A Ruston man was arrested Wednesday afternoon on numerous charges after he fled on foot from a traffic stop.
At about noon Wednesday, Ruston Police Officer D. Smith checked the license plate of a vehicle observed at Farmerville Street and Martin Luther King Drive and found the license of the registered owner was suspended. The car was stopped at the Brooks Village Apartments on Gill Street.
While the officer was talking to the driver about her suspended license, the smell of marijuana was detected. When asked about the marijuana, the driver said, “It’s not on me.”
The passenger, Howard Jackson, 26, was approached and a tan shoulder bag was found near him. During a search of the car, Officer Smith found a handgun in the bag. At that time, Jackson fled on foot.
Officer W. Aldridge gave chase and apprehended Jackson on Second Avenue. Once Jackson was secured, further search of the shoulder bag revealed a Smith & Wesson .40 pistol, three bags of marijuana, methamphetamine, synthetic marijuana, ecstasy pills, and alprazolam pills, all in quantities believed to show the intent to distribute the substances. Empty plastic bags and digital scales were also found in the bag.
Jackson was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession with intent to distribute marijuana, synthetic marijuana, MDMD (ecstasy), methamphetamine, alprazolam, and Oxycodone, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during commission of a drug felony, resisting an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, and parole violation.
The arresting officer’s affidavit noted Jackson was convicted of number drug charges and terrorizing in 2021 and is on parole through 2026.
No bail had been set as of press time.
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