JULY PRESS RELEASE

July 6, 2010

        On July 5, 2010, Investigators with the Covington County Sheriff's Office arrested Amanda Lynn Cook, 23, of Andalusia. Cook was arrested and charged with Rape 2nd Degree (B felony), Sodomy 2nd Degree (B felony), and Possession of Obscene Matter Containing Visual Depiction of Person Under 17 Years of Age Involved in Obscene Acts (C felony). Cook was booked into the County Jail under a $30,000.00 bond.
        Sheriff's Deputies on patrol came in contact with Cook and a 15 year old male at Point A Park in the early morning hours on Tuesday July 5th. When deputies approached the pair, it was apparent the two had been engaged in consensual sexual activity. Deputies notified the "on call" Investigator, Investigator Howard West who investigated this case. Cook and the juvenile were interviewed and both have cooperated during the investigation. Cook was also in possession of an image of the juvenile of an explicit nature.
        Cook made bond Tuesday afternoon and was released from the County Jail. Further charges as a result of this investigation could be brought at a later date.

                                                  Amanda Lynn Cook

July 28, 2010

      On July 28th, 2010, an employee with the Covington County Engineer Department reported to the Sheriff's Office that someone had cut steel I - beams of of the historic Hart's Bridge next to the new cement bridge on Hart's Bridge Road in the Mobley Creek Community. Deputy Mike Vigor went to the scene to document the damage and to look for any recoverable evidence. Deputy Vigor caught several men using a welders torch to cut steel beams from the old bridge structure. One man, Eric Wayne Haskew, 21, of Brewton, fled on foot. Deputy Vigor detained the other three men until C. C. S. O. Investigators could arrive. Cody Brian Grantham, 20, of Brewton, Joshua Allen Gradeless, 19, of East Brewton, and a third man from Brewton were interviewed. Grantham and Gradeless confessed to taking the steel from the bridge and the third man had nothing to do with the thefts and damage. The third man was released without charges. C. C. S. O. Investigator Greg Jackson is the lead Investigator on this case and was able to work quickly to identify the fourth suspect, Haskew who had fled on foot. Haskew is wanted by the Covington County Sheriff's Office for his part in the thefts. Grantham and Gradeless are both charged with Theft of Property 1st Degree, a class B felony ($20,000 bond) and Criminal Mischief 1st Degree, a class C felony ($10,000 bond). Sheriff Meeks said, "It is sad to see an important piece of Covington County history violated like this. Their behavior is absolutely unacceptable and we intend to hold them to the fullest accountability under the law."

                                                                    Historic Hart's Bridge

                                              Cody Brian Grantham,              Arrested

                                                    Joshua Allen Gradeless,          Arrested

                      Eric Wayne Haskew,     

--------------------------------------------------------------------UPDATE           July 29, 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------

Eric Wayne Haskew was taken into custody this morning by Alabama Probation and Parole Officers in Escambia County, Alabama. Haskew was an Alabama probationer and is being held at present in the Escambia County Jail for Violation of Probation. Haskew will face charges here in Covington County for his part in the thefts from the historic Hart's Bridge in the Mobley Creek Community. Haskew will face charges of Theft of Property 1st Degree and and Criminal Mischief 1st degree.