Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Deputies have arrested a Sabine Parish man while trafficking illegal narcotics through the Marthaville community according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones Jr.

The investigation began on Friday evening at approximately 8:15pm, when Sheriff's Criminal Patrol Units stopped a 1991 Oldsmobile Delta on La. Hwy 120, just east of Marthaville, La. for Speeding.

During the traffic stop, deputies suspected criminal activity and while writing the traffic citation, the driver entered his vehicle fleeing the scene, leading sheriff's deputies on a 10.6 mile pursuit through Marthaville, and into Sabine Parish on La. Hwy 120, where the vehicle eventually stopped, causing the suspect to abandone the vehicle, fleeing into the woods, dropping approximately 2.5 pounds of suspected marijuana valued at approximately $3000.00 on the roadway and in the woods.

A 16 year old juvenile passenger was taken into custody at the scene.

Natchitoches deputies were joined by Sabine Parish Sheriff's Deputies, the Louisiana State Police and Zwolle Police who conducted a search of the area but were unable to locate the suspect at that time, although the suspects' identity was known.

At approximately 12:42am, Julius T. "Nut" Winfield, 27 of 1375 Oak Street, Zwolle, La. turned himself in at the Natchitoches Parish Sheriffs Office where he was booked and placed in the Natchitoches Detention Center charged with:

*Possession of CDS I Marijuana with Intent to Distribute-3rd Offense

*Resisting by Flight

*Illegal Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance in the presence of persons under the age of 17

*2 Counts of Speeding

*2 Counts of Improper Lane Usage

*1 Count of Reckless Operation of a Vehicle

Deputies learned during the investigation, that the suspect allegedly purchased the suspected marijuana in the Natchitoches area and was traveling through the Robeline-Marthaville area to Zwolle, La. when stopped by deputies according to Sheriff Jones.

Winfield has prior convictions for burglary and narcotics in Sabine Parish.

Tenth Judicial District Court Judge Dee Hawthorne set bond at $18,000.00.

Sheriff Jones, stated that his criminal patrol units and patrol division deputies have seized over 12 pounds of suspected marijuana, esctasy pills and fifteen guns valued over $14500.00 in the last two months.

In addition, Drug Task Force Agents have made significant narcotics seizures.