Orange Beach Public Works Director Out After Arrest in Atmore Prostitution Sting; Tyler Davidson Takes Over

ATMORE, Ala. — The Orange Beach public works director arrested last week in a multi-agency undercover prostitution sting in Escambia County is no longer employed by the city, and a successor took over the department Monday morning. Timothy “Tim” Tucker, 65, was charged with prostitution and was one of 17 people arrested in the operation, which Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson said took place in Atmore between Thursday, Oct. 1, and Saturday, Oct. 3.

Update, Oct. 7, 2026: Tim Tucker had led Orange Beach’s public works department since at least 2016, overseeing a wide range of city services. He faces only a misdemeanor prostitution charge and, unlike two other officials arrested in the Atmore sting, is not accused of seeking sex with someone he believed was a minor.

Latest developments: Tucker’s role and charge

A long tenure over a broad department

Tucker had served as Orange Beach’s director of public works since at least 2016. A description of his job in a 2016 lawsuit says he was responsible for the city’s street, refuse, maintenance, custodial, landscape, ballfield and golf course, and beach departments.

That list shows how much of the city’s daily operations fell under the public works director: the streets residents drive on, garbage pickup, upkeep of city buildings, landscaping, the city’s athletic fields and golf course, and the beaches that anchor the local tourism economy. Those are the responsibilities Tyler Davidson, named director effective immediately, now takes on.

Only a misdemeanor charge

Tucker faces a single misdemeanor prostitution charge. Atmore police described it as soliciting prostitution. He is not accused of soliciting someone he believed to be a minor.

That sets his case apart from those of state Rep. Brett Easterbrook and former Satsuma City Schools Board President Kory Wesley. Criminal complaints filed against those two men allege they sought sex with a person they believed was under 19. Prosecutors have since moved to reduce their first-degree human trafficking charges to attempted human trafficking, a Class B felony, because the sting involved no actual victim. All three men are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Sting run from an Atmore hotel

Sheriff Heath Jackson had declined to disclose exactly where in Atmore the operation took place. Atmore police have now said it was conducted out of a hotel in the city, though they did not name it.

Tucker was the third public official identified among those arrested. State Rep. Brett Easterbrook, R-Fruitdale, and Satsuma City Schools Board of Education President Kory Wesley were also taken into custody during the operation. All of the people arrested are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court.

Orange Beach public works director replaced as of Monday

The City of Orange Beach addressed the arrest in a brief statement. “The City of Orange Beach has been made aware of an incident involving Public Works Director Tim Tucker that occurred outside the City of Orange Beach,” the city said. “Tucker has submitted his resignation from his position with the City.”

City Administrator Ford Handley confirmed that Tucker is no longer with the city and said he had been replaced as of Monday morning, Oct. 5. Handley declined to discuss the arrest itself, saying the criminal matter belongs to another jurisdiction.

“Tucker is no longer employed by the City. Because the incident involving Tucker is being handled by another jurisdiction, the City will not comment further on those proceedings.” — Orange Beach City Administrator Ford Handley

The city has also removed Tucker’s profile from its website. Beyond its statements, the city declined to comment further on the arrest.

Tyler Davidson named new public works director

Orange Beach named Tyler Davidson as its new public works director, effective immediately. City officials described him as a leader who already knows the department’s work.

“Davidson brings extensive experience in public works operations and has a strong understanding of the City’s infrastructure, services and ongoing projects,” Handley said. “His leadership will provide continuity for the department and ensure the high level of service Orange Beach residents, businesses and visitors expect.”

The city added: “The City is confident in Davidson’s ability to lead the department and looks forward to his continued service to the Orange Beach community.”

For residents, the public works department is one of the most visible parts of city government. In a coastal resort city like Orange Beach, which sits along the Gulf of Mexico in southern Baldwin County near the Florida line, public works crews are generally responsible for day-to-day upkeep such as streets, drainage, rights-of-way and other city infrastructure. The city’s statement emphasized continuity, signaling that ongoing projects and services are expected to continue under Davidson without interruption.

What Tucker is charged with

According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Tucker was charged with prostitution. Arrest records list the following details:

• Arresting agency: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
• Booking: Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at 6:03 p.m.
• Release: Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
• Charge: Alabama Code Section 13A-12-121 (prostitution)

Tucker was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center and released on bond less than an hour later. Section 13A-12-121 is a state criminal statute that governs prostitution and related solicitation offenses. Although the case was made in Escambia County, the law applies statewide; it is part of the Alabama Code rather than a local county ordinance.

A charge is an accusation, not a finding of guilt. Tucker has not been convicted of any crime, and no court has ruled on the allegations.

A state lawmaker and a school board president also arrested

The sting drew wide attention because of the officials caught up in it. Easterbrook, a Republican state representative from Fruitdale in Washington County, was charged with first-degree human trafficking and soliciting prostitution. He has since posted bond.

Wesley, who was serving as president of the Satsuma City Schools Board of Education, was charged with first-degree human trafficking and attempting to elude police. He was also released on bond. Both men were booked into the Escambia County Detention Center on Friday, as previously reported.

Satsuma City Schools addressed Wesley’s arrest in a weekend social media post:

“Satsuma City Schools is aware of the arrest of a member of the Satsuma City Schools Board of Education. We are mindful of how this affects families, employees, students, and members of our community, who are not involved in the allegations. The school system will respect the legal process and will not comment on the matter at this time. Satsuma City Schools remains focused on our responsibility to serve our students, employees, families, and community.”

The school system reported Monday morning that Wesley has resigned from the board.

Under Alabama law, first-degree human trafficking is a Class A felony, the most serious tier of felony offense in the state’s criminal code. As with Tucker, the charges against Easterbrook and Wesley are allegations only.

Where the Atmore sting happened — and where it didn’t

Rumors circulated that the investigation was conducted at a casino. Jackson rejected that, saying the operation never took place on tribal land. He confirmed that it was carried out in Atmore, a city in Escambia County near the Florida state line, but he declined to disclose the exact location.

The distinction matters because tribal land is subject to a different law enforcement framework than property under ordinary state and county jurisdiction. By stating that the operation did not occur on tribal land, the sheriff indicated it took place within the reach of local and state authorities.

Jackson framed the arrests as a matter of equal treatment under the law. “Everybody needs to be held accountable, and this is a prime example of nobody is above their day in court,” he said. The sheriff has said more information about the operation will be released in the coming days.

Agencies that took part in the operation

The Atmore Police Department said the multi-day sting was a joint effort involving several law enforcement agencies from across southwest Alabama. Participating agencies included:

• Atmore Police Department
• Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
• Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
• Clarke County Sheriff’s Office
• Poarch Tribal Police Department
• Bay Minette Police Department
• Flomaton Police Department
• Brewton Police Department

“This investigation reflects a coordinated effort among participating agencies to target crimes involving human trafficking and the sale and exploitation of victims,” the Atmore Police Department said.

Police also said that three of the 17 people arrested were found to be in the country unlawfully. Authorities did not identify which of those arrested fell into that group.

Others arrested in the sting

In addition to Tucker, Easterbrook and Wesley, authorities released the names and charges of 14 other men arrested during the operation. Each is presumed innocent, and the charges listed are accusations that have not been proven in court.

• Nicolas Gadson — first-degree human trafficking and attempting to elude
• Dominque Mobley — soliciting prostitution
• Benjamin Holman — soliciting prostitution
• Quintero Francisco — soliciting prostitution
• Juan Teletor-Siana — soliciting prostitution
• Cody Jackson — first-degree human trafficking
• George Dance — first-degree human trafficking
• Elijah Roy — first-degree human trafficking
• Bharath Vijakumar — first-degree human trafficking
• Algeber De La Cruz — soliciting prostitution
• Terry Long — first-degree human trafficking
• Joshua Martin — soliciting prostitution
• Charles Mooney — soliciting prostitution
• Austin Berry — soliciting prostitution

By the numbers

• 17 people arrested on prostitution and sex crime charges
• 3 days of operations, Thursday, Oct. 1, through Saturday, Oct. 3
• 3 public officials among those arrested: a state representative, a city school board president and a city department head
• 8 law enforcement agencies taking part, according to Atmore police
• 3 of those arrested found to be in the country unlawfully, police said
• 57 minutes between Tucker’s booking and his release on bond

What happens next

All three officials have been released on bond, and their cases will now move through the Alabama court system. In general, a person charged with a misdemeanor-level offense in Alabama has the case handled in district court, while felony charges such as first-degree human trafficking can be presented to a grand jury, which decides whether there is enough evidence to issue an indictment and send the case to circuit court. Defendants may also seek preliminary hearings, at which a judge determines whether probable cause supports the charges.

Court dates for Tucker and the other defendants have not been announced.

Several other questions remain open, including the exact location of the Atmore operation, how many people were identified as potential victims, and what specific conduct led to each charge. The sheriff has said additional details will be released in the coming days.

What we know and what we don’t

What we know

• Tim Tucker, 65, was charged with prostitution and released on bond the same evening he was booked.
• Orange Beach says Tucker submitted his resignation and is no longer employed by the city.
• Tyler Davidson is now Orange Beach’s public works director, effective immediately.
• Kory Wesley has resigned from the Satsuma City Schools Board of Education, the school system said.
• The sheriff says the operation was conducted in Atmore and not on tribal land.

What we don’t know yet

• The exact location in Atmore where the sting took place.
• Bond amounts and first court appearance dates for those charged.
• Whether any of the defendants have retained attorneys or entered pleas.
• Which three of those arrested were found to be in the country unlawfully.

This story will be updated as the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the courts release more information.