Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a Provencal man on felony drug charges following a traffic stop on Sunday evening according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau deputies were patrolling on La. Hwy 6 West just west of Natchitoches on Jan. 23 around 8 pm when they stopped a 2009 Ford Mustang for a traffic violation. Deputies say upon coming in contact with two occupants of the vehicle, they smelled a strong marijuana odor coming from within the vehicle.

The passenger identified as 54-year-old Ronald Lee Holman of Provencal admitted that he had recently smoked marijuana just prior to picking up the other occupant who he allowed to drive the vehicle.

Holman has a prior narcotics arrest history. Based on probable cause and suspected criminal activity, deputies conducted a search of the vehicle. During the search, deputies seized metal container containing approximately 28-grams or 1 ounce of suspected crystal methamphetamine, a digital weighing scale, a glass smoking pipe, baggies, and other drug paraphernalia.

Both occupants of the vehicle were transported to the Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Office for questioning. Drug Task Force Agents responded to assist. While interviewing both suspects pursuant to miranda warnings, Holman confessed to ownership of the recovered seized evidence.

Agents released the other occupant without criminal charges. Holman was transported to the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center and while being searched by corrections deputies he informed them that he had additional narcotics on his person.

Deputies say Holman handed them a cellophane bag containing approximately 3-grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine hidden on his person. The seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for narcotics analysis.

Ronald Lee Holman, 54 of Provencal, was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, 2nd or Subsequent Offenses, Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Institution and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Holman remains in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center according to jail records with bond set at $21,000 by a 10th Judicial District Judge. Deputy Cpl. C. Halliburton made the arrest assisted by NMJDTF Agents.

“All Persons are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in Court or Administrative Process.”

If you suspect criminal activity in your community, contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 352-6432 or 357-7851.
Please attempt to identify the descriptions of vehicles and persons when reporting suspicious activity.