$200,000 in Alabama, $100,500 in Florida
Lopez
A Flomaton police officer who was arrested on Dec. 7 in Escambia County (Fla.) on trafficking methamphetamine was released on $100,500 bond, but was brought to Escambia County (Ala.) to face the charges of using his position for personal gain and given a bond of $200,000 on the Alabama charges.
Issac Lopez, 36, appeared before Circuit Judge Todd Stearns last Thursday for the bond hearing. He was later released from the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on a bond provided by Central Bail Bonds.
Flomaton Police Chief Chance Thompson terminated Lopez from his police job in Flomaton shortly after he was booked into the Escambia County Jail in Pensacola.
The charge of using his position for personal gain involves allegations that Lopez used a cell phone issued by the town of Flomaton to coordinate the drug trafficking.
The original arrest report states Lopez arranged a deal to pick up 2 ounces of meth at a predetermined location in Molino. However, the deal he had made was made with an undercover Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office investigator and Lopez was taken into custody when he arrived.
During last Thursday's bond hearing, Lopez told Judge Stearns he wanted an opportunity to hire his own attorney instead of having one appointed.
Stearns said if Lopez was released on bond he was not allowed to leave the state without permission of the court and would be placed under house arrest.
Lopez told the judge he lived at 4058 Florida Ave., in Jay and he also needed to take his children to and from school in Jay.
Judge Stearns amended the bond conditions to allow Lopez to live in Jay and he will be allowed to transport his children to and from school, visit his attorney and travel for medical care. Other than those exceptions, Lopez is to remain at home.
Prior to setting Lopez's bond on the Alabama charge, Judge Stearns told him the allegations of distribution of a controlled substance is a serious crime and danger to the community and all of Escambia County. Stearns said the $200,000 bond could either be property or a security bond.
