A Bossier City woman was arrested Monday, May 4, after police alleged she helped transport a criminal defendant away from the Webster Parish courthouse before he failed to appear for the continuation of his jury trial.
According to a Minden Police Department report, Brandy Cloud, 34, was seen at the 26th Judicial District Courthouse on Main Street alongside Deonte Warren, who was scheduled for jury trial proceedings that day.
Court recessed for lunch at approximately 11:30 AM. Investigators said surveillance and witness information showed Warren and Cloud leaving the courthouse together, entering a blue Kia K4 registered to Cloud and another individual, and departing the parking lot.
Police said Warren entered the driver’s seat while Cloud got into the passenger seat. The vehicle then traveled through downtown Minden before heading westbound on Interstate 20 toward Bossier City, according to information gathered through the Vigilant camera system.
Warren was scheduled to return to court at 1 PM but failed to appear. The presiding judge reportedly delayed proceedings until 1:30 PM before issuing a bench warrant for Warren’s arrest. The jury was then dismissed.
At approximately 6:40 PM, officers located the vehicle on East Union Street in Minden and conducted a felony traffic stop. Police said Cloud was driving the vehicle and her minor children were inside. Warren was no longer with her.
Cloud was transported to the Minden Police Department for questioning. After being advised of her rights, she reportedly stated that Warren exited the vehicle near Minden High School and that she later drove to Bossier City, where she claimed she stopped to deal with a flat tire before picking up her daughter from Bossier Parish Community College.
Investigators told Cloud that traffic camera data showed the timeline did not support her account of stopping to repair a flat tire. According to the report, the vehicle left Minden at approximately 11:46 AM and was detected in Bossier City by 12:03 PM.
Police and a city marshal also asked Cloud to contact Warren and encourage him to surrender, but she allegedly refused. Investigators stated Cloud admitted Warren lived with her, but maintained she had not seen him since he exited the vehicle in Minden.
Following the interview, Cloud was arrested and booked on one count of accessory after the fact. Police allege she assisted Warren in avoiding his jury trial on a charge related to distribution of Schedule II methamphetamine.
Cloud was later placed in a holding cell pending transfer to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.