ICE Correctional Agent is arrested

By: TONY MARKS
Editor

A correctional officer at the Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center is in custody on drug related charges. Items related to a burglary of a Pine Prairie pharmacy were also recovered as part of the investigation.
On January 30, according to a release from the Evangeline Parish Sheriff Office, EPSO was contacted by Warden Bryan Patterson, who stated he was notified of a correctional officer, identified as 35-year-old John Dix, who had narcotics in his possession while on duty.
When agents made contact with Dix, agents conducted a pat search and located a small plastic container with nine MDMA pills of various shapes and colors, a small plastic container with five round white pills identified as Buprenorphine Hydrochloride Sublingual 8mg, a large baggie with 7.25 grams of methamphetamine, and a glass meth pipe.
Dix was arrested and charged with distribution/possession with the intent to distribute schedule II CDS, possession of schedule III CDS, distribution/possession with intent to distribute, and taking contraband to and from penal institution.
Warden Patterson provided a written statement from Correctional Officer A. Lanclos that stated, while working the front desk when Dix entered the front lobby, put his keys and other items into a cubby bin, and placed it on top of the scanner machine, he advised Dix that he needed to place the cubby in the scanner machine. Dix complied, and, when the cubby was run through the machine, it was seen that he had his personal cell phone, a lighter, and a black pouch. Lanclos advised him that he could not have his cell phone or lighter in the compound, and he stated that he was just grabbing some keys real quick. Lanclos stated that Dix walked through door #8, and, when inspecting the black bag in his cubby, she saw a glass pipe, another cigarette lighter, and little pouches of white substances. Lanclos then stated that Dix noticed her inspecting the black pouch and asked her why she was looking in his wallet. She informed him that it was not a wallet, and he quickly grabbed the pouch out of her hand and walked out the front door.
Warden Patterson also provided a written statement by Dix that stated he had his cell phone so he could communicate with the contractors on the compound. Dix stated he left his phone, keys, and wallet in the basket and went check out some keys.
Pine Prairie Police Chief Shane Guillory, Officer Kevin Tate, Evangeline Parish Sheriff Capt. Joseph Lemoine and 1st Lt. Jessica Laborde then arrived at the east side employee parking lot and located a red 2010 Ford F150. K9 Diego was deployed, and a free air sniff was conducted around the outside of the vehicle. K9 Diego gave a positive alert on the passenger side of the vehicle.
Warden Patterson escorted Dix, who was holding a camouflage hoodie, to his vehicle. At that time, he was advised that a free air sniff around the outside of his vehicle was conducted and K9 Diego gave a positive alert. He was then advised of his Miranda Rights. When asked if he had any illegal narcotics in his vehicle, he stated “No, y’all can tear it apart.”
Dix was later advised that he was under arrest, and he was detained in a Pine Prairie patrol unit.
When searching Dix’s vehicle, two glass meth pipes were located in the center console. Warden Patterson advised Dix’s vehicle needed to be removed from the property. R &T Towing was contacted and took possession of the vehicle.
Deputy Kaleb Aymond then arrived to the scene and transported Dix to the Evangeline Parish Jail for booking.
When searching Dix’s vehicle, a black jacket with a hood and green gloves were located in his vehicle, which resembled the clothing that was worn by the person who burglarized Fuselier’s Pharmacy on January 20.