Matthew Joseph Lemeanier, 33, of the 100 block of Timberline Lane in Princeton, was arrested by Cotton Valley police on charges of flight from an officer, possession of Schedule I CDS (marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was cited for reckless operation of a vehicle. Bond was set at $7,150.
Cotton Valley police chief Terry Brown says his department received a call about an erratic driver on Sikes Ferry Road. Officer Jasson Fitzgerald went to look for him, the chief says, and when he located the vehicle fitting the description given, Lemeanier reportedly took off trying to outrun police.
“Finally, he ran off into the ditch, came out of the ditch, and we finally got him to stop,” he said. “He opened the door and took off and Officer Fitzgerald got him to stop, put him on the ground and handcuffed him. It was pretty intense at the beginning.”
According to the police report, once he made contact with Lemeanier, Fitzgerald asked him to empty his pockets. On his person, the report continues, a pipe commonly used for smoking marijuana, containing the suspected marijuana, was found.
Lemeanier was placed under arrest and transported to the Cotton Valley Police Department. He was later transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center for booking.