On May 6, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) initiated a traffic stop on St. John Road for a non-moving violation. The driver of the vehicle Kendrick Smith of 352 Gladney Farm Road Homer, Louisiana was determined to have a suspended Louisiana driver’s license. Smith was taken into custody for the suspended driver’s license.
While the CPSO deputy was placing Smith into the patrol unit, the passenger of the vehicle, identified as Demarius D. Willis fled on foot from the vehicle and the scene of the traffic stop. A brief foot pursuit ensued, but the CPSO deputy was unable to take Willis into custody.
CPSO subsequently recovered marijuana, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, Hydrocodone, Adderall, two digital scales and a Taurus 9mm pistol.
Smith was later transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center (CPDC) where he was incarcerated and charged with six counts Possession of Schedule II CDS With Intent to Distribute, Possession of Schedule I CDS With Intent to Distribute, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Firearm in Presence of CDS, Driving Under Suspension, Brake Lamp required on Motor Vehicle, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
CPSO subsequently obtained arrest warrants for Demarius Willis.
On May 11, CPSO confirmed a location in Arcadia where Willis was hiding. Due to jurisdictional restrictions, CPSO requested members of the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office (BPSO) to serve arrest warrants on Willis.
Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office provided their Special Response Team (SRT) and members from their Patrol and Criminal Investigations Division to assist CPSO.
BPSO SRT executed a state search warrant at the Arcadia Motel in Arcadia, Louisiana. Willis was taken into custody without incident or injuries. A subsequent search of the motel room where he was arrested resulted in the seizure of approximately one pound of marijuana.
Willis was arrested for the outstanding arrest warrants from Claiborne Parish and additionally charged with drug charges in Bienville Parish. He was booked at the Bienville Parish jail, pending extradition to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center (CPDC).
On May 12, Willis was booked and incarcerated at the CPDC. He was charged with the following: Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Flight From an Officer, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of CDS, Possession of Schedule II
CDS With Intent to Distribute (6 counts), Possession of Schedule I CDS With Intent to Distribute and Obstruction of Justice.
Claiborne Parish Sheriff Sam Dowies is committed to protecting citizens from individuals who choose to be involved with narcotics trafficking. Sheriff Dowies believes combating drug trafficking is vital to deterring crime and protecting citizens. Sheriff Dowies would like to thank Bienville Parish Sheriff John Balance and his deputies for their dedication and professionalism while assisting with this incident.
Individuals with knowledge or information of illegal activities are encouraged to contact the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at (318) 927-2011.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named 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.
