The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office Street Level Interdiction Unit made nine arrests during August as part of ongoing efforts targeting illegal narcotics and related criminal activity in and around the parish.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the arrests involved allegations including possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, oxycodone, marijuana, mushrooms and drug paraphernalia, along with firearm and traffic-related offenses.
Sheriff Jayson Richardson commended members of the Street Level Interdiction Unit, or S.L.I.U., for their continued work addressing illegal drugs in DeSoto Parish. The Sheriff’s Office said those efforts are part of its mission to protect local communities and reduce the availability of dangerous narcotics.
The following arrests were reported during August:
Brett R. Westley, 47, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was arrested Aug. 6 on charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Michael B. Speights, 50, of Keatchie, was arrested Aug. 6 on charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine and license plate lights required.
Ashley Banks, 38, of Branson, Missouri, was arrested Aug. 7 on charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine, possession of Schedule I mushrooms and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Billy J. Franklin, 37, of Zwolle, was arrested Aug. 8 on charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of minors and second or subsequent offense.
Paul R. Johnson, 47, of Bossier City, was arrested Aug. 20 on charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and improper lane usage.
Michael G. Hunt, 39, of Shreveport, was arrested Aug. 22 on a charge of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine.
Paul C. Stevens, 61, of Shreveport, was arrested Aug. 22 on charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal tint and turn signal required.
Kathy A. Jones, 53, of Shreveport, was arrested Aug. 26 on charges of possession of Schedule II oxycodone and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Rashad H. Ware, 38, of Grand Cane, was arrested Aug. 31 on charges of possession of Schedule II powder cocaine, possession of marijuana and tail lamps required.
The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office said the August arrests reflect the continued work of S.L.I.U. members to address illegal narcotics and criminal activity throughout the area.
An arrest is not a conviction. All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.