On Thursday, Sept. 4, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives assisted Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole agents and Franklinton Police officers in a residence check on 16th Avenue in Franklinton. The objective of the residence check was to determine the whereabouts of Alvester Thomas, who was supposedly living at that address.

Upon arriving at the residence, officers encountered a male and female who were inside. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the male, identified as Dedrick Eugene Cooper, 37, was acting suspiciously, so he was searched by officers, who discovered a .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol, marijuana, cocaine and $160.42 cash in his trouser pockets.

Cooper was arrested and transported to the Washington Parish Jail. He was charged with possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs, possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs and possession of a controlled dangerous substance with a weapon present.

Bond was set at $35,000.

After discovering the weapon and narcotics, officers asked the homeowner, identified as Kathlyn Magee, 44, for permission to search her residence. She granted permission, and during the search, officers discovered 22 grams of marijuana, crack cocaine and $480.50 in cash.

Magee admitted that the drugs and cash were hers.

Magee was arrested and transported to the Washington Parish Jail. She was charged with possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs, possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs and failure to appear.

Bond was set at $30,500.

“Drug dealers throughout our parish need to understand that we are on their trail, so it is best for them either to get out of the drug trade or get out of the parish,” Sheriff Randy Seal said. “We may not catch them today, but we will continue to pursue them until they are in jail. It doesn’t matter if they are selling drugs in Franklinton, in Bogalusa or anywhere else. We are looking for them and will eventually find them. As they can see from this arrest, all law enforcement agencies are working together to rid our neighborhoods of drug dealers.”