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A man and a woman were arrested and charged with promoting prison contraband by the Alabama Department of Corrections’ Law Enforcement Services Division K-9 units on Dec. 3 at Fountain Correctional Facility, just outside Atmore.

According to the ADOC, a suspicious vehicle had been reported and correctional staff requested the services division’s K-9 assistance.

“When K-9 units arrived, correctional staff had already stopped the vehicle and detained driver, Natalia Ridgeway, and passenger, Charles Xavier Marshall, a former ADOC inmate,” ADOC officials said. “The K-9 units searched the area for any dropped contraband. Nothing further was found.”

The recovered contraband included cell phones, a pre-paid cell phone card, a pair of wire cutters, black clothing, a night vision monocular, a large hunting knife, a used syringe, phone chargers, two throwing knives, one regular knife and additional miscellaneous packing.

According to the ADOC, there were two minor children in the backseat. They were released to a family member.

Ridgeway and Marshall were arrested and charged with attempting to promote prison contraband I and prohibited

activities and transported to the Escambia County Detention Facility in Brewton. The investigation is ongoing and further charges may be added.