Lincoln Parish Sheriff Stephen Williams has announced the arrest of two Lincoln parish men following an eight-month multi-agency investigation that led to the seizure of illegal drugs and firearms.
Michael Zane Talbert, 40, Simsboro, and George L. Trantham, 43, of Choudrant, were taken into custody on August 15.. The investigation led to the discovery of over two pounds of methamphetamine and multiple firearms. Among the recovered weapons were a sawed-off shotgun, which had been illegally modified, and a stolen firearm, both posing significant public safety risks, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Trantham was stopped about 10:00 a.m. when a Ruston Police sergeant saw him operating a Chevrolet truck with an expired license plate and a shattered windshield.
Trantham appeared extremely nervous and had no valid driver’s license.
When asked about anything illegal in the truck, Trantham was evasive and became more nervous.
The Sheriff’s Office responded with a drug detection K-9 which performed an open air search around the truck, alerting to the presence of the odor of narcotics. About 1.6 pounds of methamphetamine were found in the truck.
Several hours later, a search warrant was executed at Talbert’s residence on McGuire Road. Recovered during the search were two bags containing approximately 256 grams of methamphetamine, a Kimber 9mm pistol, Ruger .40 caliber pistol, a Browning 12-gauge shotgun with the barrel sawed off to less than 18 inches, three rifles, and numerous vacuum seal bags containing marijuana residue.
Talbert has a previous drug conviction and is prohibited from possessing firearms. One of the rifles, a AR-10 .308, was determined to be stolen.
Talbert was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of firearms during a drug felony, and possession of a stolen firearm.
Trantham was booked for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance in a drug-free zone, no driver’s license, obscured windshield, expired license plate.
“These arrests are the result of outstanding collaboration local and federal agencies,” Williams said. “The narcotics and weapons recovered in this operation represent a serious threat that has now been removed from our community.”
Sheriff Williams thanked the following agencies for their critical assistance in the investigation: Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team, U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Metro Narcotics, Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office, Ruston Police, and the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Division and K-9 Unit.
Williams added, “These arrests send a clear message: we will not tolerate the distribution of dangerous drugs or the possession of illegal firearms.”
