A longtime Piedmont Corrections officer was charged following a random search at the facility Tuesday where a K-9 alerted on his vehicle. Authorities seized pills from the vehicle.

Kevin Dallas Wolford, 49, of the 1100 block of Lakewood Drive, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance on a penal institution premises. The prison is located at 1245 Camp Road.

The search was done on May 6 of the inside and outside the facility, said Salisbury Police Capt. Shelia Lingle. The dog alerted on the car and Wolford gave officers consent to search the vehicle.

Officers found oxycodone and hydrocodone as well as rolling papers. No other substances were found. He was issued a written promise to appear in court on Thursday.

N.C. Department of Public Safety spokesman Keith Acree said Wolford has been employed with the agency since 1991 and as of Wednesday his job status had not changed.