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PRATTVILLE — An Autauga County deputy sheriff has been fired after being accused of smoking marijuana on duty, Sheriff Joe Sedinger confirmed Wednesday morning.

The deputy was in uniform and driving a patrol vehicle. The incident occurred Monday. The deputy was assigned to night shift, the sheriff said, and had been with the office about two years. The deputy’s shift supervisor discovered the situation.

Sedinger is a seasoned cop, serving almost 30 years with the sheriff’s office. He is in his second term as sheriff.

“We won’t tolerate this type of behavior,” he said. “In all my years of law enforcement I never thought I would be facing a situation like this.”

Sedinger declined to release the deputy’s name, saying currently it is a personnel matter and no criminal charges have been filed. The sheriff’s office is conducting an internal investigation. Sedinger also declined to give specifics about the case, citing the ongoing investigation.

Sedinger said he feels the sheriff’s office will be able to handle the investigation, so he’s not asking for an outside agency to come in.

If any criminal charges are filed, it will likely be misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.

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