Detectives from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office seized multiple illegal firearms and burglary tools during a traffic stop in Slidell earlier this week. The operation took place on Tuesday evening near Oak Harbor and Interstate 10, where officers stopped a red 2010 Nissan Versa traveling northbound.
The vehicle was occupied by four individuals: Dakari Williams, 23, of Slidell; Lavonte Price, 18, of New Orleans; Aalijah Lyons, 17, of New Orleans; and a 16-year-old juvenile. During the stop, one occupant attempted to dispose of marijuana, prompting detectives to search the vehicle.
Inside the car, authorities found four firearms: a Taurus G2C 9mm pistol; a mini-Draco Avtomat Kalashnikova 7.62x39mm style pistol; a Glock 19 9mm pistol that had been reported stolen in Jefferson Parish and illegally modified; and a FEDARM AR-15 .223 style pistol that had also been illegally modified for automatic fire. Detectives also recovered items linked to vehicle burglaries and thefts, including a device for cloning automotive smart keys, remote fobs, transponder chips, ski masks, gloves, goggles, and a window punch tool.
All four occupants were arrested. The adults were taken to the St. Tammany Parish Jail while the juvenile was sent to the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center. Upon arrival at jail, Williams was found with three Tapentadol tablets—a Schedule II narcotic.
Williams faces several charges including possession of a machine gun; possession of a stolen firearm; felon in possession of a firearm (four counts); possession of a firearm in the presence of controlled dangerous substances (four counts); possession of Schedule II CDS; introduction of contraband into a penal facility; lack of required insurance; and driving under suspension.
Price was charged with possession of a machine gun and possession of a stolen firearm. Lyons faces similar charges. The juvenile is charged with possession of a machine gun, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of marijuana (Schedule I), and obstruction of justice.
“This case highlights the importance of proactive policing,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “By actively patrolling areas where criminal activity is known to occur, our deputies and detectives are able to intervene before these illegal weapons are used and before residents become victims. Removing these firearms and burglary tools from our streets helps prevent crimes that could otherwise be inevitable.”
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.
Sheriff Smith encouraged anyone with information about narcotics or other crimes to submit tips through the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office website at www.STPSO.com or by calling either the narcotics tip line at 1-888-GO-2-JAIL or Crimestoppers. Tips can remain anonymous and may qualify for cash rewards through Crimestoppers.
