Brewton man jailed on cocaine charge

A Brewton man who was pulled over by law enforcement in Pensacola for a missing headlight now faces a felony drug charge after cocaine was discovered in his pocket.

Roshell Michael Benson, 34, 100 Harrison Ave., was traveling east on New Warrington Road and Jackson Street in Pensacola on March 13 with a missing passenger headlight and was spotted by a sheriff's deputy, according to an Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office report.

The officer conducted a traffic stop at the Super 8 Motel on Mobile Highway and approached the driver, identified as Benson. The report said Benson told the officer that he had just gotten pulled over for the same thing a few minutes prior, although the officer was unable to verify through a records check.

The officer then called for a K9 deputy, who arrived on scene and said there was a probable cause to search the vehicle. Benson's Alabama driver's license was suspended in January, 2024, the report indicated.

Benson was arrested for driving without a license. While searching Benson, a deputy discovered a white rock in Benson's left front pocket, which field tested positive for cocaine.

Benson was given a verbal warning for driving without a headlight. He was arrested for driving without a driver's license and felony possession of a controlled substance and transported to Escambia County Jail in Pensacola. His total bond was set at $3,000.