TRAFFIC STOP YIELDS COCAINE AND MARIJUANA

On last Friday afternoon, Deputy Donnie Calamia, Jr. was stopped at the intersection of Highway 998 and Highway 308 in his fully marked patrol unit when he observed a vehicle with a driver not wearing a seatbelt.

Deputy Calamia turned around to get behind the vehicle and also observed the vehicle fail to come to a complete stop at a stop sign posted at the intersection Highway 998 and Highway 1. He then conducted a traffic stop and ordered the driver to step out of the vehicle. The driver who identified himself as Charles Knockum, age 23, of 180 Blackwell Lane, Belle Rose,  said he did not have a driver’s license. He then approached the passenger side of the vehicle to speak to the passenger and detected an extremely strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.

The passenger was identified as Russell Prean, age 29, of 220 Freetown Lane, Belle Rose, had active warrant for failure to appear for a Simple Burglary of an Inhabited Dwelling charges and was taken into custody. As he exited the vehicle, Deputy Calamia observed a clear plastic bag containing green vegetable substance believed to be marijuana and another clear plastic bag containing a white substance believed to be cocaine in plain view in the middle front seat of the vehicle. As Prean was handcuffed, he attempted to run away but was later restrained.  Knockum later stated “the weed was his” and he was later placed into custody. After a search of the car and both persons was conducted, deputies located approximately 2.6 ounces of cocaine, 4.1 ounces of marijuana and $1,060.00 of cash.

Arrested Persons:

Charles Knockum, age 23

180 Blackwell Lane

Belle Rose, Louisiana

Charges: Possession with intent to distribute Schedule I CDS (Marijuana), Possession with intent to distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine), No Seatbelt, Stop Sign Violation, and No Driver’s License

Bond Amount is $25,000 and he has posted Bond

Russell Prean, age 29

220 Freetown Lane

Belle Rose, Louisiana

Charges:  Possession with intent to Distribute Schedule I CDS (Marijuana), Possession with intent to distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine), Resisting an Officer, and Failure to Appear for Guilty Plea Cut Off on a Simple Burglary of Inhabited Dwelling Charge

Bond Amount is $71,000 and he is currently being held at Assumption Parish Detention Center