Mixture of embalming fluid, GHB leads to drug arrest
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Atmore police discovered when responding to a report of a possible drug overdose, that the Atmore woman who supposedly overdosed had been drinking a mixture of Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and embalming fluid, a cocktail commonly known as “Scoot.”
GHB is an illegal drug sometimes used as a “party drug” because it produces feelings of euphoria, relaxation and sociability, as well as an increased sex drive.
Police reports show the incident happened around 8 a.m. on July 14, when officers were sent to a Beck Street residence after a possible overdose was reported.
During the officer’s interaction with the other individuals at the scene, he discovered there could possibly be additional narcotics inside a camper on the property. The officer contacted Atmore Police Department narcotics investigators, who obtained a search warrant.
Investigators discovered an undisclosed quantity of methamphetamine in the camper, along with “numerous other items that have yet to be identified and numerous other items that are commonly used to ingest narcotics.”
Leslie Whiting, 35, was taken to Atmore Community Hospital, where report show she “became irate and confrontational with hospital staff when she thought law enforcement was not present.”
She was eventually charged with one count each of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and disorderly conduct. She remained in the Escambia County Detention Center (ECDC) Monday morning, July 22.
Also arrested in the incident were:
*Shawn Boutwell, 29, of Walnut Hill, Fla., who was also treated and released from the hospital. He is charged with one count each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. It is not clear if Boutwell, who was released on bond July 15, had also been drinking the high-powered cocktail.
*Amy Jo Louise Nelson, 47, of Daytona Beach, Fla. is charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Nelson was arrested June 18, along with an Atmore man, when police conducting a “welfare check” spotted methamphetamine in plain view inside the motel room in which the two were staying. Her bond was revoked on that charge, and she remained in the ECDC Monday morning, July 22.
*Jonathan Schinasi, 44 of Lake Butler, Fla. is charged with one count each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on bond July 16.
Ashley Findley
An Atmore woman who had been banned from entering Atmore’s Walmart due to a previous incident, was charged July 14 with a felony drug violation after she was caught shoplifting from the store.
Police were sent to Walmart around 5:35 p.m. after 41-year-old Ashley Findley was trying to leave the store with several items for which she had not paid.
It was discovered that she had been previously trespassed from the retail store, and that she was in possession of a “small amount” of methamphetamine and unspecified items used to ingest narcotics.
Findley, who was released July 16 on bond, is charged with one count each of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, fourth-degree theft of property and third-degree criminal trespass.
Matthew Edward Thomas
Kelsey Alanna Taylor
An Atmore man and a Century, Fla. woman were arrested July 15 after an Atmore policemen noticed a suspicious vehicle parked behind The Tavern of Atmore, just off U.S. 31, around 12:30 a.m.
The officer reported that he “detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.” As he approached it, a male later identified as Matthew Edward Thomas, 37, began walking away, tossing a plastic baggy away as he walked.
The baggy contained more than 15 grams of a white, crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Due to the strong odor of marijuana, the officers conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. That search yielded about two grams of marijuana, a digital scale and a clear glass pipe with methamphetamine residue inside it.
Thomas remained in jail Monday morning, July 22, charged with one count each of unlawful possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, second-degree possession of marijuana, and tampering with physical evidence.
The vehicle’s passenger, 28-year-old Kelsey Alanna Taylor, was wanted by the Escambia County, Fla. Sheriff’s Office on a probation revocation warrant and was also arrested. She was turned over to Florida authorities July 16.
Matthew Levia Moye
A Perdido man was arrested July 12 after a traffic stop based on an unspecified equipment violation led to the discovery of synthetic marijuana (Spice) in his vehicle.
The traffic stop occurred around 11:10 p.m. on West Nashville Avenue. The backing officer observed the passenger, later identified as Matthew Moye, 41, of Perdido, as he attempted to hide something between the vehicle’s console and its passenger seat.
Several grams of Spice, along with unspecified items commonly used to ingest narcotics, were recovered, and Moye was charged with one count each of possession of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He remained in the ECDC Monday morning, July 22.
Michael Darnell Pleasant
A Flomaton man was arrested for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute after Atmore police stopped his car for an improper turn.
Reports show the incident took place July 12, around 11:05 p.m., when an APD officer pulled the vehicle over on North Main Street. The driver, later identified as Michael Pleasant, 45, denied consent to search his vehicle, so narcotics investigators and a K9 officer were called to the scene.
The K9 alerted to the presence of narcotics, and the officers found more than 10 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, plastic baggies, and other items that are commonly used to ingest narcotics.
Pleasant remained in jail Monday morning, July 22, charged with one count each of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Derek James Staples
An Atmore man was charged with felony pot possession after he was pulled over for failing to turn on his headlights after dark.
The traffic stop occurred around 8:10 p.m. on Jack Springs Road. As officers spoke with the driver, 35-year-old Derek James Staples, one of them noticed a small, plastic baggy containing a green, leafy substance, in plain view.
Officers conducted a probable cause search and recovered several dozen grams of marijuana and a digital scale.
Staples, who was released from jail July 15, is charged with first-degree possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.