By Pat Culverhouse
Attempting to flee a traffic stop on Interstate 20 didn’t work out well for a Georgia man who now is sitting in the parish prison looking at multiple charges, including possession of illegal narcotics.
Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver said 21-year-old Jaymar Isaiah Ponder of Lithonia, Georgia, is currently being held under a $25,504 bond at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
He reportedly is charged with speeding (89 m.p.h. in a 70-zone), aggravated flight, driving under suspension, simple possession of CDS Sch. I (marijuana), possession of CDS Sch.I (THC pen) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Minden Police Officer KenDale Booker was working the interstate shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday when he reportedly clocked a vehicle traveling eastbound at 89 miles per hour in a 70 zone.
When the officer activated his emergency lights and siren, the vehicle reportedly accelerated quickly, reaching speeds of more than 110 miles per hour. At the 47-mile marker, the vehicle reportedly took the exit but returned to the interstate and continued east.
As Ponder reentered the interstate, his vehicle reportedly forced another onto the shoulder of the road. He reportedly continued to drive in a reckless manner at high speeds in an attempt to elude the officer, but finally came to a stop after roughly four miles of chase.
A search of the vehicle reportedly was initiated when Officer Booker noticed the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle following Ponder’s arrest. During the search, 30 grams of marijuana, a grinder, one digital scale, rolling paper and one THC pen was found.
In drug terms, a THC pen (often called a weed pen, vape pen, or cartridge) is a handheld electronic device designed to vaporize concentrated cannabis oil or extracts for inhalation.
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.