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.”
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.
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
Escambia County Value Adjustment Board Seeks Volunteers
January 25, 2026
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an at-large appointment to the Escambia County Board of Adjustment.
Members serve a two-year term of office and meet at 8:30 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Travel is not required. Financial disclosure is required.
Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the Escambia County Board of Adjustment to begin serving in February 2026 are asked to submit a resume indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Monday, January 26.
Resumes should be submitted to Rachel Whitmire, 3363 West Park Place, Pensacola, FL 32505; or emailed to rwhitmire@myescambia.com.
Century Utility Bills Are Running Late; Here’s What To Know.
January 24, 2026
Town of Century utility January bills were delayed this month, but customers will still have time to pay without penalties or service disconnects.
Town officials said the delays were due to a meter changeout project by a contractor, in addition to the holidays. The bills were mailed from a service provider in Pensacola on Tuesday and are now arriving in customer mailboxes.
While the current January bills have a due date of January 25, residents will have until February 25 to pay the bills before facing disconnects and penalties. Officials noted that December bills not paid by Monday, January 26 will be subject to disconnect.
Residents who have not received their January bill may call the town at (850) 256-3208 to find their amount due or request that a copy of their bill be emailed. Alternatively, they can stop by the office to pick up a copy of their bill or make a payment.
Pictured: A sample Town of Century utility bill. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FloridaCommerce Reports Decrease In Escambia County Unemployment
January 24, 2026
The Escambia County area unemployment rate decreased, according to data released Friday by FloridaCommerce.
The area’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in December 2025, a 0.4% decrease from the November 2025 rate of 5.6%. A year ago, the unemployment rate in Escambia County was 3.4%.
That represented 7,637 people unemployed out of a labor force of 147,631.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3% in December 2025, up 0.1 percentage point from the November 2025 rate, and up 0.9 percentage point from a year ago.