A Reserve man who deputies say bolted from a LaPlace traffic stop on April 14 is now behind bars, nine days and one recovered rifle later. St. John Parish deputies reported that 22-year-old Irine Bailey ran into a wooded area during the stop and slipped away, only to be arrested at his home on April 23. The driver of the car was taken into custody at the scene on a drug charge, and detectives reported finding a rifle on the front passenger floorboard. Bailey was booked on counts that include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and resisting an officer by fight.
According to a press release from the St. John Parish Sheriff's Office, officers with the Patrol and Narcotics divisions stopped a red Nissan Sentra in the 3500 block of Highway 51 in LaPlace at about 1:20 p.m. on April 14. As deputies approached, the passenger, later identified as Bailey, took off running into a nearby wooded area. Detectives, patrol deputies and SWAT combed the area but could not locate him that day. Detectives reported finding a rifle on the front passenger-side floorboard of the Sentra, and the driver, 23-year-old Roquan King of Reserve, was arrested on scene for possession of tapentadol. Bailey was ultimately arrested at his residence on April 23 without incident, according to the release.
What Officers Found
Tapentadol is a prescription opioid sold under the brand name NUCYNTA and is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, according to prescribing information on DailyMed. Possession of tapentadol without a valid prescription can be charged under state drug laws. The sheriff's release did not make clear whether the medication King was accused of possessing had been prescribed.
Charges And Legal Exposure
The sheriff's release states that Bailey's criminal history includes convictions for second-degree rape, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and principal to aggravated burglary, and that he is currently on parole. Under LEAAC, Louisiana law at La. R.S. 14:95.1 prohibits people convicted of certain listed felonies from possessing firearms and sets mandatory penalties that can involve years in prison and fines. To secure a new firearm-possession conviction under that statute, prosecutors would need to show Bailey knew the weapon was present and that his prior convictions fall within the crimes covered by the law.
Where This Fits Locally
The arrest comes amid a string of targeted enforcement efforts by the parish sheriff's office in recent months aimed at getting illegal guns off the street and making weapons-related arrests. As reported by sweeps that led to multiple arrests, deputies have been conducting operations that resulted in several firearm recoveries. The sheriff's office has asked anyone with information to contact its tip line, according to the release.
