A Moundville man is facing felony charges in Hale County for possession of a controlled substance after being found in possession of a common prescription pain reliever.
William Lamont Ezell, 27, was arrested on March 4, 2025, by the Greensboro Police Department and charged with possession of a controlled substance under Alabama Code §13A-12-212(a)(1). According to court records, officers discovered 58 pills of naproxen sodium, a prescription nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used to treat pain and inflammation, in the vehicle Ezell was driving. The pills were found in a clear, unlabeled pill bottle. Ezell reportedly told officers that the pills belonged to his girlfriend, who remained in Indiana, and that he did not have a prescription for them.
Naproxen, which is available in prescription-strength dosages, is also sold in lower doses over the counter under the brand name Aleve. While naproxen itself is not a controlled substance, prescription medications in unmarked containers can lead to legal complications under Alabama law. Under Alabama’s drug statutes, possession of a controlled substance without a valid prescription is a Class D felony, which carries a sentence of one to five years in prison upon conviction. Additional penalties can include fines up to $7,500 and potential probation or drug treatment programs.
