News

Felony arrests

Deputies jail Atmore man for attempted murder

Cooper
Sims
Lawson

Gainey
Hall

By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer

Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 47-year-old Kelvin Bernard Cooper of Atmore on November 1, charging him in connection with a shooting incident that occurred at an undisclosed location.
No details were available, but the Escambia County Detention Center website shows Cooper was processed into the facility on charges of attempted murder, discharging a firearm into a building or train, possession of a firearm by a person forbidden to own or possess one, and harassment.
The exact same charges were filed against Cooper when he was arrested on May 28, 2022. Whether he was re-indicted on the same charges, or if the two arrests are otherwise related, is not known.
According to an employee of the jail’s booking and release division, the Atmore man was released November 2 after a $150,000 bond was posted on his behalf.
In other arrests of Atmore residents who were charged with felony offenses during the period October 31-November 3:
*City police arrested two local men — Tyderian Deantwyne Sims, 24, and Ladre Tyrell Lawson, 25, both of Atmore — October 31 on felony pot and weapons possession charges.
According to Atmore Police Department reports, APD narcotics investigators pulled up around 3:15 p.m. on a vehicle that was “stopped in the middle of the street on Harris Street.”
APD Sgt. Darrell McMann reported that investigators “detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle” as they approached it.
Both occupants were removed from the vehicle as lawmen conducted a probable cause search of it due to the strong odor of marijuana.
That search led to the discovery of approximately 56 grams (slightly less than two ounces) of marijuana, along with a digital scale and two handguns, McMann said.
Sims and Lawson, both convicted felons, are charged with one count each of first-degree possession of marijuana, possession of a firearm by a person forbidden to own or possess one, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sims was released November 2 on bond. Community Corrections has a hold on Lawson, who was still in jail Monday, November 6, without bond.
*City police arrested Jeremy Jamal Gainey, 37, October 31 on outstanding warrants from Escambia County (Ala.) authorities.
No details were available, but the ECDC website shows Gainey is charged with violation of probation or parole. The list of offenses for which he was wanted include possession of a controlled substance, public intoxication, promoting prison contraband and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Gainey remained in the county jail, without bond, Monday, November 6.
*Sheriff’s deputies arrested 42-year-old Mitchell Leadeal Hall November 1 on a felony drug charge.
No details were provided on the arrest, but the ECDC website shows Hall was jailed on one count of distribution of a controlled substance (unspecified).
He was released on bond November 2, jail records show.