The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force arrested two people Monday at a motel south of Bogalusa and charged both with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The arrests came after a tip prompted undercover surveillance at the Sportsman’s Inn in Bogalusa, according to a WPSO release.

Detectives reportedly noticed a female and a male leaving a room, followed their vehicle and performed a stop based on a traffic infraction. They then asked the suspects for, but were denied, permission to search the couple’s motel room.

After obtaining a search warrant for the room, detectives found four bags of marijuana and scales, according to the release.

Leonard Lewis, 29, and Beth Ann Hillburn, 22, were arrested and booked into the Washington Parish Jail. As of press time, no bond had been set.

At the time of his arrest, Lewis allegedly told detectives, “These charges will never stick. I know people.”

Sheriff Randy Seal begged to disagree.

“Those days are over in Washington Parish,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who you are or who you know. As I said in my inauguration speech, if you do the crime, you will do the time.

“Now that Mr. Lewis has made this boast, we will follow this case closely to see if anyone attempts to interfere with this prosecution. If this happens, we will investigate any person who interferes.

“I repeatedly tell my deputies to do their job, and I fully intend to support them.”