A recent traffic stop led to the arrest of a Natchitoches man on felony narcotics and weapon charges according to Sheriff Stuart Wright.
On Thursday, May 14, 2026 around 5:00 p.m., NPSO Impact Units were patrolling on La. Hwy. 494 near Franklin Lane when they observed a Chrysler van traveling with no visible license plate.
Deputies stopped the van on Franklin Lane.
As deputies approached the vehicle to make contact with the driver, they reportedly detected a strong marijuana odor coming from inside the van. Deputies asked the driver for his driver’s license, but he stated he did not have one and initially failed to identify himself.
According to deputies, the driver then threw a small can containing suspected marijuana from the vehicle and drove away. A brief pursuit ended a short time later on Franklin Lane where the suspect, identified as 46-year-old Travis Paige of Natchitoches, was arrested without incident.
A probable cause search of the vehicle and surrounding area reportedly resulted in the seizure of a small amount of suspected marijuana, suspected methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic Kel-Tec handgun.
Paige, who deputies say was recently released from jail and has a prior criminal history, was transported and booked into the LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Detention Center charged with:
Resisting an Officer by Flight
Possession of CDS I Marijuana
Possession of CDS II Methamphetamine, 2nd or Subsequent Offense
Criminal Obstruction of Justice
Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Felony
Illegal Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of Controlled Dangerous Substances
Violation of a Protective Order by Possession of a Firearm
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Traffic violations
The seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for analysis.
Deputies say when Paige was asked why he threw the weapon and narcotics from the vehicle, he allegedly stated he “was scared.”
The NPSO Criminal Impact Unit is composed of members from the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau, Drug Enforcement Unit, Hi-Tech Crime Bureau, and Patrol Operations Bureau.
If you observe suspicious activity in your community, contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-357-7851.