A routine traffic stop in St. Charles Parish has led to the arrest of a man on multiple charges, including possession of narcotics and firearms. On March 25, deputies pulled over a black Nissan Altima for a traffic violation on Paul Maillard Road at Tinney Street in Boutte. The encounter with 30-year-old Briste Williams, of Dequincy, Louisiana, began over a traffic infraction but swiftly took a turn after deputies claimed to have detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. A search, conducted post the exit of Williams and his occupants, revealed an assortment of drugs and weapons, as reported by the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office.
According to a Facebook post by the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office, officers discovered 914 grams of marijuana, 14 grams of cocaine, seven Tapentadol pills, a ZEV 9mm handgun along with 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and a Smith and Wesson .223 caliber AR Pistol, also with ammunition. The Sheriff's Office notes that all individuals are to be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Briste Williams is facing a series of charges including possession with intent to distribute cocaine, illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm and carrying concealed by a convicted felon, prohibited acts related to Schedule II substances, as well as contraband in a penal institution, among other traffic-related infractions, as per the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office.
In addition to the narcotics and firearms, Williams was also charged with disobeying traffic control signals and driving without a license. Notably, among the charges was also a fugitive warrant, adding to the complexities of his legal predicament. Further details regarding the warrant were not immediately disclosed. Williams' arrest and the seizure of items were announced by Sgt. Jenni Barrette, the Public Information Officer for the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office, though additional inquiries can be directed to the contact provided in their release.
