A traffic incident on Hwy. 9 north of Campti has resulted in the seizure of illegal narcotics and the arrest of a Montgomery man on felony drug charges, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
On Wednesday morning, Feb. 4, at approximately 12:54 a.m., deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau responded to reports of a vehicle in the ditch on Hwy. 9 near Lakeview School.
Upon arrival, deputies observed a 2022 Ford pickup truck in the ditch and the sole occupant slumped over the center console.
Deputies attempted to awaken the driver, but he was unresponsive. Emergency medical assistance was immediately requested from Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS.
Deputies and EMS were able to enter the vehicle and assess the driver for a possible medical condition. During the assessment, suspected narcotics were observed in plain view on the individual’s person.
The driver appeared disoriented and initially provided deputies with a false name. While EMS continued medical evaluation, deputies conducted a brief search of his person using gloves and discovered approximately 37 grams of suspected methamphetamine, nearly 10 grams of suspected marijuana, and drug paraphernalia commonly used to smoke illicit narcotics.
As EMS prepared to transport the individual, he identified himself as Edward Zumwalt, 52, of Montgomery, Louisiana. A warrants check revealed Zumwalt was wanted by the 10th Judicial District Court for Failure to Appear in April and September 2025 in connection with drug charges and a DWI offense.
Deputies also learned Zumwalt has a lengthy criminal history. Zumwalt later refused medical treatment and transport. He was placed under arrest without incident.
Zumwalt was transported and booked into the LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Detention Center on the following charges:
Careless Operation of a Vehicle
Open Container Violation
Possession of Marijuana
Possession of CDS Schedule II (Methamphetamine), 2nd or Subsequent Offenses
Resisting an Officer by Giving a False Name
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Two Counts of Failure to Appear in Court
Zumwalt remains in the Natchitoches Detention Center. The seized narcotics will be submitted to the crime laboratory for analysis. The vehicle was impounded by a local wrecker service. Deputy B. Desadier and Sgt. C. Crow made the arrest.
