Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies have arrested a Natchitoches man on felony drug and weapons charges following a traffic stop near Natchitoches according to Sheriff Stuart Wright.
On Thursday morning, August 15, shortly after 2:00am, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division were patrolling in the 4000 block of University Parkway near Natchitoches when they stopped a 2003 Buick Park Avenue for a traffic violation.
Deputies identified the operator of the vehicle as 28-year-old Jessie C. Besant of Natchitoches. Deputies say upon coming in contact and speaking with Besant they smelled a strong marijuana odor while asking for his driver’s license, insurance and registration. Besant informed deputies “he was trying to take care of his driver’s license” by handing them a Louisiana Identification Card. Deputies say Besant appeared uneasy and nervous.
Deputies observed a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handgun in plain view in the vehicle. As the traffic stop progressed, deputies asked Besant if he had any illegal narcotics in the vehicle in which he responded “there may have been some “marijuana doobies” in the vehicle. Additional back-up units responded to assist. A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of a small amount of marijuana, two suspected ecstasy pills, one suspected xanax (alprazolam) pill and the Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun. The seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for analysis.
Jessie C. Besant, 28, of the 700 block of Brahma Drive, Natchitoches was placed under arrest without incident, transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Altered Louisiana Temporary License Plate, No Drivers License, No Vehicle Registration, Possession of CDS I Marijuana, Possession of CDS I Ecstasy, Illegal Possession of CDS IV Alprazolam, and Illegal Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of Narcotics.
Besant remains in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
The vehicle was impounded by a local wrecker service.
Deputy Cpl. C. Halliburton was assisted by the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau and Louisiana State Police.
**All Persons are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in Court**
