A routine traffic stop on a vehicle with an expired tag revealed one of the occupants had an outstanding warrant and after being transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton a charge of unlawful possession of a controlled substance was added when the transport deputy found prescription pills in the back of the patrol car.
About 10:15 a.m. last Wednesday, Escambia County Sheriff's Deputy Derrick Lowry was on patrol in the Nokomis area when he noticed the black Cadillac with an expired tag. He initiated a traffic stop and reported one of the occupants was identified as Damien Jenkins, 39, 230 Wilson Ave., Atmore and a passenger.
Deputy Lowry reported smelling what appeared to be marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Both subjects were removed from the vehicle and during a search no marijuana was found, but Lowry reported finding a set of scales.
A warrant check revealed Jenkins had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for failure to appear and he was placed into custody. Sheriff's office reports note Jenkins told Deputy Lowry that he used the scales to weigh marijuana and that he had eaten the marijuana he had in his possession.
Deputy Larry Gross, the transporting officer, reported he had cleared the rear of his patrol car before transporting Jenkins to the detention center. He also reported he noticed Jenkins moving around a lot while in route to the jail.
After Jenkins was removed from the vehicle at the jail, Deputy Gross found a plastic cigarette wrapper that contained four white pills, later identified as Lortab.
In addition to the failure to appear warrant, Jenkins was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.
He was later released on $5,000 bond.
