Ruston Police Department officers arrested 24-year-old Ja’laen Bonner of Ruston at 12:15 a.m. on Oct. 28 at South Maple and Saratoga streets.[1] An officer on stationary radar saw Bonner driving a gray 2026 Kia about 42 mph in a 25 mph zone before the vehicle stopped at Saratoga Street.[1] Bonner told the officer that his license was suspended and that he had traffic warrants.[1] Dispatch said his warrants included a Third Judicial District Court bench warrant for possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug.[1] Bonner told the officer that he had a firearm under the driver’s seat and 8 grams of marijuana.[1]
After Bonner was handcuffed and agreed to a vehicle search, the officer found a Glock 19x pistol, a plastic bag containing marijuana and a joint containing marijuana, with a field weight of 11.1 grams.[1] Dispatch advised that the firearm was clear and that Bonner was not prohibited from carrying one.[1] The officer cited Bonner for speeding and driving under suspension, then took him to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked him on a charge of possession of marijuana.[1] He was also booked as a fugitive on the Third Judicial District Court warrant and on two Ruston bench warrants for failure to register a vehicle and no liability insurance.[1]
The account comes from an arrest affidavit released as law-enforcement public information.[1] Bonner has not been convicted and is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.[1]
