On August 29, 2018, Joshua Worley of Paincourtville, LA., age 30, pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance. Worley was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Thomas Daigle, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Jason Verdigets. This guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors following a 2017 traffic stop. 

          On April 15, 2017, a patrol deputy with the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of LA 70 Spur Paincourtville after observing a traffic violation. Upon making contact with the driver of the vehicle, who was identified as Joshua Worley, deputies detected a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Worley granted deputies consent to search the vehicle. As deputies began the search, Worley advised that he no longer wished for the deputies to continue the search. Deputies then requested assistance from a nearby K-9 unit. During deputies’ attempt to detain Worley, he broke away and attempted to flee on foot. While deputies pursued Worley on foot, they observed Worley throw a plastic bag containing a green substance later determined to be marijuana. Worley continued running and began emptying multiple small clear plastic bags containing a white powdery substance later determined to be cocaine. Deputies were able to apprehend Worley shortly after. Deputies then collected approximately 10 small clear plastic bags containing cocaine residue along with a bag containing a quantity of marijuana on the path taken by Worley. Deputies then deployed the K-9 to conduct an open-air sniff of the vehicle which presented a positive alert for the presence of narcotics. Deputies then conducted a search of the vehicle which resulted in locating a quantity of marijuana. While searching Worley’s person, deputies located a quantity of US currency. Worley was subsequently arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center. 

          Upon entering a guilty plea to the above-mentioned charges, as per the plea agreement with prosecutors, Worley was sentenced to 6 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.