By Bonnie Culverhouse
Working the Safety Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) on Interstate 20 netted Minden Police a Shreveport man on drug charges.
Charles Asante Reynolds, 23, of Clay Street in Shreveport, was arrested Sunday afternoon and is charged with possession of natural Marijuana and possession of a firearm with a controlled dangerous substance.
Chief Steve Cropper said Off. Jared McIver was working I-20 when he initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling 84 miles per hour in a 70-mph-zone.
“Upon contact with the driver, Off. McIver noticed the odor of Marijuana,” Cropper said. “Lt. Chris Hammontree and Off. Ben Sparks arrived on scene to assist and they also noticed the odor. The driver, Reynolds, provided Off. McIver with an ashtray full of burnt Marijuana cigars. He also advised officers there was a firearm in the glove box.”
McIver reportedly secured the firearm, a Taurus 9MM loaded with five rounds of ammunition.
“Lt. Hammontree received consent to search the vehicle and he located a baggie of natural Marijuana – 22.15 grams – in the sunglasses holder in the headliner of the vehicle,” said the chief. “Reynolds told officers he had purchased the Marijuana four days ago and forgotten about it. He was arrested and the vehicle was released to a female passenger.”
