By Pat Culverhouse

A Minden man is currently being held on a variety of charges, including distribution of illegal narcotics, after he allegedly acted suspiciously in an attempt to avoid contact with a police officer.

Valentin Emanuel Guerrero, a 26-year-old resident of the 500 block of Myers St., is charged with possession of CDS Sch. I (synthetic marijuana), possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines) with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and on multiple arrest warrants. His bond reportedly has been set at $20,000.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said Lt. Brandon Curry was patrolling on Lee St. around 5:45 p.m. Monday when he observed Guerrero walking on the side of the roadway. As Lt. Curry approached, Guerrero reportedly turned his head away, attempting to hide his face from the officer.

When the officer turned his vehicle around to approach the suspect, Guerrero reportedly turned, walked in the opposite direction and entered an abandoned residence on Lee St. After multiple commands to exit the house, Guerrero reportedly complied.

A request for records showed Guerrero was wanted by Minden police on three active warrants. A subsequent search of the suspect revealed six individual bags of reported methamphetamines, one rolled marijuana cigarette and drug paraphernalia.

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.