According to a Task Force official, On January 18th, 2022 at approximately 10:40 a.m., Natchitoches Police Department Headquarters received a call in reference to gunfire erupting in the area of Natchitoches Thomas Apartments, located at 500 North Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457. Upon arrival, Natchitoches Police Department Officers observed numerous spent shell casings near the intersection of Trudeau and Howell Street.
Based on information gathered during the initial investigation, Natchitoches Police Department Patrol Officer’s conducted an Investigatory Stop on a vehicle fitting the description of one of the Suspect Vehicles. Further investigation into the Suspect Vehicle by the Natchitoches Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, led to a Search Warrant being executed on the Suspect Vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed multiple Controlled Dangerous Substances including approximately 42 grams of Suspected Methamphetamine, approximately 24 grams of Suspected Marijuana, approximately 26 grams of Suspected Crack Cocaine, approximately 8 grams of Suspected Powder Cocaine, 25 Suspected Counterfeit Xanax pills, approximately 8 grams of Suspected Heroin. The Narcotics recovered from the Suspect Vehicle in the Natchitoches Thomas Apartments shooting prompted an investigation by the Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force.
An investigation by the Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force led to the execution of a Search Warrant at a residence in the 800 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. A search of the residence led to the recovery of Narcotics and Weapons. The items seized from the residence included: a plastic bag containing Suspected Marijuana weighing approximately 11 ounces, a glass jar containing Suspected Marijuana weighing approximately 2 pounds and 7 ounces, a plastic bag containing 52 Suspected Xanax pills, 2 Suspected Tramadol pills, 22 Suspected Gabapenatin pills, 20 empty 3.5 gram Cannabis Flower packages, and 2 Glock Handguns.
As a result of the investigation conducted by the Natchitoches Police Department Patrol Division, Natchitoches Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, and the Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force, Mr. Demarcus Berguin of Natchitoches, Louisiana was arrested and charged with the following:
LA RS 40:966, POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE I (MARIJUANA) WITH INTENT
LA RS 40:967, POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II (TRAMADOL)
LA RS 40:969, POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE IV (ALPRAZOLAM)
LA RS 14:95.1, POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A CONVICTED FELON (2 COUNTS)
LA RS 14:95E, FIREARM IN THE PRESENCE OF CDS (2 COUNTS)
The shooting in the Natchitoches Thomas Apartments and the narcotics recovered as a result are still under investigation by the Natchitoches Police Department Criminal Investigations Division and the Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force.
The Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force, Natchitoches Police Department, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, along with federal law enforcement agencies will continue to work diligently in an effort to reduce gun violence in Natchitoches Parish.
The Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force, Natchitoches Police Department and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Citizens of Natchitoches for their support. Many times an investigation begins with a simple phone call or tip from a concerned citizen. For this reason the Task Force encourages all citizens to report any crimes in their neighborhoods anonymously by calling 318-357-2248, The Natchitoches Police Department, or the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
