District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington recently announced the guilty plea and sentencing in a narcotics and firearms case.

Dekarius Edwards, 39 of Natchitoches, was arrested in 2019 during a traffic stop by Natchitoches City Police in which Edwards was speeding over 80 miles per hour in downtown Natchitoches. As police were attempting to stop the vehicle, Edwards attempted to elude police and threw a bag from the vehicle that contained methamphetamine and other illegal narcotics.

During an investigation by narcotics agents from the Natchitoches Multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force, a search warrant was obtained for a vehicle used by Edwards. During the search, a .45 caliber handgun was found in the vehicle. Edwards was previously convicted of a felony crime and is prohibited form possessing a firearm.

Edwards was scheduled for trial in January 2023. However, Edwards pleaded guilty to the charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of methamphetamine, obstruction of justice, and aggravated fight from an officer.

Tenth Judicial District Court Judge Desiree Dyess accepted the guilty pleas and sentenced Edwards to 18 years of incarceration at hard labor for the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; 4 years for possession of methamphetamine; 8 years for obstruction of justice; and 5 years for aggravated fight from an officer. All sentences were ordered to be served concurrently with the La. Department of Corrections.

District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington acknowledged the efforts of the Natchitoches City Police and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division for their diligent and thorough investigation in this case.

“I thank our law enforcement partners in the parish who are working hard to reduce and suppress violent crime in our communities. In this case, they were able to remove dangerous illegal narcotics and a firearm off of the streets, preventing additional harm and violence,” said District Attorney Harrington.