A Winn Parish man wanted since 2024 by the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office on a sex offense charge was arrested on Dec. 6 following a traffic stop in Provencal, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

Provencal Police Chief Eric Upchurch was patrolling on Hwy. 117 in Provencal around 5:44 pm when he stopped a 2020 Nissan passenger vehicle for a traffic violation. The driver was identified as Manuel L. Espejel Jr., 20 of Winnfield.

A NLETS driver’s license and wanted person check revealed Espejel was wanted by the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office since February 2024 for Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile. NATCOM 911 Center Communications Specialists confirmed the active warrant with LPSO.

Espejel was placed under arrest without incident.

NPSO deputies responded to assist and transported Espejel, who was later booked into the LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Detention Center and charged with Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile per a LaSalle Parish criminal warrant. A hold has been placed pending pickup arrangements by the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office.

“Our deputies will always work alongside local and regional law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend individuals wanted for serious crimes,” said Sheriff Stuart Wright. “This arrest shows the importance of strong interagency cooperation to help keep our communities safe.”