A Friday afternoon traffic stop at the intersection of Martin Luther King Avenue and Carver Avenue turned up a concealed weapon that peaked the interest of law enforcement agents.

Officers with the Atmore Police Department, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and the Alabama State Troopers, along with an agent with the Alabama Bureau of Investigations converged on the scene after Trooper Cameron Fillingam pulled over a red Ford Mustang driven by Denard D. Stephens at approximately 5 p.m.

Stevens was found to be driving without proof of insurance and was in possession of a handgun with the serial number filed off officers said.

Pending further investigation, officers were unable to confirm or refute the gun’s legality and transported Stephens to the local sub station pending further results.

He was later charged with criminal tampering and obstructing a governmental operation and taken into custody.
Stephens was released Monday on $5,000 bond.

Authorities are on high alert in the Atmore area after a string of shootings last week in several different areas and local law enforcement agents have said all departments will be out “in force” cracking down on violations of all kinds in order to reduce dangers on local streets and bring in suspects related to the shootings.