A routine traffic stop made over the weekend by a deputy with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department ended with three men in jail on drug charges, according to police.

Paige Howell, an agent with the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force, said Deputy Danny Lambert executed a traffic stop on North Main Street near Harold Allen Mobile Homes after a vehicle backed out of a driveway at 110 Swift Street without using headlights Saturday and discovered crack cocaine in the vehicle.

Howell said when he arrived on the scene the driver, 34-year-old Timothy Finklea, had already been stopped by Lambert and the cocaine had been found.

“That led to two other arrests,” Howell said.

Kendrick Staples, 21, and Victor McKenzie, 23, were also taken into custody. Howell said Staples was found to be in possession of marijuana, which was hidden in his shoe, while McKenzie was found to have outstanding warrants in Escambia County.
Howell said Staples was charged with possession of marijuana. Both men were released from Atmore jail.

Finklea was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on charges of possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, and possession of marijuana in the second degree.

Finklea was later released on $5,000 bond.