A traffic stop recently led to the arrest of a Natchitoches woman on felony drug and weapons charges, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
On Wednesday evening, March 4, 2026, at approximately 10:30 p.m., deputies assigned to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol Operations Bureau were patrolling on La. Hwy. 6 near Clarence when they stopped a 2006 Honda pickup truck for a traffic violation.
Deputies identified the driver as 43-year-old Joretta L. Denham of Natchitoches, Louisiana.
While speaking with the driver and a passenger, deputies reportedly detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
According to reports, deputies asked Denham if she had any narcotics or weapons in the vehicle. Denham then pointed to a weapon and handed deputies a pipe commonly used to smoke illegal narcotics. A backup unit responded to assist at the scene.
Deputies secured the weapon, identified as a Taurus G2 9mm semi-automatic handgun, for officer safety. During a probable cause search of the vehicle, deputies discovered and seized a small amount of suspected methamphetamine, approximately 11 grams of suspected marijuana, seven doses of THC, weighing scales, and other drug paraphernalia.
Joretta L. Denham was placed under arrest without incident. She was transported and booked into the LaSalle Corrections Natchitoches Detention Center charged with:
Possession of CDS Schedule II (Methamphetamine)
Possession of CDS Schedule I (Marijuana)
Possession of a Firearm During a Felony Narcotics Offense
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Traffic charges
The passenger was released without criminal charges.
The seized narcotics will be submitted to the crime lab for analysis. Deputy T. Hortman was assisted by Deputy H. Layfield during the arrest.
Denham has since been released on a $23,000 appearance bond set by a district judge pending a court appearance.
