A Natchitoches Parish man and a Winn Parish woman were arrested Monday, April 16 at 10:30 p.m. on felony drug and weapons charges during a traffic stop in Campti.
Deputies stopped a 1998 Ford F-150 on US-71 in Campti for a traffic violation. While speaking with the vehicle operator, deputies observed three passengers in the vehicle. Two passengers, Jody L. Jordan, 43, and Taylor L. Thomas, 20, were acting suspiciously. Jordan attempted to exit the vehicle and walk into a nearby business but was instructed to return and sit in the vehicle.
While speaking with Jordan, deputies smelled a strong marijuana smoke odor coming from within the vehicle leading them to believe criminal activity existed. Jordan was asked to step out of the vehicle. While he was exiting, deputies observed a bottle in plain view on the seat containing eight suspected Schedule IV Alprazolam pills. Deputies conducted a search of the vehicle. During a search of Thomas’s purse, deputies discovered a loaded Bersa .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun, a plastic container containing suspected methamphetamine and a glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine. Also discovered were a syringe and a metal pipe that Thomas claimed stating she had recently smoked methamphetamine and marijuana. Jordan w/m, of the 1600 block of Hart Road, Campti, was charged with Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine-2nd Offense, and Possession of CDS Schedule IV Alprazolam.
Jordan, who was on parole, was convicted and sentenced to two-years in the DOC Sept. 14, 2017, for Possession of Methamphetamine. Thomas, 20, of the 100 block of Long Road, Winnfield, was charged with Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine, Possession of CDS Schedule IV Alprazolam, Illegal Possession of Firearm during a Felony Narcotics Offense, Possession of a Firearm by a Person convicted of a Felony and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Thomas was convicted of Possession of Hydrocodone Aug. 8, 2016. Both remain in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center awaiting bond. The driver and additional passenger were released without charges pending further investigation. Sgt. J. Augustus was assisted by Deputy M. Giomonne in the arrests.