Atmore woman among trio arrested
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
An Atmore woman was one of three suspects arrested last week and charged with capital murder in the shooting death more than four years ago of a Flomaton couple.
Jacqueline Bernice Rolin, 40, of Atmore, Jermain Lavelle Smith, 35, of Flomaton, and Kenneth Joe Lowery Jr., 40, of Century were each charged with capital murder in connection with the August 12, 2017, shooting deaths of Timothy and Susan Adams.
Police believe the slayings were committed during the course of a robbery. The couple’s bodies were found inside their College Street mobile home, and each had been shot several times.
Their phones and other items were taken and later discovered by authorities in two separate, undisclosed locations.
Flomaton Police Chief Charles Thompson noted in a press release that the small, close-knit community was shocked at the murders.
“This case made a strong impact on the Flomaton area in the year 2017,” said Thompson, who was an investigator with the department at that time. “We are a very close community, where everyone knows everybody.”
Flomaton police never gave up on the case.
Investigators continued to check out various leads over the past four years and recently hit upon information that solidified their belief that the trio now under arrest committed the murders.
“Our department at the time was very committed to the investigation of this case, as we still are today,” said Thompson. “I am very pleased to see that the victims of this case and their families are able to start seeing justice here in 2021, four years later.”
He also pointed out that FPD detectives received plenty of assistance over the course of the investigation. No fewer than six area agencies chipped in to help put the suspected killers behind bars.
The group included investigators from sheriff’s offices in Escambia County, Ala. and Escambia County Fla., as well as agents of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Region A Drug Task Force, Poarch Creek Indians Tribal Police and city police in Jackson and Atmore.
“I am so proud of the law enforcement relationship we hold in our county and also with our law enforcement neighbors to the south in Escambia County, Fla.,” the Flomaton chief said.
Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said APD investigators provided whatever help was needed during the lengthy investigation.
“Our investigative team assisted them with locating the suspects, conducting interviews, picking up the suspects and whatever else was needed,” Brooks said.
Rolin and Smith remained in the Escambia County Detention Center, without bond, this week, while Lowery remained in the Escambia County (Fla.) Jail, also without bond, awaiting extradition to Alabama.
Both Rolin and Smith were taken into custody November 2, while Lowery was arrested in Florida a day later.
“It is truly a blessing from God, in my eyes, that we as a whole were able to begin the process of bringing justice to these victims and the closure that the family deserves,” Thompson said.