NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- For the past 40 years, people have been accustomed to seeing former Metro Councilman Morris Haddox behind the counter of his pharmacy near downtown Nashville.

Haddox, 70, was arrested Tuesday and is facing four counts of felony drug charges for allegedly exchanging prescription medication for sexual favors.

"It's painful in the way it came down with the headlines," said Haddox. "Nothing like that really happened but was an inroad to get us to where we are now, and we'll have to work it out in court, and we will."

Detectives were monitoring a drug exchange at the pharmacy at about 6 p.m. Tuesday when a woman entered the business and, according to police, was given Xanax and Hydrocodone by Haddox in exchange for sexual favors.

Haddox, who still has his license, didn't elaborate but said it didn't happen that way.

Metro detectives, representatives from the Board of Pharmacy and Drug Enforcement Administration agents were counting every pill inside the Charlotte Avenue business Friday.

Haddox has received support from near and far away, and customers are still showing up.

"(It has been) quite busy, a lot of calls. We've got calls from as far away as New York telling me, 'Hang in there, Morris. We know you're a fighter. Those who know you know that's not true,'" he said.

Gregory Woods has been going to the pharmacy since he was a boy. Now, he's there with his grandson.

"Mr. Haddox has always been a pillar of this community," said Woods. "My wish is that he comes out of this victorious."

Haddox served on the Metro Council in the 1970s and then again in the '90s. He no longer represents District 20.