A routine traffic stop in Clarence led to the arrest of a Joretta L. Denham, 43, on multiple felony drug and weapon charges.
The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies pulled Denham over on Louisiana Highway 6 around 10:30 p.m. on March 4 for a traffic violation. After detecting the smell of drugs, deputies inquired about narcotics in the vehicle. Denham reportedly pointed to a firearm and handed over a pipe commonly used for smoking illegal substances. The weapon was identified as a Taurus G2 9mm semi-automatic handgun.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered:
Suspected methamphetamine
11 grams of suspected marijuana
Seven doses of THC
Weighing scales and drug paraphernalia
Denham was arrested and booked into the LaSalle Corrections Natchitoches Detention Center, then released on a $23,000 appearance bond pending her court date.
The sheriff’s office noted a passenger was in the vehicle but was released without charges. Denham now faces felony possession of meth, marijuana, a firearm during a narcotics offense, drug paraphernalia, and traffic-related charges.
