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FRANKLINTON, La. — In an ironic twist of fate, a 17-year-old Instagram user from Franklinton found himself in police custody after broadcasting his illegal activities on Instagram Live. According to the Franklinton Police Department, the teenager showcased a substantial amount of money and various drugs during his live stream, openly inviting viewers to contact him for drug purchases with the phrase “Get at me.”

Sgt. Trey Johnson of the Franklinton Police Department, who was not experiencing the social media outage that plagued many users, witnessed the live broadcast. The evidence provided by the teen’s own video led Sgt. Johnson to obtain a search warrant, resulting in the teenager’s arrest.

The 17-year-old, who was already on probation for aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, is facing multiple charges. The charges include possession with intent to distribute Fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute Schedule IV drugs, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and probation violation. Notably, the individual had previously brandished a firearm at Sgt. Johnson, adding a layer of history and tension to the arrest.

Authorities have seized the cash displayed in the live stream and have submitted it for forfeiture. In light of the arrest, the Franklinton Police Department has issued a reminder that suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, ensuring the public remembers the principles of justice and due process.

The case serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of sharing illegal activities on social media, highlighting law enforcement’s growing reliance on digital platforms to catch offenders in the act.