On Friday, deputies of the Community Action Directive Patrol Team (CAD Team) arrested Sarah Lee Morrison, 37, of Dallas, Texas following a routine traffic stop. After providing consent to officers to search her vehicle, Morrison suddenly requested that the search be stopped when they reached the rear interior of her car during their search. While deputies did comply with her request to cease their search, the newest member of the CAD Team, Chesapeake Cindy—the Sheriff’s canine deputy—signaled to her handler, Lt. Robert Hayden, that there were likely narcotics in the trunk of the vehicle. 

 

Chesapeake Cindy’s credentials through the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association made her indication legally sound, thereby establishing probable cause for a continued search of Morrison’s vehicle. Deputies discovered a large plastic bag containing more than 230 grams of suspected marijuana, along with other paraphernalia.

 

“We can’t say enough about the efficiency and safety that’s been added to our efforts by Chesapeake Cindy,” explained Chief Deputy Bobby Igo. “She has a perfect record—in the academy and on the job. If she hits on something, our officers know something’s there; and it provides us with legal cause to search.”

 

Morrison and her passenger, Ronald D. Dupas, 21, of Lake Providence were both taken into custody, transported and booked into Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.

 

Morrison received charges for possession of a schedule I narcotic (marijuana) with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and improper lane use.

 

Dupas received charges for possession of a schedule I narcotic (marijuana) with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

 

Earlier in the week Sheriff’s narcotics investigators arrested Michael Huddleston, 34, of Taylor, Arkansas. Huddleston was wanted on previous charges for distribution of methamphetamine following a lengthy investigation. Officers found him in a Minden neighborhood where he was ultimately arrested after he caused minor injury to a Lt. Deputy while resisting arrest on the outstanding warrants.

 

Huddleston was charged with two counts of distribution of methamphetamines, possession of methamphetamine, resisting an officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.

 

Another major bust took place this week when Sheriff’s narcotics detectives Lt. Shawn Baker and Sgt. Barry James, and Minden Police investigator Lt. Marvin Garrett followed leads in their investigation of a suspected methamphetamine laboratory in Springhill. 

 

Oscar C. “Jay” Balentine, 59, of Springhill was arrested on charges of the operation and creation of a clandestine laboratory, and for possession of a schedule II narcotic (methamphetamine).

 

Benjamin P. Balentine, 27, of Springhill was arrested on charges of the operation and creation of a clandestine laboratory, criminal conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a schedule II narcotic (methamphetamine), and possession of a schedule I narcotic (marijuana.)

 

When officers arrived at the Frye Road residence they discovered the two men outside near a large, burning heap of trash and discarded items. As the investigators exited the vehicle, one of the men fled the scene on foot. The fire was extinguished to preserve potential evidence, and after a waiver of search was obtained, detectives recovered several lab-related items from the burn pile and yard. A number of items were seized by investigators, and the two men were arrested, transported and booked into the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.

 

“I don’t like that drug activity is a problem we have to deal with here and across the country,” said Webster Sheriff Gary S. Sexton. “But I’m happy that this office is well-equipped with the right tools and training to have a positive impact. We’ll keep working to remove as many narcotics and drug offenders as we possibly can from Webster Parish communities.”