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Jesse Roberts

(Limestone County Sheriff)

If the owner of a stolen pistol that was recovered from a Limestone County Jail inmate's body cavity wants the gun back, Florence police say they'll make sure it's sanitized.

The gun, which was stolen from Florence, was recovered by Limestone County authorities when it fell from inmate Jesse Roberts' body cavity during a search at the jail early Tuesday.

Roberts, 23, was being booked on a misdemeanor public intoxication charge when he stumbled and the gun fell to the ground, Limestone County sheriff's spokesman Stephen Young said.

Florence police Sgt. Brad Holmes said the gun, a .380-cailber Jimenez, is one of two stolen during a vehicle break-in on Christmas Eve. The break-in occurred on Sherrod Avenue in north Florence. The second stolen gun has not been located, Holmes said.

Roberts, an Elkmont resident, is charged in Limestone County with fourth-degree receiving stolen property, but Holmes said investigators in Florence could bring additional charges.

"Our detectives have been in contact with investigators in Limestone County and are actively working the case," Holmes told AL.com. "Still no decision from the owner on what they would like done with the weapon, but we will (e)nsure that it is safe and sanitary before it is released."

The gun hasn't yet been transferred from Limestone County sheriff's custody to Florence police.

Roberts was arrested by deputies when they responded to a call about a prowler at a home on Esten Lane after midnight Tuesday. The caller found Roberts around his garage and held the suspect at gunpoint until authorities arrived.

Roberts was being held in the Limestone County Jail with bail set at $7,250. The charges against him also include first-degree promoting prison contraband and carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.

Roberts is no stranger to local law enforcement.

In 2014, he was sentenced to two years of probation for pleading guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia in Limestone County, court records show. A one-year jail sentence was suspended pending his completion of probation. However, his probation later was revoked when he was arrested again, according to records.

In November 2015, he was sentenced again to two years of probation for pleading guilty to receiving stolen property, court records show. In that case, Roberts also was ordered to spend one year in jail, but that sentence was suspended pending successful completion of probation.

The most serious charge Roberts currently faces is promoting prison contraband, a Class C felony. The maximum penalty is 10 years imprisonment.