Webster Parish Sheriff’s deputies say a Doyline man tried to hide narcotics in his vehicle during a traffic stop.
Deputies conducted a traffic stop Saturday on Michael James Augustin, 46, of the 100 block of Lakeview Drive, after he was observed leaving the roadway when he made a short right turn onto Lakeview Drive, causing him to temporarily leave the road, according to the arrest affidavit.
As soon as Augustin stopped, deputies said he immediately got out of his vehicle, and Deputy Shawn Jenkins asked him to return to his vehicle. Due to the totality of the circumstances, Jenkins believed Augustin was trying to conceal something inside the vehicle, reports said. When asked, the suspect did not give permission to search the vehicle.
Jenkins said Augustin appeared nervous, and “seemed eager to go inside the residence and to return to the inside of his truck to turn the lights off.” At that time, Captain Robert Hayden, along with his K-9 partner, was called to the scene.
Augustin then reportedly admitted he had methamphetamine inside the vehicle. During the search, deputies discovered a black leather bag containing a red straw with suspected methamphetamine residue, a smoking device containing suspected natural marijuana, a digital scale, a clear plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine, two cigarillo packs containing suspected crystal methamphetamine, and one plastic bag with suspected methamphetamine residue, the report said.
Augustin was advised of his rights, placed under arrest and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of natural marijuana and improper right turn.
After he was arrested, deputies said the suspected methamphetamine weighed 5.1 grams.
Augustin was later transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
In an unrelated incident on the same day, sheriff’s deputies arrested Rubin Edward Rhodes, 29, of the 100 block of Holomon Loop in Dubberly, on charges of possession of powder cocaine, driving under suspension, possession of natural marijuana and on a warrant for possession of synthetic marijuana.
Jenkins noted a black Dodge Avenger turn from Highway 532 onto Stuckey Road. Because Jenkins knew Rhodes had a warrant for his arrest, he conducted a traffic stop. Rhodes exited the vehicle and Jenkins placed him under arrest on the warrant.
At that time, he admitted to having marijuana inside the vehicle and permission was given to search. Inside the vehicle, Jenkins located two plastic bags containing suspected marijuana, along with two partially smoked cigars that contained suspected marijuana.
Rhodes was transported to the patrol office, and that time, admitted to having a bag of cocaine in his sock. The suspected cocaine was retrieved from Rhodes’ sock and he was transported to BDCC and booked on the above charges.