By Bonnie Culverhouse

A traffic stop due to an expired license plate led to the arrests of 2 persons just after midnight Saturday on Highway 371 north of Dixie Inn.

Webster Parish Sheriff’s deputies took into custody Jeffery Alan Delano, 38, of the 100 block of Miller Rd., Doyline, on 3 active warrants.

Sheriff Jason Parker said Sgt. Josh McCormick was arresting officer with Dep. Matthew Hicks and Lt. Charles Wimberly assisting.

“Sgt. McCormick noticed Delano at a truck stop in Dixie Inn and knew he had warrants through us,” Parker said. “He followed the blue Ford pick-up truck to a driveway and initiated the traffic stop at the corner of Highway 371 and Wallace Circle.”

Parker said McCormick made contact with Delano, the driver, and his passenger 34-year-old Veronica Clemons of Minden.

“While the sergeant was waiting to hear from dispatch about the warrants, Clemons exited the vehicle and tried to go inside the house,” said the sheriff. “She had seemed very nervous during the course of the stop, so McCormick said he believed she may have been trying to hide some type of illegal contraband when she tried to go in the house.”

Clemons reportedly returned to the truck when instructed, however, she asked to get inside the truck because she “was cold.”

Both persons were placed under arrest and, at that time, McCormick reportedly noticed a pill bottle in Clemons’ purse.

“She said they were Gabapentin and were not prescribed to her,” Parker said. “When the sergeant checked the bottle, the name on it was a third party. She said the bottle belonged to that person, but the pills were hers.”

A search incident to arrest led deputies to a clear baggie with suspected crystal methamphetamine in the center console. Also found were a glass meth pipe and a marijuana pipe.

“Clemons and Delano denied the suspected drugs belonged to either,” said the sheriff.

Clemons was booked for possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a legend drug and as a fugitive from Minden Police.

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.