A Bogalusa man was arrested Thursday, after a Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped his vehicle and recovered a stolen firearm from it, according to WPSO Chief Deputy Mike Haley.

Haley said that while on patrol in southeast Bogalusa, WPSO Patrol Deputy Tyler Lindsey stopped a car being driven by a man not wearing a seatbelt. During the traffic stop, Lindsey learned that the driver had a weapon in the vehicle, Haley said.

Sgt. David Cupp responded to the scene and assisted while the driver exited the vehicle and Lindsey recovered the semi-automatic pistol, which was reportedly concealed between the driver’s seat and the center console. Haley said the 9mm fully-loaded pistol had been reported stolen out of St. Tammany Parish.

When running a background check on the driver, it was discovered that he had three outstanding warrants for his arrest, Haley said. He was wanted for driving while intoxicated, speeding and failure to comply with conditions of probation.

The driver, Duane Eric Cotton, 35, a resident of Byrd Avenue in Bogalusa, was arrested and booked into the Washington Parish Jail. He was charged with illegal possession of a stolen firearm, three counts of failure to appear in court and not wearing a seat belt. As of Thursday afternoon, he remained in jail with no bond set.

Haley said that this is Cotton’s third stay in the Washington Parish Jail. In 2009, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated and speeding. His second arrest was later in 2009 for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension.

“Our officers are non-stop when it comes to enforcing the law,” Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said. “Our patrol officers, our detectives and our jail staff are vigilant and professional in all they do. All of the citizens of Washington Parish are fortunate to have them protecting us and I am blessed to have them working for me.”