Springhill man arrested on drug trafficking, battery charges

SPRINGHILL — Not even a 911 call for assistance could help a north Webster Parish man avoid law enforcement agents surrounding his apartment Saturday evening.

Springhill Chief of Police Will Lynd said 20-year-old Mattavious Wortham, who listed an address on Walnut Road in Springhill was captured without incident, but the threat of using a K-9 officer apparently helped the suspect make up his mind to give up peacefully.

Wortham was charged on a number of warrants, but Lynd said he is also a suspect in the attempted armed robbery of a Cullen business late in the evening of October 9 where a shot was fired at the owner. No one was injured in the robbery attempt, Lynd said.

A 39-year-old Springhill man, Bernell Rayshon Lewis, was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder and armed robbery in that case.

“We received a tip that Wortham was holed up at an apartment complex in Springhill,” the chief said. “We set up in a wooded area near the complex and saw him come out of the apartment then go back inside.”

Lynd said he and his team of officers surrounded the apartment, then knocked on the door and called for Wortham to come out. The suspect reportedly tried to exit a side door but saw an officer standing outside. He allegedly slammed and locked the door before officers could enter.

“We called for additional help and the sheriff’s office, U.S. Marshal’s service and state police came to assist us,” Lynd said. “We also called for the sheriff’s office’s dog to make entrance at the apartment.”

While officers were awaiting the K-9 team’s arrival, they received word of a 911 call coming from inside the apartment.

“The dispatcher said the call came from a man inside the apartment. He told her there were men outside his apartment who won’t leave,” Lynd said. “Looks like he was right.”

Lynd said when the team learned no one was inside the apartment with Wortham, the K-9 unit went to the door and announced their intentions to enter. At that point, the suspect reportedly came out and was taken into custody without trouble.

“It worked out very well for all of us,” Lynd said. “We have a good relationship with all the departments involved in the arrest, and it certainly makes it easier when you have that kind of cooperation and additional manpower.”

Wortham is officially charged with distribution of CDS Sch. II (crack cocaine), battery on a police officer, simple escape and disturbing the peace. All the charges stem from warrants issued on separate incidents, Lynd said. Wortham reportedly is currently being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center on bonds totaling $85,000.