~NARCOTIC PRESS RELEASE~ MURPHY & FREEMAN

On June 17,2024 Narcotic Agents with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office, while conducting criminal patrol, observed a vehicle traveling East on Main Street in a vehicle bearing Louisiana License Plate 815DVH, the registration sticker on the license plate was expired as of August of 2022 and dispatch advised vehicle insurance was unconfirmed. Upon agents making contact with the driver who was identified as Michael Murphy , front passenger identified as Lindsey Murphy and a rear passenger identified as a juvenile, Randricus Freeman, agents could smell the overwhelming odor of Marijuana emitting from the vehicle.  Michael Murphy was advised of the purpose for the traffic stop and instructed to provide his license, vehicle registration and insurance form and all subjects were advised to exit the vehicle.  Murphy advised he had no insurance and that his license was suspended. Randricus Freeman stated he had smoked Marijuana prior to getting in the vehicle.

 Through field interview by agents, Michael. Murphy held a Louisiana License with a status of Suspended, Lindsey Murphy 38 of Ville Platte had an Active Warrant, Randricus Freeman had an Active Warrant for Juvenile Probation on the charges of Arson and Conspiracy and or attempt to commit Arson.

At this time a City Police Patrolman arrived on scene to assist and Randricus Freeman was placed under arrest, advised of the Miranda Rights and placed in the City Patrolman's Unit.

Agents conducted a pat search of Michael Murphy for weapons and located a pocket knife.  Murphy was asked if the contents of his pockets could be removed in which he stated yes. Located within his front right pocket was a small tin can that contained 2.5 white pills with imprint M367 identified as Hydrocodone 325mg/ 10mg. Murphy stated his prescription bottle and script was at home and that he only brought them in the container due to him having to go to work and did not want to bring his full prescription bottle. Murphy also advised he held a picture of his prescription on his phone in which he was allowed to retrieve.

Lindsey Murphy was placed under arrest, advised of her Miranda Rights and was advised of the Active Warrant.   Upon the arrival of another deputy, Freeman and Murphy were placed in a unit and transported to the Evangeline Parish Jail.

At this time, a search of the vehicle was conducted. Located under the passenger seat was a High point 9mm Serial Number P10076184 with one round in the chamber and a magazine within the firearm containing 8 rounds.  Freeman was questioned to the owner of the firearm and he stated he found the pistol on the roadway and kept it, and also stated it was possibly stolen. Located under the driver seat was a small hand rolled cigarette containing Marijuana weighing 0.3 grams.  Lindsay Murphy and Radricus Freeman were transported to Evangeline Parish jail for booking and processing on the Active Warrants. Michael Murphy was able to produce a prescription and bottle for the Hydrocodone and released on traffic citation for the related offenses and given a criminal summons for the Marijuana.