Adam Prestridge / Special to the Times

A 23-year-old man seeking prayer in an Atmore church was arrested Thursday on misdemeanor drug charges.

Joseph Palaxco of Fairhope was arrested and held at Atmore Police Department after he was reported peaking through the windows of Presley Street Baptist Church, located at 903 South Presley Street, at around 12:25 p.m. Once on the scene, APD officers noted that the suspect was acting “real” nervous.

“He indicated to us that he was involved in an accident in Fairhope and that he had hitched a ride to this area,” APD chief Jason Dean said. “He was acting real nervous, so officers searched him.”

During the search, an officer discovered a small pipe, which had been used to smoke crack. He was immediately cuffed and placed under arrest.

According to several witnesses, Palaxco told them he was at the church wanting to pray, which they said he was doing.

“Once at the police department it was determined that he had warrants with Marengo County,” Dean said. “He was held here until Marengo County authorities came and picked him up.”

Dean said Palaxco not only had warrants in Marengo County, but Hale and Tuscaloosa counties as well.

Palaxco was charged with possession of a drug paraphernalia.