Jesse_Roberts-1.jpg

Jesse Roberts

(Limestone County Sheriff's Office)

It's not yet clear whether the owner wants it back, but Limestone County authorities recovered a stolen gun when it fell from an inmate's body cavity during a search at the jail.

Jesse O'Neal Roberts, 23, of Elkmont, was being booked into the Limestone County Jail on a misdemeanor charge of public intoxication when the weapon fell from his body, said sheriff's spokesman Stephen Young.

This is a stock photo of the Jimenez .380-caliber pistol, like the one that fell from an inmate's body cavity in Limestone County.

"I immediately considered that he defecated on himself before noticing a familiar shape in the form of a pistol in his boxers," a corrections officer said in a report.

Roberts was arrested after midnight when deputies responded to a call about a prowler on Esten Lane. The caller found Roberts around his garage and held the suspect at gunpoint until deputies arrived, Young said in a news release.

Deputy Chad Harbin found Roberts, who was showing signs of impairment, and arrested him for public intoxication, Young said.

When they arrived at the jail, corrections officers noticed Roberts appeared to be walking "strangely," Young said.

While being searched, Roberts stumbled and the pistol fell from his body cavity, Young said.

The weapon, which was reported stolen from Florence, was not loaded. It is a Jimenez .380-cailber pistol valued at $100.

In addition to public intoxication, Roberts is charged with first-degree promoting prison contraband, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and fourth-degree receiving stolen property. Bail is set at $7,250.

Asked about the incident, Sheriff Mike Blakely said, " 'It' happens," according to the news release.

It's not yet clear whether the owner wants the gun back, authorities said.