By By Lisa Tindell
Law enforcement officers raided what one called a “shot house” Sunday night, arresting 37 people, mainly on charges of the illegal sale and consumption of alcohol.
Alabama Beverage Control officers worked with the county’s drug task force in the raid at an Etheridge Street address.
Lt. Lance Price with ABC’s enforcement division said 37 area residents were arrested on a total 43 charges in Sunday night’s raid.
The individuals were arrested at 104 Etheridge St. in Atmore on a variety of charges with the majority of those arrested charged with consumption of alcohol on Sunday, which is illegal in Escambia County, Price said.
Escambia County Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said the location is in a residential area of the city.
Those arrested and charged with the consuming alcohol in a public place on Sunday were Tommy Terrell Dortch, David Labarron Fountain, Robert Earl Poodle, Robert Montgomery, Jackie Lee Tucker, Kennedy Crook, Anthony Karl Betts, Gwendolyn Boston, Christopher Oneal Brown, Larry Brown, Felica Banks Bullard, Marquita Marie Cooper, Curley Johnson, Elbert Lambert, Tomorrion Knight, Robert Earl Lee, Willie Louis Lee, Rosalind Denise Leslie, Timothy D. Lucas, Carl Martin, James Arthur Maye, Wanda Montgomery Mims, Lee Mitchell, Tonia McCants, Derrick McCracken, Vanessa Elaine McNeal, Kenyon Nikos Riley, Robert Simmons, Leon Spencer, Kimberly Williams and Sarah Pogue Williams.
Willie Wiggins and Willie Calhoun Jr. were also arrested and charged with consuming alcohol in a public place as well as possession of marijuana, second degree; and carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.
Charles Frye and Sharron Frye, both of Etheridge Drive, were arrested and charged with possession of untaxed alcohol, two counts of possession to sell; two counts of selling alcohol without a license and sell of alcohol on Sunday. All charges are misdemeanors.
Also arrested and charged with felonies were Gary Hollins and Diana Wiggins for first-degree possession of marijuana and consuming alcohol in a public place on Sunday. Hollins was also charged with a felony count of possession of a controlled substance.
Price said the raid and arrests were made after officers with his department received multiple complaints concerning the sale of alcohol at the location.
Atmore Police Officers Paige Howell and Scott Walden, who are assigned to the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force Unit, assisted in the raid arresting those in possession of illegal drugs officials said.
Price also said a business license was posted in the location, but the license expired in 2009.
See mugshots of those arrested during the raid on Page 5A.