JACKSONVILLE — An Anniston man arrested Saturday for violating a protection order also faces weapons and drugs charges, according to Jacksonville police.
Austin Health Church, 37, of Anniston was arrested on charges of violation of protection order, certain person forbidden to possess firearms, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and two charges of unlawful possession of a short-barreled rifle. Police said in a news release Sunday the bond and court date are to be set.
Chief Marcus Wood said this was a contained situation and poses no threat to the community.
According to the news release, Jacksonville police received a call Saturday from a woman who said she was potentially being followed by a man – Church – against whom she had a protection from abuse order.
With the information provided, officers found Church and conducted a traffic stop in the parking lot of O’Reilly’s on Pelham Road South. Officers apprehended him and took him into custody.
In a search of Church’s vehicle, officers found rifles and pistols, loaded magazines for the firearms, at least one pistol containing a Glock Switch (that makes the gun fully automatic), a bullet-proof vest and a bullet-resistant helmet, the news release said.
Officers also found what appeared to be altered commercial grade explosive devices. Upon this discovery, they secured the area and escorted individuals to a safe distance from the scene. Members of the Gadsden Police Department and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s bomb squad responded to evaluate the explosive devices and render them safe.
Police said although the suspect is in police custody, this is still an active investigation with multiple agencies including the Gadsden Police Dept & ALEA’s Bomb Squad; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms; Calhoun/Cleburne Violent Crime Task Force; East Metro Area Crime Center; and the Jacksonville State University Police Department.
The swift actions of these professional law enforcement officers saved lives, the release said.
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