(1)
KENNETH THOMAS W/M, 06/15/1957, 700 VETERANS DR. Alexandria La
(Drug arrest)
On October 1, 2020, Officers with Turkey Creek Police Department observed a gold Toyota driving with a burnt headlamp in violation of LaRS 32:326. Officers conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Kenneth Thomas, and immediately noticed the smell of marijuana emitting from the vehicle and observed an open alcoholic container in the console. Officers obtained verbal consent to search and located several burnt marijuana cigarettes and one hand rolled cigarette containing a green leafy material presumed to be marijuana. A small clear plastic Ziplock bag, containing a green leafy material, presumed to be marijuana, was located in the ashtray. Thomas admitted to the Officers that the cigarettes did contain marijuana and that he had just purchased the bag of marijuana.
Thomas was cited for several traffic violations and a warrant for his arrest was issued for violation of LaRS 40:966 possession of marijuana and 40:981.3 violation of drug free zone. Thomas was booked in the Evangeline Parish Jail with a $3000 bond, issued by 13th Judicial Judge Chuck West.
(2)
Shanie Rider W/F D.O.B. 02-05-1992, 1126 Rollins Road Ville Platte La
(Drug arrest)
On October 2, 2020, Officers with Turkey Creek Police Department received a phone call from a concerned citizen of a truck parked in front of the residence of 1378 Pine St, located within the jurisdiction of Turkey Creek. Officers responded to the location and observed a grey Dodge pickup in the roadway, partially blocking a driveway. Contact was made with the driver James Fontenot who stated that he was waiting on a girl to get her belongings from a residence down the road. Fontenot did not have identification and verification through Central Dispatch revealed that Fontenot had a suspended license and the vehicle was not insured.
While conducting the field interview, Shanie Rider W/F D.O.B. 02-05-1992 arrived on scene carrying two luggage type bags. Rider presented her identification and Central Dispatch advised she had an active warrant out of Acadia Parish for forgery and theft. Mrs. Rider was advised of her rights per Miranda and placed under arrest.
The vehicle was searched incident to arrest where several illegal items of drug paraphernalia were located, in violation of LaRS 40:1023, one green clear plastic baggie containing rock like substance presumed to be Crystal Meth in violation of LaRS 40:967, and green vegetable material presumed to be Marijuana in violation of LaRS 40: 966. The items were located in a brown purse on the passenger side belonging to Rider. Rider placed her bags in the bed of the truck where numerous additional items of drug paraphernalia were located. These violations occurred within two thousand feet of a drug free zone. Mr. Fontenot was issued a citation for numerous traffic violations and the vehicle was towed.
Rider was booked in the Evangeline Parish Jail for an outstanding warrant for Acadia Parish. An additional warrant of arrest was issued for violation of LaRS 40:967 possession schedule II, meth amphetamine, LaRS 40:981.3 violation of a drug free zone and 7 counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $25,000, issued by 13th Judicial Judge Chuck West.
(3)
Daphanie Cooper W/F D.O.B 11-07-1985, 305 Cross Street, Vidalia La
(False personation of a peace officer)
On October 3, 2020, Officers with Turkey Creek Police Department observed a dark colored Toyota four door car with its fog lights illuminated and the driver’s side light was burnt. Officers made contact with the driver, Douglas Brown W/M D.O.B 02-26-1985 who did not have a driver’s license in possession. While speaking with Brown the passenger Daphanie Cooper W/F D.O.B 11-07-1985 handed the Officers a laminated commission card and stated she was told that to present it to the police officer if she was ever stopped. The card indicated that she is a commissioned dispatcher with the Vidalia Police Department. She also stated that she was employed with Vidalia Police Department, presented a badge and said she was waiting to go on the road as a patrolman. Officers believed Cooper was attempting to use these credentials for special privilege or advantage. Officers contacted Vidalia Police Department to verify employment, and were informed she was no longer employed with the department and has not been employed for approximately two weeks, in violation of LaRS 14:112.1 for false personation of a peace officer. The badge and credentials were confiscated.
Douglas Brown was issued a citation for his traffic violations and a warrant for arrest was issued on Daphanie Cooper for violation of LaRS 14:112.1 false personation of a peace officer by 13th Judicial Judge Chuck West with a $2500 bond.
(4)
(Drug arrest)
On October 4, 2020 Officers with the Turkey Creek Police Department were conducting traffic control on Cemetery Road located within the jurisdiction of Turkey Creek when they observed a Ford F150 with a burnt tail light. A traffic stop was conducted and contact was made with the driver, Sagar Hoque. During the field interview officers observed the odor of Marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Hoque gave verbal permission to search his vehicle. As the passengers exited the vehicle, Officers observed an open alcoholic container in the doorway where, the passenger, Johnlee King W/M D.OB. 10-07-1996 was seated. King admitted to the beverage being his.
K-9 Ice was deployed and gave a positive alert to the odor of illegal narcotics on the vehicle’s passenger side door. After a thorough search of the vehicle Officers located a rolled up Marijuana Cigar under the rear passenger seat. King admitted ownership and stated he hid it to avoid detection from Police. These violations occurred within two thousand feet of a drug free zone.
Mr. Hoque was issued a citation for traffic violations and released. King was issues a citation for open container and a warrant for the arrest of Johnlee King was issued for violation of LaRS 40:966, possession of marijuana and LaRS 40:981.3 possession of illegal narcotics within a drug free zone, by 13th Judicial Judge Chuck West with a $5000 bond.
Chief Shawn Eckhart would like to thank Evangeline Parish 911 Dispatchers for their dedication and professionalism and remind the public to report all suspicious activity. All callers will remain anonymous.