Two Atmore men were arrested recently on drug-related charges, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said the drug arrests came from serving divorce papers and a traffic stop.

The arrests are listed below by name:
Gary Dewayne Heathcock

Lambert said on Aug. 2, 2017, at 3:30 p.m., Capt. Greg Forbes with the ECSO, pulled up to a residence to serve Heathcock divorce papers.

“The deputy walked up and observed a half-rolled up cigar that appeared to be a leafy plant material inside of it,” he said. “Mr. Heathcock’s behavior led Forbes to wonder if he was under the influence of something.”

Lambert said Heathcock gave a spontaneous statement to Forbes that he had been smoking spice all day, and it was determined that spice was in the hand-rolled cigar.

Lambert said Heathcock was arrested for possession of a controlled substance while already out on bond. Additionally, he has other charges on him in relation to his bond.
Broderick Edford Autrey Jr.

Lambert said on July 29, 2017, at 8:20 p.m., he was on patrol and stopped a vehicle on Smith Dairy Road in Atmore.

“While on patrol, I stopped a vehicle on smith Dairy Road in which Autrey was a passenger,” Lambert said. “I approached the vehicle and saw the passenger toss what appeared to be an orange package out of the window.”

Lambert said he went over to pick the package up and inside of it contained a green, leafy substance.

“Autrey was mirandized and questioned, and admitted it contained synthetic marijuana and or spice,” he said.

Lambert said Autrey was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center, where he was released on July 31, on a $5,000 bond.