Investigation spurred by August drive-by shooting

Three people were arrested Thursday on drug charges after a months-long investigation that followed a drive-by type shooting on Oak Street in August.

Officers with the Andalusia Police Dept., the Drug Task Force, the Covington County IRT, Opp Police Department, Covington County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), served the warrant at 304 Oak Street in Andalusia.

Jarvis Shakespeare of Andalusia, 23, Derrick Dorsey of Andalusia, 22, and Felicia Woods of Andalusia, 49, were arrested.

Shakespeare and Dorsey were both charged with possession of marijuana 1st degree, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, with bond set at $23,000. Woods was charged with possession of marijuana 1st degree and possession of drug paraphernalia, with a bond of $13,000.

Officers confiscated several ounces of marijuana along with synthetic marijuana (aka “spice”), ecstasy pills and an AR-15 style rifle.

The drive-by shooting occurred in August after a botched drug deal, according to testimony by Andalusia Investigator Cody Warren in a related case last month. When two Mississippi men attempted to make a drug buy, the would-be sellers took their money and ran. Shots were fired. The Mississippi men went back to their vehicle, returned to the area, and fired shots toward the Oak Street house with an AR-15.

Several people involved in the exchange were charged, and one Mississippi man is facing three attempted murder charges.

That case led to an investigation of drug activity in the area. Drug Task Force Commander Mark Odom said the investigation is still active and more arrests are forthcoming.

“When this started, I met with the chief and other members of the Andalusia Police Department and asked them to put a stop to this,” Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson said. “Our officers have worked really hard, and spent time in Mississippi and Georgia on this case. Their hard work and perseverance have paid off.

“We will not rest until all of this is cleaned up and prosecuted,” Johnson said.

Andalusia Police Chief Paul Hudson said, “I commend all investigators and officers for their dedication and perseverance in pursuing leads in this case to take more drugs, weapons and criminals off the street.”