Sex offender back behind bars

A registered sexual predator from Escambia County, Fla., who was living in Atmore is back behind bars after being charged with sending obscene photographs to a 15-year old.

Ernest Powell III, 40, 178 Maxwell St., Atmore, was arrested by Atmore police Monday, July 13 and charged with transmitting obscene material to a child by computer. He is being held at the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on $500,000 bond.

Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks reported that an investigator with the police department received a report July 9 from the parents of a 15-year old girl claiming an adult male had sent the child sexually explicit photos from a cellular device while the juvenile was working at a local business.

An investigation was launched and police learned that the suspect, identified as Powell, was a registered sex offender from the state of Florida.

Powell was taken into custody Monday.

The arrest warrant states that Powell sent a nude picture from his cell phone to the child for the purpose of initiating or engaging in sexual acts with the child.

Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff's Investigator Bruce Shue said records show Powell was convicted on Dec. 1, 1998 for sexual battery of a person more than 65 years old following a burglary of the victim's home.

He was sentenced to 20 years with the Florida Department of Corrections.

Shue said Powell registered as a sex offender in Escambia County, Ala., in November, 2018, once he was released from prison.