A Ruston man was arrested Sunday evening on weapon and drug charges after police responded to a report of disorderly people.
Johntarious E. Thomas, 20, was arrested at the dead end of King Avenue about 7 p.m. Sunday after an officer was dispatched to the area regarding individuals being loud and possibly smoking controlled substances. When an officer arrived, he saw a vehicle parked at the end of King Avenue occupied by Thomas. The officer saw smoke coming from inside the vehicle when Thomas opened the door. The officer also saw a bag of suspected marijuana on the back floorboard beside an AR-15 style rifle.
Thomas was detained and a search of the vehicle was conducted yielding over 68 grams of suspected marijuana, digital scales, and plastic baggies commonly used in drug trafficking. The rifle did not have a serial number visible.
Thomas allegedly admitted some of the marijuana was his after the initial amount was found. He stated there may be more in the vehicle. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of A drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled substance, and illegal possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Bail was set at $120,000.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
