Traffic stops lead to three arrests

Atmore police made traffic stops on three consecutive days that led to three Atmore residents going to jail on charges that included drug possession, DUI and receiving stolen property.

Darren Knighten, 33, was charged with drug trafficking, unlawful possession of marijuana II and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jaylon North, 21, was charged with receiving stolen property and DUI.

Rickey Maddox, 32, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

All three suspects were transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.

Knighten

About 11:05 p.m. on May 18 Atmore police conducted a traffic stop on 12th Avenue on a vehicle that had no tail lights and officers made contact with the driver, identified as Knighten.

Atmore police reported the officer requested consent to search the vehicle and during the search reported finding more than 50 grams of a crystal-like substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine, several grams of marijuana and numerous plastic bags.

North

About 1:40 a.m. May 19, an Atmore police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Wilson Avenue in reference to a driver operating the vehicle in the oncoming lane of traffic and identified North as the driver.

According to police reports, officers stated that while speaking to North there was a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officer requested North to exit the vehicle in order to conduct a probable cause search.

While questioning North, the officer said it appeared North was under the influence and failed standardized field sobriety tests.

Police also reported that while searching the vehicle the officer found a handgun that had been reported stolen through the Atmore Police Department.

Maddox

About 8:30 p.m. on May 20, an Atmore police officer conducted a traffic stop on East Sunset Drive in reference to a license plate violation.

While speaking to the driver and passengers, the officer reported one of the passengers, later identified as Maddox, was acting strangely and the officer requested a consent to search the vehicle.

During the search of the vehicle the officer reported finding a glass pipe containing a crystal-like residue that field tested positive for meth.