DTF seizes meth, child porn
Published 9:35 am Monday, September 11, 2006
By By Adam Prestridge
Drug task force officials continued Friday to investigate the scene where a drug bust led to at least one charge involving child pornography.
Four men were arrested in the Wednesday raid on charges ranging from possession of a controlled substance to manufacturing of pornographic material involving a minor.
Officials would say little about the pornography, although it was apparently produced locally. Drug Task Force Commander Keith Hutchins said such a discovery is not new – although this type was unusual.
"We have found (pornography) before," Hutchins said. "But it's not something we run across every day. It's not usually of the homemade variety."
Officials responded Wednesday to the report of a suspicious vehicle in a wooded area on Butler Street north of Atmore. At the scene, Hutchins said, they found Clifton Buckhault of Atmore in possession of crystal methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia.
K-9 officers then tracked Buckhault to the homes of twins Mike Parker at 280 Bucks Lane and Mark Parker at 330 Bucks Lane in Atmore. Agents recovered crystal meth, drug paraphernalia and firearms, including what is believed to be a machine gun, officials said.
Charges in the case include:
Officials also arrested Carrington Allen Pickens, 37, of 2490 Ross Road in Atmore, after he drove up on the scene and was found in possession of marijuana, according to a release from the drug task force.
Sheriff Grover Smith said officials will be meeting with District Attorney Steve Billy to determine whether any more charges will result from the discovery of the pornographic material.
"People don't want to believe things like that go on in our county, but they do," Smith said.
Officials with the task force, Escambia County Sheriff's Department, Flomaton Police Department, Atmore Police Department and an aircraft unit from Escambia County, Fla., were involved with the case.
The 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force is comprised of the following law enforcement agencies: Escambia County Sheriff's Department, Atmore Police Department, East Brewton Police Department, Brewton Police Department, Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County District Attorney's Office and the Escambia County Commission.
The task force receives half of its funding from a grant provided by the Bureau of Justice Affairs Division of the U.S. Justice Department and administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The remainder of the funding is provided by the Escambia County Sheriff's Department, Atmore Police Department, Brewton Police Department and the Escambia County District Attorney's Office.