By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Two Atmore men were arrested May 9 on various felony and misdemeanor drug-related charges after the multi-colored under-glow lights on their vehicle attracted the attention of Atmore police.
In Alabama, it is legal to have under-glow lighting on your vehicle as long as the colors are white, blue or amber, which colors are legal for all vehicles on the road. However, state law restricts such lighting to only two of these colors on any car at the same time, and at no time is it legal to have a red light that is seen from the front of the vehicle.
Atmore Police Department Sgt. Darrell McMann reported that around 11:55 p.m. an APD patrol officer spotted a vehicle that was “displaying bright, multi-colored under glow lights.”
When the officer initiated a traffic stop, he saw someone throw two clear-plastic baggies from the passenger-side window, one of which was on the ground next to the vehicle’s passenger door.
The car was occupied by two Atmore men — Keshawn Pettway, 24, and Michael Pettway, 26. A search of the vehicle and location of the clear plastic baggies that had been thrown from the vehicle led to the discovery of 28 grams of synthetic cannabis (Spice) and 10 grams of Ecstasy pills, along with a digital scale, a handgun and a quantity of clear, plastic baggies.
Keshawn Pettway was charged with one count each of possession of a controlled substance (synthetic cannabis), possession of drug paraphernalia, second-degree possession of marijuana, and unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (Ecstasy).
Michael Pettway was charged with one count each of possession of a controlled substance (synthetic cannabis), possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a pistol and unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (Ecstasy).
Both were processed into the Escambia County Detention Center, and each remained in the facility late Monday, May 15.
Candy, blunts & Spice
An Atmore woman with an apparent taste for cannabis and cannabis-infused candy was arrested May 10 after APD officers responded a report of a “suspicious vehicle” in the Walmart parking lot.
Responding officers located the vehicle and contacted its driver, 33-year-old Courtney Watkins, who “was moving items around and possibly attempting to hide something” as the officer questioned her.
Watkins reportedly granted consent to search the vehicle, and lawmen came up with 8.5 grams of marijuana, 35 grams of synthetic marijuana, two THC-infused chocolate bars, two cigars in which the tobacco was removed and replaced with marijuana (blunts) and a digital scale.
The Atmore woman was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center on one count each of second-degree possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance (synthetic marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released on bond the next day.