Parole officer arrested after sting

By Kathryn “Chazz” Hirschfeld
Staff writer
HAMILTON — A misuse of power by a state parole officer has led to his arrest through a sting operation conducted by the Marion County Sheriff’s office in conjunction with the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
On Monday, May 6, Alabama parole officer Jonathan Reid, 40, of Hamilton, was arrested at approximately 12:30 p.m. at the Days Inn in Hamilton.
His charges included allegedly using his position as a parole officer for personal gain, as well as custodial sexual misconduct.
He was booked into the Marion County Jail at 2:42 p.m. and remains in jail under a $20,000 bond.
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Williams was asked on May 7 to provide further details on the incident.
He explained that a female state probationer had made a report of a male probation officer making advances toward her. The report was made to a sheriff’s office employee.
The misuse of power and ensuing charges stem from the fact the man was a probation officer and the female was a state parolee. There are anti-fraternization policies in place, along with rules and procedures, forbidding probation officers and their parolees from having social interactions beyond their official positions...