By Pat Culverhouse
An attempted traffic stop for speeding on U.S. Hwy. 371 Sunday afternoon evolved into a high-speed chase, taking Webster Parish deputies on a pursuit along winding rural roadways before successfully ending with the arrest of a Cotton Valley man.
Sheriff Jason Parker said 21-year-old Isiah Jeshun Johnson is currently being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center on a number of offenses and a more serious charge of felon in possession of a firearm.
“During the pursuit, our deputies observed three items being thrown from the vehicle. One of the items found was an AR-15 style weapon, wrapped in a gray jacket,” Parker said. “Also, during a search of the vehicle a handgun was discovered.”
Parker said the incident began shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday when Sgt. Tommy Maddox tried to pull over a vehicle for exceeding the 55 m.p.h. speed limit on Hwy. 371 south of Cotton Valley. Rather than stop, the vehicle reportedly accelerated to 110 m.p.h.
Sgt. Maddox reportedly pursued the vehicle as it turned onto Doc Steed Rd., then onto Fuller Rd. at speeds exceeding 75 m.p.h. The suspect’s vehicle reportedly drove in the southbound lane several times while traveling north, and entered the southbound ditch on Fuller Rd. numerous times.
Other units reportedly joined the pursuit and the vehicle was finally stopped on Fuller Rd. at Hwy. 371. Parker said the suspect was wearing a camouflage ski mask when he was taken from the vehicle, apparently in an attempt to conceal his face during the pursuit.
In addition to a handgun, deputies reportedly found an open bottle of alcohol and a set of scales with marijuana residue inside the vehicle.
In addition to the firearm charges, Johnson faces counts of flight from an officer/aggravated flight from officers, taking contraband to/from a penal institution, obstruction of justice and wearing of masks or hoods in public places. Bond has not been set.
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.