By Bonnie Culverhouse
A Minden man purchased a glass pipe at a local convenience store and bought a ticket to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center at the same time.
Tony Allen Richard, 62, of the 100 block of Austin Rd., Minden, is charged with possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and on an outstanding warrant for driving under suspension.
Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said Capt. Bobby Igo III and Sgt. Josh McCormick stopped at the Pine Street store last Friday afternoon to make a purchase.
“Richard was purchasing a glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine. He was standing in front of Capt. Igo,” Parker said. “When Capt. Igo informed Sgt. McCormick, the sergeant recognized Richard and checked for active arrest warrants through us, which dispatch confirmed.”
Parker said WPSO has received numerous tips that Richard has been known to use and sell illegal narcotics.
“Deputies asked Richard for consent to search his truck, and he gave consent,” said the sheriff. “Sgt. McCormick located a cigarette box containing a glass pipe with suspected meth residue inside.”
A gear shift attachment was found to have a clear baggie inside containing suspected methamphetamine. Some items were reportedly wrapped in a jacket along with Richard’s cell phone.
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.
