Former Officer Ryan Moore Pleads Guilty to Possession of Marijuana

A former Huntsville Police Officer was sentenced after pleading guilty to possessing marijuana.

Court records showed a small amount of marijuana was found in an equipment bag inside the trunk of Ryan Moore's patrol car.

Moore resigned from the police department and pleaded guilty to charges on September 14th.

Moore, his attorney, prosecution and Moore's friends and family were given a chance to speak before sentencing.

Moore spoke on his own behalf telling the court, "I made a mistake. I didn't turn in the marijuana. I'm sorry to the Huntsville Police Department, my friends and family for dragging them into this. This was truly a misunderstanding."

Moore also explained it's been difficult to find a job with a pending felony charge.

Moore said he has applied to many places but was turned down when the employer found out about his criminal record.

Moore said he is now employed at Publix and found out Friday he passed his managers test.

Moore's friends and family testified Moore knew by 7th grade he wanted to become a police officer.

He graduated from Grissom High School, went on to graduate from Auburn, and then from the police academy.

His father, Douglas Moore told the judge, "I ask for mercy. Ryan has been punished enough. It's been 21 months since he was charged. He was forced to quit the police department."

Prosecutor Don Rizzardi said this has been a hard case.

"I feel Ryan fell under bad influence. He confessed, pled guilty. It takes a man to admit he was wrong. It doesn't make sense to me that he doesn't remember turning in 4 bags of marijuana in his car," he said.

Huntsville Police Internal Affairs Officer also stood before the court.

"It gave us cause for concern but I don't think Ryan Moore belongs in prison," he said.

During sentencing, Judge Karen Hall told Little, "This is not an easy case. I know from what I've read that you must be an upstanding person that made poor decisions. And it seems you were under the influence of a fellow officer whose record wasn't as clear."

Moore was sentenced to a five year split sentence.

He will serve six months at the Madison County jail in active work release.

He has until January 19th to turn himself in.

The balance of his sentence will be suspended. Then he will be placed on a 2 year probation.

The defense has 42 days to appeal.