Two Arrested After Three ‘One Pot’ Meth Labs Found In Bratt (With Photo Gallery)
November 9, 2011
[Exclusive] The discovery of a methamphetamine lab at a mobile home in Bratt led to the arrest of two people on multiple drug charges.
Working on an anonymous tip early Tuesday evening, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office developed information that a meth lab was located at the home in 4200 block of Rigby Road, just south of West Highway 4.
After obtaining a search warrant late Tuesday night, investigators with the county’s Narcotics Unit located three “one pot” methamphetamine labs in the residence, at least one of which was active. They also found a variety of drug paraphernalia and an active “gas generator”.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
For video of the cleanup, click here.
Mark Steven McGhee, age 44 of Rigby Road in Bratt, and 24-year old Charissa Leigh Clarke of North Highway 99 in Walnut Hill, were taken into custody at the scene. They were charged with possession of methamphetamine/trafficking, two counts of possession of an illicit chemical and manufacturing methamphetamine. They were booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $40,500.
According to investigators, the mobile home’s electricity was disconnected and an extension cord to a neighboring home was being used for power. They said the home had no running water, and it appeared that a lawn chair with a large hole in the seat was being used as an improvised toilet behind the residence.
A hazardous materials team from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response unit responded to the scene to neutralize the meth labs and associated chemicals about 2 a.m. Wednesday.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
For video of the cleanup, click here.
Pictured top: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response unit hazardous materials teams works to neutralize an the “one pot” meth labs about 2 a.m. Wednesday in Bratt. Pictured top inset: Charissa Leigh Clarke is taken into custodyby Deputy George Kichler. Pictured bottom inset: Three “one pot” meth labs located inside a Bratt mobile home. Pictured below: Deputy James Gilman (left) places Mark Steven McGhee into a patrol vehicle. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt Park Renamed For Fallen Marine
November 9, 2011
LCpl Travis Nelson left behind a short, simple note just in case he did return from the battlefield in Afghanistan.
“Dear friends and family, if you are reading this, I didn’t get to come home. I love each and every one of you. I have no regrets, I died for a meaningful cause.”
Nelson was killed August 18 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was just two weeks after his 19th birthday and only about a month after he arrived in Afghanistan.
Family, friends, community leaders and government officials including Congressman Jeff Miller gathered Tuesday afternoon at a new county park on Highway 4 in Bratt to unveil a monument in his honor and official dedicate the park as the Travis M. Nelson Park. As a young boy, Nelson grew up in house just two doors down from the site of the park.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
“He played right on these very grounds,” Scott Nelson said standing in the park named for his son. “He’d shoot his BB gun, ride his go cart.”
“He had the biggest go cart in all of Bratt,” his mother, Beckie Nelson, said.
“”I think it’s great. Even for our family to see for years to come. And our children, our grandchildren, I think it’s fantastic,” Scott Nelson said. “It’s an honor… a big honor,” Beckie Nelson added.
“Indeed we are free, but our freedom is far from being free. I challenge you to take advantage of this very special place the LCpl. Travis Nelson Park and each time you come and look at this monument, remember the sacrifice that not only Travis made for you, but the sacrifice his family will make each day of their life from this moment forward,” said longtime family friend Janet Little Cooper.
Pictured above: The family of Lance Cpl. Travel Nelson react Tuesday afternoon to the unveiling of a monument in his honor at the Travis M. Nelson Park on on West Highway 4. Pictured: (L-R) Nelson’s fiancee Madeline Cates, Louise Nelson, sister Anna Nelson, and parents Scott and Beckie Nelson. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Bond Set For Sisters Charged With Murder In Fire Deaths
November 9, 2011
The mothers of three children who died in a house fire last week in Atmore were in court Tuesday afternoon where a judge set their bond at $300,000 each.
Akeevia Lajoseia Abner and Tekeevia Lajoseialan Abner, both 18, were arrested Monday for three counts of reckless murder of 3-year olds Aniyia Abner and Takia Abner, and 22-month old Michael Coleman. The women face up to life in prison on each count if convicted.
A State Fire Marshal’s investigation determined the fire on 1st Street last Wednesday night was caused by an unattended stove. Authorities say the mothers had left the children home alone while they were elsewhere in the neighborhood.
“They showed an extreme indifference to these children’s lives and created a grave risk of death to the children by leaving them home alone on November 2, 2011,” according to the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney’s Office.
Two of the children were found dead in a hallway while the third was found in a bedroom. And prosecutors said that a mattress was blocking the living room door.
Forensics evidence determined that three young children died from smoke inhalation, authorities said.
Funeral services for the children will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the New Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 1712 M.L. King Avenue in Atmore. The Rev. Dr. Harold Askew will be officiating.
For earlier stories about the fire, including photos from the aftermath of the fire Wednesday night, click here and click here.
Pictured below: The aftermath a fire November 2 in Atmore that claimed the lives of three young children. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Volleyball, Cross Country, Golf Athletes Honored
November 9, 2011
Several Northview High students were honored during a recent Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet for their participation in volleyball, cross country and golf.
Northview Chiefs honored were:
Escambia Paramedic Gets Probation For Faked Shooting
November 9, 2011
An Escambia County paramedic who faked his own shooting has pleaded no contest to the charges against him.
On January 28, Escambia County deputies responded to the 1100 block of W. Hayes Street and found that Richie had been shot in the shoulder. Richie told deputies that he was retrieving an item from a bag located inside his ambulance when someone tapped him on the back. As he turned around he was shot. Two weeks later, he admitted that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.
He was sentenced to three years probation for fraud and filing a false report. He will also be responsible for court costs and will undergo mental health counseling.
Pictured top: An Escambia County EMS medic claimed to be shot January 28 on Hayes Street in Pensacola. Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Poarch Man Pleads Guilty In Child Sex Abuse Case
November 9, 2011
An Escambia County, Ala., man pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to charges that he sexually abused three young boys.
Dustin O. Raybon of Poarch entered the plea, ending his ongoing trial for sexual contact with a child younger than 12. The boys, which were Raybon’s relatives, were reportedly abused in 2003 on the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation near Atmore.
Raybon’s plea came under an agreement with prosecutors to recommend a light sentence of less than three years and registration as sex offender for the abuse of a 3-year old. Another boy, now 13, testified that he was sexually abused by Raybon when he was 5 or 6. Another male victim, age 8, testified that Raybon engaged him in oral sex in April 2011.
Video: Bratt Meth Lab Cleanup
November 9, 2011
Video shows a hazardous materials team from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response unit neutralize “one pot” meth labs and associated chemicals about 2 a.m. Wednesday in Bratt.
For the complete story, click here.
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Atmore Motorcyclist Injured In Cantonment Traffic Crash
November 8, 2011
An Atmore motorcyclist was seriously injured when he collided with a SUV and a pickup Tuesday afternoon in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol says 22-year Joshua T. Daniel was northbound on Highway 29 near Tate School Road about 3:30 p.m. on a Yamaha motorcycle when he struck the rear of a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 40-year old Rebecca Mills of Cantonment and the muffler of a Chevrolet Silverado driven 17-year old Joshua Ingram.
According to the FHP, Mills slowed at a traffic light when Ingram veered to the left to avoid her SUV. Daniel unsuccessfully tried to avoid a collision by veering to the left. Daniel was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Mills, Ingram and a passenger in Ingram’s pickup – 16-year old Victoria Ingram — were not injured.
Daniel was cited for careless driving, according to the FHP.
The Cantonment Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the incident
Pictured: One person was injured in this accident involving a SUV and motorcycle at Highway 29 and Tate School Road Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Mothers Arrested For Murder In Fire Deaths Of 3 Kids; Funeral Services Announced
November 8, 2011
The mothers of three children killed in an Atmore house fire last week were arrested Monday for murder.
The twin sisters, Akeevia Lajoseia Abner and Tekeevia Lajoseialan Abner, both 18, were arrested Monday for three counts of the reckless murder of 3-year old Aniyia Abner, 3-year old Takia Abner and 22-month old Michael Coleman. The arrest followed an investigation by the Alabama State Fire Marshal, Atmore Fire Department and the Atmore Police Department.
“They showed an extreme indifference to these children’s lives and created a grave risk of death to the children by leaving them home alone on November 2, 2011,” according to a press release from Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney Steve Billy.
They perished in a fire which was apparently caused from leaving a stove unattended, according to a preliminary fire marshal report.
They were taken into custody by the State Fire Marshal and booked into the Escambia County Detention Center Monday without bond, pending a bond hearing.
Funeral services for the children will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the New Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 1712 M.L. King Avenue in Atmore. The Rev. Dr. Harold Askew will be officiating.
For earlier stories about the fire, including photos from the aftermath of the fire Wednesday night, click here and click here.
Pictured below: This photo shows the oven door propped open inside the kitchen of a home were three children died in a house fire Wednesday night.
McDonald Named Molino Park Elementary Teacher Of Year
November 8, 2011
Twinette McDonald has been named Teacher of the Year at Molino Park Elementary School. She is the school’s music educator.
Pictured: Teacher of Year Twinette McDonald leads students recently at Molino Park Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.