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An Atmore man was arrested June 30 on drug and forbidden to possess firearm charges after being pulled over for not having his headlights on, according to officials.

Atmore Police Department Public Information Officer Sgt. Darrell McMann said Anthony Armstrong, 57, was charged with driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm and possession of an altered firearm.

McMann said the arrest stemmed after Armstrong was pulled over by an APD officer at approximately 11:30 p.m. on June 30 because he was driving without headlights.

McMann said the officer contacted Armstrong, and then detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage about Armstrong’s person, adding that his speech was slurred.
“The officer asked Armstrong if he would perform a roadside Standardized Field Sobriety Test,” McMann said in a release. “Armstrong was unable to perform the SFST adequately as was placed under arrest for driving under the influence.”

McMann said during a search of Armstrong’s vehicle, the officer discovered a straw containing a white powdery substance that field tested positive for cocaine.

“A handgun was located beneath the driver’s seat,” McMann added. “Armstrong has been designated by the State of Alabama as a person forbidden to possess a firearm due to a prior felony conviction. Upon examining the firearm, the officers discovered it had been altered to where the serial number, make and model of the firearm could not be determined.”

Armstrong was also issued a traffic citation for driving with a suspended license, and was then transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.