Pettis involved in traffic stop in Atmore, drugs confiscated

An Appleton Road man is facing a slew of drug charges after being arrested Thursday.

Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said that deputies arrested 60-year-old Malcolm “Ross” Pettis at his home at 6652 Appleton Road.

“After a three-week investigation into the illegal narcotics allegations taking place in violation of the law by Mr. Pettis, deputies secured warrants for his arrest,” Lambert said.

Pettis was arrested around 5 p.m., Thursday, at his residence without incident.

Lambert said when deputies arrested Pettis, they found him to be in possession of pills identified as Xanax, as well as a pipe.

Lambert said once they arrived at the Escambia County Detention Center, a search yielded a bag of white substance which was determined to be crystal meth.

Pettis was initially arrested on eight charges, including leaving the scene of an accident, possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, three counts of possession of a controlled substance – pills, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of drug prescription required.

After he was arrested, four charges were added due to the possession at the time of arrest.

Those charges are two counts of possession of a controlled substance – one for the Xanax and one for crystal meth.

He was also charged with promoting prison contraband second degree and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lambert said that Pettis was currently out on bond in Escambia County, as well as Conecuh County and is on probation in Florida.

On Jan. 26, Pettis was arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop in Atmore, where officers also found meth.

He was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police reports show that Pettis was seen swerving as well as driving erratically.

When he gave consent to a search of his vehicle, officers found meth behind the car and reports show that Pettis made an attempt to swallow another substance.

Court records show that Pettis was arrested on Oct. 7, 2017 in Santa Rosa County, Fla., for fleeing/eluding police and resisting an officer.