~NARCOTIC PRESS RELEASE~ HEIDI SMITH

On July 8, 2024, Narcotic Agents while conducting criminal patrol within the city limits of Ville Platte, agents observed a blue Honda two-door car bearing Louisiana plate number 234 GMW, heading East on Hickory Street with a license plate cover obstructing the view of the License plate's expiration date.  Agents activated the emergency lights and sirens to affect a traffic stop and the vehicle did not stop until the driver approached the parking lot of Jack Miller on E Hickory Street and Jack Miller Road.
Upon making contact with the driver who identified as Heidi Smith.   Smith 31 of Ville Platte was advised of the reasoning behind the stop and was instructed to produce her driver's license, place the vehicle in park, and then turn the vehicle off due to suspicion that Smith would attempt to evade law enforcement.  Agents also could smell a strong odor of marijuana resonating from the driver's side of the vehicle.  Smith then stated "fuck this' and accelerated off heading Northbound in an attempt of fleeing from the stop. Smith turned right onto Main Street from Jack Miller almost causing a traffic collision and swerving in and out of her lane. Smith proceeded East Bound at a high rate of speed of approximately 90 Mph.  All patrol units were advised of the pursuit.  Upon Smith approaching Crimson she then turned onto Crimson and proceeded to drive at an accelerated rate of speed. Smith turned left onto Sixth Street. From Sixth Street, Smith approached Central and turned right. Once on Central Street Smith turned right on Seventh Street and proceeded to turn right again on Crimson. Once on Crimson Smith turned right onto Fourth Street. Once on Fourth Street Smith turned right back onto Central. From Central Smith turn right onto Sixth Street. Upon coming to the intersection of Sixth and Crimson, Smith crashed into a ditch.   Agents made contact with Smith and instructed her to step out of the vehicle.  Smith began to ask what was going on.  Agents assisted Smith out of the vehicle and gained control of the suspect due to her being resistant and non-compliant by placing Smith in hand restraints and advising Smith she was under arrest. Smith then admitted to having a blunt of Marijuana in the vehicle as well as a scale. Due to the admission of narcotics being present in the vehicle, and incident to arrest a search of the vehicle was conducted.  Upon the search of Smith by a female Patrol Officer, 18.75 grams of marijuana was located in the groin area of Smith.  Located within a purple backpack was a smoked hand-rolled cigar containing Marijuana weighing 0.33 grams.  Heidi Smith was transported to Evangeline Parish Jail for further booking and processing for the charges of 40:966 Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, 14:108.1C Aggravated Flight from an Officer, and 14:99 Reckless Operation. H. Smith was also given two traffic citations for her traffic-related offenses (Citation Number 89060353 and 89060354).  Because of the vehicle crash in the ditch, Acadian Ambulance was called and Heidi Smith was medically assessed for any injuries upon her arrival at Evangeline Parish Jail in which it was found she was in good health