An officer on his way to work ended up arresting two men after they were seen driving recklessly on Interstate 20.
Johnny Ray Cockerham Jr., 24, of the 2500 block of Coleman Street in Gibsland, was arrested for careless operation, open container, possession of a legend drug, no driver’s license and possession of Schedule I CDS with intent to distribute (synthetic marijuana).
Bobby Ray Jackson Jr., 27, of the 500 block of Patrick Street, was arrested for open container, possession of Schedule I CDS with intent to distribute (synthetic marijuana) and possession of a legend drug.
Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper says around 6 a.m., Saturday, April 2, Officer Josh Lavrinc noticed a vehicle driving carelessly, and the vehicle passed him exceeding the
posted speed limit.
“Several times, the vehicle weaved in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed in a careless manner,” he said. “The vehicle exited I-20 headed towards Minden and pulled into the Valero station.”
Lavrinc followed the vehicle into the gas station and conducted a traffic stop, Cropper said. He made contact with the driver, Cockerham, and he could smell the odor of alcoholic beverages emitting from the vehicle. Officer First Class Chris Hammontree arrived on scene, and at that time, they ran the license plate on the vehicle.
Officers learned Cockerham did not have a valid driver’s license and had an outstanding warrant from the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Lavrinc and Hammontree asked Cockerham and Jackson to step out of the vehicle, detained them, and obtained consent to search the vehicle.
A search revealed two bags containing individually wrapped packages containing what they believed to be approximately 17 grams of synthetic marijuana inside the glovebox. Also discovered was a cigarette package containing two prescription pills that are not considered a narcotic. In the center console, they located an open bottle of gin and another open bottle of gin on the passenger side of the vehicle.
Both Cockerham and Jackson were placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for booking and transferred to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.