An Alabama prison warden is arrested on drug charges

ATHENS, Ala. — The warden of an Alabama prison was arrested Friday on drug charges, officials with the state prison system confirmed.

Chadwick Crabtree, the warden of Limestone Correctional Facility, was charged with manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a statement from the prison system. Court records show the manufacturing complaint accuses him of growing psilocybin mushrooms, a hallucinogen.

Court records do not indicate whether Crabtree has an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

The Alabama Department of Corrections said its law enforcement division, along with a state SWAT team and the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, executed search and arrest warrants at Crabtree’s home. Crabtree and his wife were both taken into custody.

The prison system did not immediately reveal what led to the search, but said the investigation is ongoing.

A search was also conducted at Crabtree’s office in Limestone, the prison system said. Crabtree has been placed on mandatory leave without pay pending further personnel actions.