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Two Bogalusa residents were recently taken into custody on drug and weapon charges after a traffic stop, according to Chief Deputy Mike Haley of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Early Wednesday morning, WPSO Sgt. Jay Dupre observed a driver committing traffic violations at the intersection of West Eighth Street and Avenue B in Bogalusa, Haley said. Dupre initiated a traffic stop and encountered Steven Lynn Crenshaw Sr., 47, a resident of Avenue H in Bogalusa, and Amanda Nealy, 44, a resident of Don Bates Circle in Bogalusa.

While talking with the occupants of the vehicle, Dupre reportedly detected a strong smell of marijuana and noticed a pistol holster in plain view. He had both occupants exit the vehicle and placed them in handcuffs for safety reasons, Haley said.

“Deputy James Gregorio arrived to assist and he and Dupre searched the vehicle after receiving verbal permission from the driver,” Haley said. “During the search, the officers discovered a quantity of marijuana and methamphetamine, along with a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol and drug paraphernalia. Both occupants were then placed under arrest and transported to jail.”

Crenshaw was booked on charges of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of illegal drugs, possession of illegal drugs with a firearm present, possession of drug paraphernalia and traffic offenses. Nealy was booked on charges of possession of illegal drugs with a firearm present and possession of illegal drugs.

Crenshaw has seen the inside of the jail on several different occasions since 2007, Haley said. Charges for his seven previous arrests included being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, sale or distribution of illegal drugs, possession of illegal drugs, parole violation, traffic offenses, forgery, theft and multiple counts of failure to appear in court.

Haley said that Nealy has one previous stay in the Washington Parish Jail. In March, she was booked on charges of possession of illegal drugs, introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, resisting an officer, driving while intoxicated and traffic offenses.

“What these two were doing at two o’clock in the morning is anybody’s guess,” Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said. “Whatever their plans might have been, those plans were thwarted by an alert Sgt. Dupre. Good job, Sgt. Dupre and Deputy Gregorio!”