By Pat Culverhouse
A Minden man had a rude awakening early Wednesday morning when Minden police officers and members of the department’s Special Response Team came knocking at his Brenda Circle residence to enforce arrest and search warrants.
As a result, 32-year-old Justin Bridges now finds himself facing a bevy of charges including possession of drugs with intent to distribute and several serious firearms violations. Chief of Police Jared McIver said Bridges, a convicted felon, was already the subject of three warrants charging him with distribution of illegal drugs.
During a search of his residence officers found additional evidence including roughly 26 ounces of synthetic marijuana, a pair of handguns (one with the serial number defaced) and $1,000 in cash hidden in a shoe.
Officers reportedly found one 9MM handgun hidden under a mattress in the master bedroom and the other, a 9MM Glock 43, secreted in a shoe in a closet.
McIver said Bridges is now charged with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm, two counts possession of a firearm in the presence of a CDS, possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number, possession of a CDS in the presence of juveniles and possession of CDS Sch. I (synthetic marijuana) with intent to distribute.
Police also reportedly seized two vehicles in connection with their investigation into Bridges’ illegal drug activities.
Bridges is being held on a total bond of $45,000 on the three warrants charging him with distribution of CDS Sch. I (synthetic marijuana). Bond has not been set on additional charges.
Narcotics division detectives Lt. Shane Griffith and Lt. Kenny James said Wednesday’s raid reflects the MPD’s continuing push to combat illegal narcotics in the city.
“It doesn’t matter if you live in an outhouse or a penthouse, if you sell drugs in Minden you’re going to jail. No matter how long it takes, we will eventually get you,” Griffith said.
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.
