By Bonnie Culverhouse
Two South Carolina residents, traveling across north Louisiana at a high rate of speed, are now cooling their jets in Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker says his office was notified by Bienville Parish about a blue Volvo with a Georgia plate heading east on U.S. Highway 80.
“As it neared Minden, the Volvo turned into a private drive and crashed,” Parker said. “The two occupants – later identified as John B. Long and Keri R. Etheridge, then exited the vehicle and fled on foot.”
Following a search of the area that took several hours, the two suspects were taken into custody, however, neither reportedly admitted to any knowledge of the pursuit.
Once the vehicle was towed, Parker said a search warrant was obtained and approximately 29.5 pills, identified as a Sch. IV narcotic, along with a handwritten check to Long were confiscated.
“Narcotics officers separated Long and Etheridge to interview them,” Parker said. “Long denied any knowledge of any of the event and stated he did not understand what was going on.
“Etheridge stated they rented the vehicle in Alabama from an unknown person and picked it up at a dealership there,” the sheriff continued. “She went on to say she had no knowledge of the prescription medication that was found in a plastic baggie that was closed in a box on the passenger side of the vehicle.”
John B. Long, 35, and Keri R. Etheridge, 34, both of South Carolina, were arrested by WPSO Narcotics officers Lt. Joel Thomas, Dep. Chase Wimberly and Dep. Shawn Jenkins.
They are charged with possession of Sch. IV narcotics with intent to distribute.
