A Ruston man was arrested early Wednesday after a traffic stop for speeding on South Maple Street.
Ja’laen Bonner, 24, of Ruston, was arrested at 12:15 a.m. Oct. 28 by the Ruston Police Department at South Maple and Saratoga streets.
According to an arrest affidavit, an officer conducting stationary radar at about 12:03 a.m. saw a gray 2026 Kia traveling about 42 mph in a 25 mph zone. The vehicle stopped at Saratoga Street, and Bonner, who was driving, told the officer his license was suspended and that he had traffic warrants.
Dispatch advised that Bonner’s warrants included a Third Judicial District Court bench warrant for possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug. The officer ordered him out of the vehicle and searched him. Bonner told the officer he had a firearm under the driver’s seat and 8 grams of marijuana.
Bonner was placed in handcuffs, advised of his rights and put in the back of a patrol unit. He said he understood his rights and agreed to a search of the vehicle. The officer found a Glock 19x pistol, a plastic bag containing marijuana and a joint containing marijuana. The marijuana had a field weight of 11.1 grams. Dispatch advised that the firearm was clear and that Bonner was not prohibited from carrying one.
The officer issued Bonner citations for speeding and driving under suspension. Bonner was taken to Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked on a charge of possession of marijuana.
He was also booked as a fugitive from another jurisdiction on the Third Judicial District Court warrant. He was booked on two Ruston bench warrants as well, one for failure to register a vehicle and one for no liability insurance.
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.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:45 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
