Three Alabama Officials Arrested in Atmore Sting
Rep. Brett Easterbrook, a School Board President and Orange Beach’s Public Works Director were among 17 arrested in undercover operation
TL;DR: An Atmore hotel sting led to 17 arrests, including three Alabama public officials. Two have resigned. Prosecutors moved to reduce the trafficking charges against Rep. Brett Easterbrook and Kory Wesley to attempted trafficking. Easterbrook is not on the November ballot, as he is not seeking reelection
Three Alabama public officials were among 17 people arrested in an undercover prostitution sting at an Atmore hotel, according to WEAR News.
The arrests included Republican State Rep. Brett Easterbrook of Fruitdale, Satsuma City School Board President Kory Wesley and Orange Beach Public Works Director Timothy Tucker. Wesley and Tucker have since resigned.
Easterbrook and Wesley were arrested Friday, Oct. 2, and initially charged with first-degree human trafficking. Easterbrook also was charged with soliciting prostitution. Wesley faces an additional charge of attempting to elude law enforcement.
On Monday, the Alabama Reflector reported that prosecutors moved to reduce both men’s trafficking charges to attempted human trafficking. Prosecutors wrote that no actual victim was involved because the arrests came through a sting.
WEAR reported that court documents allege Easterbrook agreed to pay $500 for sex with an escort. Tucker, 65, was charged with soliciting prostitution after allegedly agreeing to pay more than $200 for sex.
Police used online ads to draw suspects to a hotel, where officers were waiting. The operation ran Oct. 1–3. Authorities have not named the hotel but said it was not Wind Creek Casino.
“When you’re looking at these websites and these advertisements, it might be a cop,” Atmore Police Maj. Charles Thompson told WEAR.
NorthEscambia.com reported that Atmore police worked with seven other agencies, including the Escambia, Monroe and Clarke County Sheriff’s offices, Poarch Tribal Police and police from Bay Minette, Flomaton and Brewton.
The arrests have already forced changes in two local agencies.
Satsuma City Schools said Wesley resigned Sunday evening. The Mayor and City Council will move to fill his seat.
Orange Beach confirmed Tucker’s departure and named Tyler Davidson as the new public works director.
“Tucker has submitted his resignation from his position with the City,” the city said.
Easterbrook has served in the Alabama House since 2018, and is not seeking reelection. The Alabama Secretary of State’s official Washington County sample ballot lists Republican John Knapp and independent Elaine Beech for District 65 in the Nov. 3 general election. No Democratic candidate is listed.
The charges remain allegations. As always, all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The WEAR report on the arrests and sting operation may be seen on YouTube and below:
