TRAFFIC STOP – DRUG LAW VIOLATIONS, AGGRAVATED FLIGHT

TRAFFIC STOP – DRUG LAW VIOLATIONS, AGGRAVATED FLIGHT
VERNER JEROME BRADFORD

NAPOLEONVILLE – Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reports the arrest of Verner Jerome Bradford, 24, of 312 Williams Street, Donaldsonville, LA, on felony charges arising out of a Saturday morning traffic stop near Paincourtville, LA.

A uniformed patrol deputy observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation and initiated a stop of the vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver and one passenger now identified as Verner Jerome Bradford. At the time, Bradford provided deputies a fictitious name.

The deputy noted a crushed powder like substance on the suspect’s clothing. During the officer / passenger interview, the suspect acknowledged that the substance was MDMA (Ecstasy). The suspect was arrested.

At some point, the deputy determined that the passenger’s correct identification was Verner Jerome Bradford and he was wanted on numerous charges related to an
August 1, 2020 incident. In that matter, Verner Jerome Bradford was the driver of a vehicle deputies attempted to stop for a traffic violation. Bradford engaged deputies in a pursuit situation that ended when Bradford crashed the vehicle. Bradford fled on foot and was able to avoid capture, until now.

After Saturday’s arrest, Bradford was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on charges arising out of both incidents.

Relative to the August 1, 2020 incident, Bradford was booked on warrants charging him with:

*Aggravated Flight from an Officer
*Illegal Carrying of Weapons in the Presence of Controlled Dangerous Substances
*Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm
*Simple Criminal Damage to Property
*Possession of Marijuana

*Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

During the August 1, 2020 arrest, deputies seized a large caliber handgun which had been reported stolen.

As a result of Saturday’s arrest, Verner Jerome Bradford was booked on charges of:

*Possession of MDMA (Ecstasy)
*Taking Contraband to/from a Penal Institution
*Resisting an Officer
*Illegal Carrying of Weapons
*Possession of Fentanyl
*Fugitive – Ascension Parish

Verner Jerome Bradford remains incarcerated with bond set $120,000.

For additional information concerning this News Release, contact Sheriff Leland Falcon or Public Information Officer, Lonny Cavalier at 985-369-7281.