A Winn Parish man wanted since 2024 by the LaSalle Parish Sheriff ’s Office on a sex offense charge was arrested following a traffic stop in Provencal on Saturday according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
At approximately 5:44 p.m., Provencal Police Chief Eric Upchurch was patrolling on La. Hwy 117 in Provencal when he stopped a 2020 Nissan passenger vehicle for a traffic violation. The driver was identified as 20-year-old Manuel L. Espejel Jr. of Winnfield.
A NLETS driver’s license and wanted person check revealed Espejel was wanted. NATCOM 911 Center Communications Specialists confirmed the active warrant with LPSO.