Escambia Man Gets Federal Prison Time For Firearms And Narcotics Offenses
January 26, 2026
An Escambia County has been sentenced to 17 years in federal on federal drug charges.
Malcolm Terrell Louis, 40, previously plead guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute 5 grams of more of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court records, on December 17, 2024, law enforcement observed a parked vehicle outside a housing complex in Escambia County with the engine running and no one inside. Multiple bags of narcotics including methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, cell phones, and a Glock handgun were observed inside the vehicle. The cell phone was later identified as belonging to Lousi and his fingerprints were on one of the bags of narcotics. The methamphetamine weighed over 50 grams. On March 7, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence that was occupied by Louis and others. Investigators located multiple firearms, ammunition, and multiple bags of narcotics, including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. The methamphetamine weighed over 25 grams. Louis is a multi-time convicted felon, who was released from state prison in 2024 after a five-year sentence.
Thanks to the outstanding work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners, my office was able to deliver this successful prosecution to keep drugs and this dangerous criminal off our streets,” U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin said.
Prison Employee Arrested On Contraband Charge
January 26, 2026
An Alabama Department of Corrections employee was arrested on a contraband charge at Fountain Prison in Atmore.
On Wednesday, the ADOC K-9 teams assigned to Fountain concuted vehicle checkpoints. ADOC said K-9 Gambler alerted to the odor of narcotics in the vehicle of employee Donniquia Grace, and authorities said a “contraband package” were discovered on her person.
Grace was charged with attempting to promote prison contraband third degree and user of position for personal gain. She was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
“She has resigned her from her position with the ADOC,” the agency said in statement. “The investigation is ongoing and further charges may be pending.”
Update: Extreme Cold Warning; Roads And Bridges; School Is In Session Monday
January 25, 2026
Updated: Sunday, 9:00 p.m.
EXTREME COLD
An Extreme Cold Warning is in effect from midnight Sunday until noon Monday for dangerous wind chills (“feels like”) into the single digits. An Extreme Cold Watch is in effect for Monday night.
Highs will struggle to reach 40 on Monday, with overnight lows below freezing every night this week.
For the detailed forecast, click here.
ROADS AND BRIDGES
Out of an abundance of caution, the Escambia County (FL) Road Department will sand roads and bridges from Molino Road north to the Alabama state line**.**
According to the National Weather Service in Mobile, black ice is not expected.
“We are anticipating the dry northwesterly winds in the wake of the front to really aid in drying out the roads this evening. We do not expect black ice later tonight – the roads will be dry by then,” the forecaster wrote.
SCHOOLS
Escambia, FL: Escambia County (FL) Public Schools have not announced any closures or changes for Monday. Escambia Christian School in Pensacola will be closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Santa Rosa, FL: Santa Rosa County District Schools have confirmed that school will be in session on Monday.
Escambia, AL: The Escambia County (AL) School District has specifically announced that schools will be in session as scheduled on Monday with no plans to cancel or delay school. Students may wear school-appropriate winter coats or jackets to stay warm during arrival and dismissal. Escambia Academy will be closed on Monday. Coastal Alabama Community College campuses will have a delayed opening at 11 a.m.
Updated: Extreme Cold Warning Through Monday Morning
January 25, 2026
An Extreme Cold Warning has been issued for the entire North Escambia area.
The Extreme Cold Warning is in effect from midnight Sunday to noon on Monday with dangerously cold wind chills as low as 5 degrees expected. An extreme cold watch is in effect for Monday night through Tuesday morning with wind chills as low as 8 degrees.
An extremely frigid week in ahead, with daytime highs from Monday through the end of the week only in the 30s and 40s, and overnight lows in the 20s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, raing ending, with a low around 24. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 41. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 19. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 46. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 49. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 47.
Friday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday: A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 47.
Cantonment Man Facing Domestic Battery and Weapons Charges
January 25, 2026
A Cantonment man is facing multiple felony charges following a domestic disturbance.
Jesse Allen Hudson, 43, was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and charged with felony battery (domestic violence), tampering with physical evidence, and three counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
According to an arrest report, deputies responded to a residence around 4:38 a.m. on January 21. A victim at the scene told deputies that Hudson had charged at her and knocked her to the ground during an argument. Deputies noted the victim had a laceration on her knee.
During the investigation, the victim reported that a rifle and a pistol were missing from the home. Although Hudson denied taking the weapons, deputies located a loaded rifle hidden inside a laundry basket in a trailer on the property. A loaded magazine was also found inside the residence in a basket Hudson claimed as his own, the report states.
Records checks confirmed Hudson is a convicted felon. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday with bond set $85,000.
Library Book Sale Today: $7 For A Paper Bag Of Books
January 25, 2026
Sunday is the final day of the Friends of the West Florida Public Library 2026 Winter Big Book Sale at the Downtown Library.
Today is the $7 bag sale — a paper grocery bag of books for just $7 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The library is located at 2369 North Spring Street in Pensacola. The sale benefits Friends of the Library projects across Escambia County.
Pictured: Shoppers on Saturday morning at the Friends of the West Florida Public Library 2026 Winter Big Book Sale. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Beulah Middle FFA Chapter Places At District Competition
January 25, 2026
The Beulah Middle School FFA chapter placed in several competitions at the recent district competition.
- 1st Place — Parliamentary Procedure
- 2nd Place — Extemporaneous Public Speaking
- 1st Place — Prepared Public Speaking
- 2nd Place — Creed Public Speaking
- 2nd Place — Opening & Closing Ceremony
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
It Is Literacy Week At Molino Park Elementary With Family Night, Book Fair
January 25, 2026
Next week is Literacy Week at Molino Park Elementary School with a book fair, family literacy night and more.
The Scholastic Book Fair continues through January 30. Each student will receive a $6 voucher from the Molino Park Elementary School PTA.
Family Literacy Night will be Thursday, January 29, from 5:30 until 7 p.m. An RSVP is being sent home with students this week and should be returned by Monday, January 26 so that the PTA knows how much pizza to order.
Book Fair proceeds are used to help fund AR celebrations.
File photo.
Grant Awarded For $1 Million Traffic Light At Walmart In Atmore
January 25, 2026
A state grant has been awarded for a traffic signal on Highway 21 at Walmart in Atmore.
The ATRIP-II grant for $914,000 will require a $113,400 local match for a project total of $1,027,400 for the light at 911 North Main Street, which is state Highway 21.
“Since 2019, Alabama generated more than $2 billion, paving the way for 500 vital road and bridge projects in all 67 counties. None of these projects would have happened without the passage of Rebuild Alabama,” said Gov. Kay Ivey during her State of the State address.
The funding is made available through the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program-II (ATRIP-II), a program created by the Rebuild Alabama Act. The Rebuild Alabama Act requires ATRIP-II to be an annual program setting aside a minimum of $30 million off the top of ALDOT’s share of new gas tax revenue for projects of local interest on the state highway system.
The Walmart traffic signal was the only project awarded in January, in Escambia County. In total, ALDOT announced grant funding for 25 projects totaling just over $40 million.
“Rebuild Alabama continues making generational transportation improvements a reality. I am proud to award funds towards these 25 projects. Our success with Rebuild Alabama will only continue,” said Ivey.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Escambia Man Pleads Guilty To Threatening To Kill Police Detective
January 25, 2026
An Escambia County man has pleaded guilty to threatening to kill a police detective.
Tamal W. Jenkins, 19, pleaded guilty in federal court for interstate threatening communication with intent to extort.
Court documents state that in July 2025 the Pensacola Police Department arrested suspects in a homicide investigation. Within days of the arrest, one of the Pensacola Police Detectives involved in the investigation received an electronic message making threats against her life for taking a suspect into custody. Law enforcement traced the threatening messages back to a device belonging to Jenkins.
Jenkins faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment upon sentencing, which is scheduled for April 14