On August 20, 2025, the Chipley Police Department arrested Joel Echols for charges out of this agency following an attempted traffic stop initiated by an officer in a marked patrol car with emergency lights activated.
Mr. Echols actively resisted by attempting to evade the stop. During this attempt, he removed a glass pipe, later field-tested positive for methamphetamine, and a baggie containing a green leafy substance, field-tested positive for marijuana, from his right pocket and threw them in an effort to conceal or destroy the evidence.
Mr. Echols was charged with violating Florida Statutes, including resisting an officer without violence, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and altering, destroying, or concealing physical evidence.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.
