Minden Police arrested Robert Vernon Triplett, 61, of the 200 block of Crestview Street, on charges of driving while intoxicated (second offense), felony possession of schedule I controlled dangerous substance (synthetic marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police Chief Steve Cropper says around 9 p.m., Tuesday, police were dispatched to the intersection of Middle Landing and McCausland Street in reference to a vehicle in a ditch.
Officer Jesse Cutrer made contact with the driver who was slumped over the steering wheel.
“He opened the door and asked Triplett if he was OK, and Triplett stated he was tired,” he said. “At that point in time, Cutrer located a partially smoked marijuana cigarette in his lap.”
The officer assisted Triplett out of the vehicle and noted his speech was slurred and he could not stand on his own. Cropper says a white piece of paper containing suspected synthetic marijuana was discovered in his shirt pocket.
Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene to check him out, according to the police report.
Once Triplett was cleared by medical personnel, he was placed under arrest. He was transported to police headquarters. At that time, officers learned he had three previous drug possession arrests and one previous DWI arrest.
He was then transferred to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.