Updated 12/13/19

Authorities announced Thursday that a criminally indicted Limestone County judge is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the local juvenile court system and an elderly veteran, authorities announced today.

Doug Patterson, a Limestone County district judge, is charged with using his office for personal gain, third-degree theft and financial exploitation of the elderly, according to the Alabama Attorney General’s Office. The charges are punishable by up to 40 years in prison.

Patterson was booked into the county jail and released on $30,000 bail.