005. In the 2005 election, Ward collected the highest number of votes in the council election, garnering 94 votes.
He has also served as a coach for the Hope School Falcons, and the Malone baseball and basketball teams.
Reader Reactions
THE ONLY COMMENT I HAVE IS LOU, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. I WOULD NOT LIKE IT VERY MUCH FOR MY ELECTED OFFICIALS MAKING DECISIONS UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
If this newspaper is anything like the paper back in my hometown in ohio then what you read is far from the truth,that is why i like this area for comments then people can really get a better outlook on the real situation rather then just reading what some reporter decided to say.The fact of Mr.Ward being a councilman is the only reason the paper plasterd his picture on the front page if it was anyone else you would of never even heard about it.And what I said about this being a eye opener to him i wasnt saying it to be mean I just hope maybe he will get the help he needs.
You’re all right with your comments and concerns as everyone is entitled to their own thoughts and views on each situation. However, EVERYONE that’s printed in the Floridan involving negative stories is a part of families and most no one gives a darn about their feelings and embarrassments. So, I guess if the shoe fits, wear it.
What I wish Jackson County residents would realize is the fact our tax dollars funded group of highly paid individuals are being used as traffic patrol! Every story about drug arrest lately includes the “Jackson County Drug Task Force” initiating TRAFFIC STOPS! Why the heck is the “task force” the only ones doing traffic stops in Jackson County and they all end with drug arrest? Where are the traffic patrol officers? Are the “Drug Task Force” unit “specialists” higher paid than patrol officers? I would think so. Are there not enough incidents of other drug activities pertaining to a lot worse and more important investigative issues in which one would think the resources and funding of the “Jackson County Drug Task Force” be using? Not for TRAFFIC PATROL!! Come on “Drug Task Force” be more creative in your ignorant bliss and deal with the real reasons to have been created and funded. How much manpower (MONEY) was used in this “traffic stop”?
In my opinion, quite frankly it’s a waste of tax payer’s dollars and an excuse to have created higher priced positions where its members do nothing more than an entry level positioned officer! Maybe it’s just an illegal technicality on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office of using the “Drug Task Force” to make arrest involving drugs after performing questionable and mitigating reasoning for the initial traffic stop!
Hopefully, the States Attorney’s office gives the Sheriff’s Dept. a 101 on making arrest that stick in court!
Oh wait, I’m talking about the Hess Administration…..Sorry, I forgot.
It may be possible the public defender’s give Hess some educating.
Hold on. I even question if this is possible.
hey outlaw10, it is really hard for me to imagine that someone as intelligent, and upstanding as yourself could have ever been in any trouble !!!my panties aren’t in a “wad”. but it does bother me that someone like yourself, could be such a horrible person if in fact you have been in this situation. i am only thinking of randy’s wife, father, and innocent children
Hey Floridan I don’t know if you guys notice it or not but some of these comments are getting out of hand.There is no need for some of the comments that are on here.It is one thing to have a dixcussion but you guys are crossing the line.There is no need for name calling.I don’t care who is doing it.
WHY OF COURSE ANYONE THAT COMMITS A CRIME SHOULD INDEED BE ARRESTED, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN THAT PEOPLE SHOULD PASS JUDGEMENT ON THEM AT THE SAKE OF THEIR INNOCENT FAMILIES. AND TO OUTLAW 10, I BET WHEN YOU GET DUN EATIN YORE CHICKEN GIZZARDS, YOU PICK YORE TOW BLACK TEETH WITH THE EDGES OF YORE 7TH GRADE DIPLOMER…....DONT CHA ? YOU SHOULD BE ARRESTED FOR BEING AN AROGANT, IGNORANT, HILLBILLY REDNECK. !!!DON’T PICK A FIGHT WITH ME CAUSE YOU WON’T WIN. MR. GIT-ER-DONE
They ‘seem’ to be arresting folks, these days, regardless of WHO they are! I love it when big shots get arrested, especially COPS, although a cop is not a big shot, just a little shot with a starched uniforma and badge and gun! Take that away from them and they are NOTHING!!!!!!
I DIDN’T POST A COMMENT TO ARGUE WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE NO LIFE OF THEIR OWN. I TOO APPRECIATE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND THE JOB THEY DO. I WAS MERELY STATING THAT NONE OF US ARE WITHOUT PROBLEMS, AND PEOPLE SHOULD BE CONSIDERATE OF THIS MAN’S INNOCENT FAMILY AND HOW HURTFUL THE COMMENTS PEOPLE MAKE ARE TO THEM. I ASSUME THAT YOU NOR YOUR FAMILY HAS EVER HAD ANY SORT OF PROBLEM AND THAT YOUR HOUSE IS GLASS?
You lead by example.Plain andsimple a junkie is a junkie.If he was a drunk driver you would want to lock him up and throw away the key.He violated the law and now he has to pay the piper.Everyone talks about the job that law enforcement is doing.I like the fact that they are arresting the users along with the dealers.
THIS MAN HAS A FAMILY, AND A CAREER, AND A SERIOUS PROBLEM. HE NEEDS HELP, NOT RUDE COMMENTS TO BE MADE ABOUT HIM. MAYBE HE MADE A BAD CHOICE, BUT HE SHOULD NOT BE RIDICULED AND CONDEMNED BY ANYONE. MAYBE IF PEOPLE USED THE ENERGY TO PRAY FOR RANDY AND HIS FAMILY, INSTEAD OF AUTOMATICALLY JUDGING HIM AND HIS BAD CHOICE, HE WOULD HAVE A MUCH BETTER CHANCE OF RECOVERY. I HAVE BEEN FRIENDS WITH THIS FAMILY FOR YEARS, AND I AM SADDENED BY THIS, AND HOPE AND PRAY WITH ALL MY HEART THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN BE REMEDIED.
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