By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – A 21-year-old Helena man is facing up to decades in prison after he was arrested on a pair of drug distribution charges in mid-August.

The Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force arrested Ryne Tyler Ayala, who lists an address on River Valley Road in Helena, on Aug. 19 and charged him with two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

According to his arrest warrants, Ayala allegedly distributed 0.8 grams of marijuana in the 1200 block of First Street North in Alabaster on April 29, 2015.

He also allegedly distributed 2.9 grams of marijuana in the 2900 block of Pelham Parkway on May 19, 2015, according to his arrest warrant.

Unlawful distribution of a controlled substance is a Class B felony, according to Alabama law, and is punishable by up to 20 years in prison per count, if convicted.

According to Shelby County Jail records, Ayala was released from custody after posting bonds totaling $20,000 the same day he was arrested.

He is now set to appear in Shelby County District Court for a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 3.