A traffic stop conducted on the evening of May 6 resulted in multiple felony charges for a Minden man after police reportedly discovered drugs and a firearm during a vehicle search.
According to a report from the Minden Police Department, an officer observed a red Jeep Cherokee make an improper turn from Sheppard Street onto Shreveport Road, entering the right travel lane. The officer initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of Shreveport Road and West Street.
The driver, identified as Michael Taylor, 55, immediately informed the officer that he did not possess a valid driver’s license and instead presented a Louisiana-issued identification card. While searching for his vehicle’s registration and insurance documents, Taylor opened the center console, where another officer observed a silver handgun in plain view. Taylor was instructed to close the console and keep his hands visible, and the firearm was secured for officer safety.
Taylor gave verbal consent for officers to search the vehicle. During a frisk of Taylor, officers found a clear plastic bag containing suspected crack cocaine in his front pocket. He was detained and informed of his Miranda rights before being placed in the back of a patrol vehicle.
A subsequent vehicle search led officers to discover an open container of alcohol inside a blue cup. No other illegal items were found.
Taylor was transported to the Minden Police Department for booking. While in a holding cell, a further search reportedly uncovered synthetic marijuana in Taylor’s right sock and natural marijuana in his left sock. The crack cocaine weighed 10.17 grams and the synthetic marijuana 2.01 grams. The natural marijuana was destroyed per department policy. The seized firearm was identified as a Smith & Wesson SD9VE.
A criminal history check revealed that Taylor is a convicted felon who pleaded guilty in 2024 to distribution of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance. He is not legally permitted to possess a firearm until August 2036 under Louisiana law.
Taylor is facing charges including possession of Schedule II crack cocaine (felony), possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (felony), possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled substance (felony), no driver’s license, improper turn, open alcoholic container, and possession of Schedule I synthetic marijuana.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.