By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – A 23-year-old Alabaster man has been released from the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $60,000 after his original $120,000 bond was recently reduced.

Christopher Terry Alberts, who lists an address on Treymoor Lake Circle in Alabaster, was released from the Shelby County Jail on July 18 after posting the reduced bonds, according to jail records.

The Pelham Police Department arrested Alberts on two felony counts of first-degree robbery on Sept. 9, 2015, after officers said he was involved in a “drug deal gone wrong.”

According to his arrest warrants, Alberts, while armed with a handgun, allegedly stole money and marijuana from an acquaintance. The alleged robbery took place on Aug. 17, 2015, at an extended stay motel in Pelham, and the Pelham Police Department was called to the scene.

Upon further investigation, Police Chief Larry Palmer said deputies learned narcotics were involved in the incident.

A Shelby County grand jury indicted Alberts on the two felony robbery charges in January. In February, Alberts’ attorneys requested the suspect’s bond be reduced from $120,000, and claimed the bond was “inappropriately and unconstitutionally high.”

On May 25, Circuit Court Judge Lara Alvis lowered Alberts’ total bond to $60,000, per an agreement between the defense attorneys and prosecutors.

Alberts is now set to appear in Circuit Court on Aug. 29 for a status call at 8:30 a.m.

First-degree robbery is a Class A felony, according to Alabama law, and carries a maximum sentence of life in prison upon conviction.