|
Press Releases>
Several drivers caught in Webster sobriety checkpoint
Efforts enhance awareness of safety during school months
Webster Parish, La. --
Aug 24, 2009 --
The sobriety checkpoints conducted by the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Department and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries over the weekend proved successful by law enforcement standards. The group efforts resulted in the arrest of four and citation of nineteen more, of which seventeen were for open container.
Sobriety checkpoints were held on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23 in several areas throughout Webster Parish. This particular project was the effort of partnering agencies who were focused on removing intoxicated drivers from parish roadways in an effort to encourage a higher awareness of enforcement among drivers during school months.
As Webster Parish Sheriff Gary Sexton explained in a previous briefing, school games and related activities result in an increase in traffic involving young drivers. “We want drivers to have added and enhanced awareness on the roads for the safety of our kids, especially. These checkpoints are deliberate methods of reminding drivers of what is acceptable—and what is not,” he said.
Many of the drivers stopped at the various checkpoints were also inspected by the Department’s new K-9 deputy, Chesapeake Cindy, who assisted in determining if the stopped vehicles contained illegal narcotics.
Sarah Jane Jennings, 19, of Magnolia, Arkansas was arrested and charged with possession of a CDS Schedule I narcotic (marijuana), possession of a CDS Schedule III narcotic and possession of drug paraphernalia following the checkpoint stop and subsequent search of her vehicle.
The Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office CAD Patrol Team member K-9 deputy Chesapeake Cindy alerted officers of a scent of drugs she detected in the vehicle after her handler, Lt. Robert Hayden, escorted her around the outside of Jennings’ vehicle. Officers found a plastic bag of a substance suspected to be marijuana, illegally possessed prescription drugs and paraphernalia inside the driver’s purse which was tucked between the two front seats of the car. Jennings, who admitted to possessing the drugs, was transported and booked into the parish jail.
Billy R. Dubois, Jr., 35, of Shongaloo was arrested and charged with first offense DWI and careless operation of a vehicle following poor performance of field sobriety tests and an extremely elevated blood alcohol content. Dubois was approached by officers when they responded to the scene of a single-vehicle accident nearby one of the checkpoint locations. Dubois had wrecked his truck and officers detected a strong odor of what was suspected to be an alcoholic beverage. He was administered the Intoxilyzer 5000 and later transported and booked into the parish jail.
Jack J. Harper, 53, of Magnolia, Arkansas was arrested and charged with first offense DWI following poor performance of field sobriety tests and an elevated blood alcohol content.
Roy Edward Knight, 65, of Sibley was arrested and charged with second offense DWI and open container following a search of his vehicle, poor performance of field sobriety tests, and an elevated blood alcohol content.
In other recent patrol activities of the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Department unrelated to the sobriety checkpoint, deputies booked four other individuals whose situations also involved alcohol or drug use.
Daniel J. Miles, 50, of Doyline was arrested and charged with disturbing the peace (public intoxication), resisting an officer, and battery on an officer. Deputies found him consuming alcohol in his vehicle which was parked on a public street. Miles refused to produce identification and ignored several verbal warnings by officers to stop walking away from the scene. Miles began fighting the deputies, who ultimately gained control of Miles, and was then arrested, transported and booked into the parish jail.
Harris R. Gisclair, 32, of Sarepta was arrested on warrants for utilities theft and possession of stolen goods, and on new charges of suspended drivers’ license and possession of drug paraphernalia following a traffic stop on US Hwy. 371. Gisclair was transported and booked into Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
Otha Lamar Gordon, 51, of Sibley was arrested and charged with second offense DWI, speeding, possession of a legend drug, open container, and possession of a CDS Schedule III narcotic following a traffic stop on US Hwy. 164 in Doyline. Deputies spotted an open alcoholic beverage inside the vehicle and a subsequent search resulted in the discovery of an assortment of pills. Gordon appeared intoxicated to officers, but refused tests. He was transported and booked into the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
David W. Flowers, 38, of Bossier City was arrested and charged with first offense DWI, careless operation of a vehicle, and speeding following a traffic stop. Flowers appeared intoxicated and the deputy detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. Field sobriety tests were performed poorly by Flowers, and a breath sample indicated an elevated blood alcohol content. He was transported and booked into the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
The Sheriff’s Department, who partnered with Wildlife and Fisheries during the sobriety checkpoint efforts, was pleased to have the opportunity to share access to Wildlife and Fisheries’ new Intoxilyzer Van, a mobile office and command center complete with an Intoxilyzer 5000. According to Chief Criminal Deputy Bobby Igo, the mobile unit allowed officers to immediately capture the blood alcohol content of individuals suspected of intoxication and impaired operation of a vehicle. “Having use of this equipment and the professional assistance of the Wildlife and Fisheries agents made this effort more effective and efficient,” he concluded.
Webster Parish Sheriff's Department
Sheriff Gary S. Sexton
410 Main Street
P.O. Box 877
Minden, LA 71058
318-377-1515
admin@webstersheriff.org
|
