WPSO detectives conclude lengthy investigation

By Pat Culverhouse

Webster Parish detectives closed a lengthy drug investigation Friday with the arrest of a Doyline couple on multiple charges including possession with intent to distribute.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said 57-year-old Wendy Lynette Luciani is charged on 11 counts, nine of which involve illegal drugs. Her companion, 53-year-old Willie Joe Hickingbottom, is looking at both drug and firearm charges.

Major Bobby Igo III said the pair were pulled over for a traffic violation on Parish Line Rd. by Sgt. Lance Chanler, and gave consent for a vehicle search. Sgt. Josh McCormick and Det. Ben Allen reportedly arrived to assist.

During the search, deputies reportedly found 58 grams of suspected methamphetamines hidden behind the steering wheel in the dashboard. Two small bags of suspected marijuana reportedly were also found in Luciani’s purse.

A search warrant had previously been approved for the couple’s residence in the 2500 block of Hwy. 163, and deputies executed a search.

Inside, the team found 23.56 grams of suspected methamphetamines, 36.73 grams of suspected marijuana, 21.5 Oxycodone pills, 4.5 Hydrocodone pills, 16 Methadone pills, 11 Colazapam pills, three Alprazocam pills, three Xanax pills, eight Ecstasy pills and one Diazepam pill.

Also, deputies found a .22 caliber handgun sitting atop a dresser in the master bedroom.

Luciani reportedly admitted ownership of all the narcotics inside the residence.

Charges against Luciani include possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines) with intent to distribute, three counts possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines), and possession of CDS Sch. I (marijuana).

Also, possession of CDS Sch. I (Ecstasy), three counts possession of CDS Sch. IV, possession of a firearm in presence of CDS and as a fugitive from Okaloosa County (FL) Sheriff’s Office. Her bond has been set at $100,001.

Hickingbottom is in Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center on charges of possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines) with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in presence of CDS. His bond is set at $85,000.

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.