Drug, warrant charges after APD traffic stops
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
On Friday, June 7, officers with Atmore Police Department, Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force and Alabama Department of Corrections K-9 Division pulled over several motorists for various traffic violations, leading to the arrests of seven people, six on drug or drug-related charges and one who was the subject of an outstanding warrant.
Three Atmore men were taken into custody for possession of various drugs during the operation, while one suspect each from Flomaton, Citronelle and Pensacola met the same fate. Another Atmore man was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
APD Chief Chuck Brooks said the success of a joint operation carried out by his office and the county sheriff’s office in February led him to try another one. This time, though, it was limited to city patrol officers and investigators.
“I set it up,” Brooks said. “It was basically only my officers this time. I plan to do that from time to time, to have extra officers out on the streets. No area was targeted; no person was targeted.”
The police chief said he didn’t know exactly how many vehicles were pulled over during the traffic-violation crackdown but noted that there were “a slew of them.” He was also quick to point out that Atmore isn’t alone in its plight against illicit substances or substances illicitly obtained.
“It’s a problem everywhere, not just in our area,” he said.
The following individuals were arrested:
* Rodney Showers, 49, of Atmore was wanted on a fourth-degree theft of property warrant and was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. An employee of the Escambia County Detention Center’s booking and release division reported that Showers remained in the facility on Monday. His bond was not immediately known.
* Dustin McGhee, 28, of Atmore was charged with one count each of possession of an unspecified controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jail records show that McGhee is currently free on a $5,000 bond.
* Brandon Mathis, 26, of Atmore was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance (Spice, methamphetamine). Jail records show that he was released on a $5,000 bond.
* Patrick McPherson, 28, of Atmore was arrested on an outstanding warrant charging him with one count each of distribution of a private image, harassing communications and sexual extortion. Jail records show that he was released on a $25,000 bond.
* Javis Grimes, 34, of Flomaton was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance (Spice, methamphetamine). Booking and release records showed that Grimes remained in the county lockup, under a $10,000 bond, Monday afternoon.
* Mike Sapser, 37, of Citronelle is charged with one count each of carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). He was released after a $5,000 bond was posted.
* Robert Munro, 29, of Pensacola was charged with one count each of possession of a controlled substance (Ecstasy) and second-degree possession of marijuana. Jail records show that Munro was released under a $5,000 bond.
Brooks warned that those who want to drive around with illegal substances in their vehicles had better stay within the speed limit and obey the other state and local traffic laws.
“We are going to have extra officers out on the street, enforcing our traffic statutes,” he said. “If they see something that’s not right, they’re going to pull you over. If you have drugs, you’re going to be arrested. I expect we’ll do these type operations at least all through the summer.”