Traffic stops net drug charges in E. Brewton

In its continuing effort to keep drugs out of the city, the East Brewton Police Department has arrested four people on drug charges that include methamphetamine, spice and hydrocodone pills.

Kristen Nicole Hastings, 27, 1082 Dixon Nursery Road, Brewton, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance (hydrocodone); Stephanie Mendibles, 33, 5900 Ridge Road, Brewton, was charged with unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of a controlled substance (meth); Brandon Edward Andrews, 39, 3009 Ridge Road, Brewton, charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance (meth); and Terrance Devon Culliver, 50, 186 Justice, Ave., Luverne, was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance (spice and meth) and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Hastings

On Nov. 6, East Brewton Police Cpl. Brandon Mealer stopped a red Toyota pickup truck belonging to Terry Hastings for failure to use a turn signal.

According to reports, Mealer made contact with the occupants he identified as Terry Hastings and Kristen Nicole Scroggins Hastings.

Mealer reported as he talked to the two individuals they acted nervous and he asked if there was anything illegal in the vehicle and they said 'No'. They also refused consent to search.

Sgt. Paige Howell arrived on the scene with his K-9 Bruiser, who alerted on the driver side door. A female officer was called to search Kristen Hastings and found four hydrocodone pills. She was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.

Mendibles-Andrews

On Nov. 20, East Brewton Officer Charlie Land conducted a traffic stop on a black vehicle for a broken tail light.

According to reports, when Land approached the vehicle he identified the driver as Brandon Andrews and the passenger at Stephanie Mendibles. Two deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office arrived to back up Officer Land.

The reports note while Land was checking drivers' licenses on the computer a sheriff's deputy at the passenger window noticed a loaded syringe that the driver was sitting on. Land asked the driver to step out of the vehicle and found the syringe. The liquid tested positive for meth. A further search revealed another loaded syringe on a clipboard with a piece of mail with Stephanie Mendibles' name on the mail.

Reports state Mendibles claimed possession of the clipboard and stated it was hers. The liquid inside the syringe also tested positive for meth.

A metal box found inside the vehicle contained an unloaded syringe and a straw. A set of scales was also found in the center console.

Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Escambia County Detention Center.

Culliver

On Nov. 19, Officer Land was attempting to make contact with an individual walking on the right side of the roadway with his back toward the traffic and initiated his blue lights. The individual, later identified as Culliver began running into the W.S. Neal High School area. Land pursued on foot and noted Culliver tripped and fell to the ground. Land placed handcuffs on the suspect and took him back to his patrol car.

Reports state Culliver said he ran because he knew he had warrants for his arrest with the East Brewton Police Department.

When the officer patted him down he reported finding a bag containing a clear crystal substance that later tested positive for meth. The officer also recovered a pipe and a green and white cigarette box containing a partially smoked spice cigarette.

Land noted Culliver was bleeding from his fall and he called EMS to check him out. After he was bandaged he was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center.