(Robeline)-A suspicious vehicle complaint has led to the arrest of a Natchitoches Parish man on felony drug and weapon charges according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
The investigation began on Friday evening, October 8, 2022 at approximately 9:45pm, when deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau responded to reports of a suspicious silver Chevrolet Silverado parked in the roadway with the engine running on the Allen-Beulah Road near the Harvey Calhoun Road in the Allen community in west Natchitoches Parish.
The report also included that an unidentified male was slumped over in the vehicle.
Deputies arrived on scene, identifying the sole occupant of the vehicle as 42-year-old Jason L. Lofton of Robeline.
Deputies say while attempting to speak with Lofton he appeared confused and incoherent leading them to believe criminal activity existed.
A local warrants check revealed Lofton was wanted by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office for a Failure to Appear Warrant through the 10th Judicial District Court.
Deputies observed suspected narcotics in plain view in the vehicle.
During the stop, deputies asked Lofton to exit the vehicle several times in which he refused. Based on the active warrant and observation of suspected narcotics in plain view, deputies then made entry into the vehicle, assisted Lofton out of the vehicle and placed him under arrest.
During a search of Lofton’s person incidental to his arrest, deputies discovered a glass smoking apparatus commonly used to smoke illicit narcotics, several plastic baggies and a knife in his waistband.
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS was summoned to the scene by deputies to assess Lofton due to his condition, however, he refused treatment and was released without transport by EMS after assessment.
During a search of the vehicle, deputies discovered and seized approximately 12 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 25 suspected clonazepam pills, 18 suspected ecstasy pills, approximately 12.9 grams of suspected cocaine, approximately 198.2 grams of suspected marijuana, approximately 6.7 grams of suspected synthetic marijuana, 1.83 grams of an unknown blue powder substance, 1 bottle containing suspected promethazine syrup, 3 cellular devices, 1-Pistol Grip Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun loaded with 7 rounds, weighing scales, drug paraphernalia and $494 dollars in US currency.
Deputies then requested assistance from Natchitoches Multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force Agents who executed a search warrant signed by a 10th Judicial District Judge on Lofton’s residence in the 700 block of Allen-Beulah Road near Allen, La.
Jason L. Lofton, 42, of Robeline, La. was transported to the Natchitoches Drug Task Force Office, processed and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with 3-Counts of Possession of CDS I Marijuana, Synthetic Marijuana and Ecstasy with Intent to Distribute, 2-Counts of Possession of CDS II Methamphetamine and Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS IV Clonazepam with Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS IV Alprazolam, 2nd or Subsequent Offenses, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Felony, Illegal Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of Controlled Dangerous Substances, Resisting Arrest and Failure to Appear in the 10th Judicial District Court.
The seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for narcotics analysis.
The vehicle was towed by a local wrecker service.
The investigation is ongoing by Natchitoches Multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force Agents.
If you observe suspicious activity, (something out of the ordinary) in your community, contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 352-6432 or 357-7851 or the Drug Task Force at 357-2248. Always attempt to provide descriptions of the persons or vehicles observed in suspicious activity.
NPSO Patrol Shift “C” made the arrest assisted by NMJDTF Agents.
