The Schuylkill County Prison Board has suspended a longtime correctional officer who faces felony drug charges.

The state Office of the Attorney General on Dec. 1 charged Robert L. Murton, 39, of Pottsville, with acquiring or obtaining possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation and intent to possess a controlled substance by a person not registered.Attempts to reach Murton for comment were unsuccessful.There is "absolutely no" indication that Murton brought drugs into the jail, said prison board Chairman and county Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr.Murton was arraigned before District Judge David A. Plachko of Port Carbon and released on $25,000 unsecured bail.A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Jan. 5.The board voted unanimously to suspend Murton, retroactively effective Monday, on the grounds that he violated prison employees' rules of conduct, truthfulness and notice of a criminal investigation.The decision followed a nonpublic session during a public special meeting Wednesday.