BPD officers make drug arrests

Published 8:22 am Friday, November 27, 2015

The Bogalusa Police Department made two drug-related arrests earlier this week.

Angie’s Jerrick Henry and Bogalusa’s Justin Bickham were stopped in separate incidents and officers found drugs on each.

On Monday, Henry apparently rear-ended Bogalusa Animal Control Officer David Kellis’ vehicle near the Cumberland Street and Willis Avenue bridge.

“We smelled marijuana coming from Henry’s vehicle and found a large amount of marijuana in the car,” said an investigating officer, who requested anonymity because BPD officers are not authorized to speak about arrests. “We found a total of three bags of marijuana, and one of those bags was packaged for sale. We also found a digital scale and a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson pistol.”

Henry was charged with following too closely, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm, possession of controlled dangerous substance and drug paraphernalia. He remained in the Washington Parish Jail as of Thursday afternoon with bond set at $16,000.

The following day around noon, BPD officers made a routine traffic stop at Elm and Spruce streets in the Brookside neighborhood. The driver, Bogalusa’s Justin Bickham, had a non-functioning taillight.

“We saw paraphernalia on the front seat and a Mason jar full of marijuana and scales on the back seat,” one of the investigating officers said.

Bickham was charged with possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs and failure to appear for arraignment on a seat belt violation.

Bickham was transferred to the parish jail on Wednesday. No bond has been set.

Bogalusa Mayor Wendy Perrette said she was pleased by the arrests.

“I’m proud of all the men and women of the Bogalusa Police Department. We have a more pro-active police force,” Perrette said. “Everybody on Arkansas Avenue is working hard to improve the quality of life for all of Bogalusa.”