Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit deputies initiated a traffic stop on June 7 around 6:31 pm on a 2009 silver Kia SUV on South Drive in Natchitoches for expired registration according to officials from the Drug Enforcement Unit.
The driver, Brittany N. Jones, along with three passengers- Gary L. Peterson, Christopher Burks (Steven Burks) and an unidentified passenger—were detained for further investigation.
During the stop, deputies discovered that none of the occupants possessed valid driver’s licenses.
Christopher Burks provided false identification; however, he was later positively identified as Steven Burks. Further inquiry revealed that Burks had three active warrants, resulting in his arrest.
Agents also learned Jones and Peterson were wanted by the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office.
A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a camouflage bag containing approximately 18 grams of suspected methamphetamine, two firearms-a Hi-Point 9mm, and aSCCY CPX 9, 9mm.
Burks was charged with possession of the narcotics and firearms found inside the bag.
One passenger was released without charges.
*Steven Burks, 50, of Natchitoches was booked into LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Detention Center charged with Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine, 2-Counts of Illegal Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of Narcotics, Resisting an Officer by Giving a False Name and Failure to Appear in the 10th Judicial District Court on prior criminal charges.
*Brittany N. Jones, 31, of Natchitoches was booked into LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Detention Center charged with Failure to Appear in Rapides Parish. Jones was also issued a citation for the Expired Vehicle Registration.
*Gary L. Peterson, 55, of Natchitoches booked into LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Detention Center charged Failure to Appear in Rapides Parish.
The seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for narcotics analysis.
Jones and Peterson are awaiting transfer to Rapides Parish.
Natchitoches Drug Enforcement Criminal Patrol Units were assisted by the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau.