SHERIFF'S OFFICE K9 "DIEGO" USED IN TRAFFIC STOP THAT LEADS TO ANOTHER DRUG ARREST

Sheriff Charles R. Guillory, of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office releases the following:

During the last few months Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office has received numerous narcotics complaints about specific addresses in the parish.

Point Blue area- -On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Deputy conducted a brief surveillance in reference to continuous suspected selling of drugs at one of the reported addresses. Upon completion of the surveillance the Deputy was able to author a traffic stop on one of the vehicles leaving the residence with an expired license plate. Prior to the traffic stop the driver tried to elude the Deputy by turning in at an unidentified address on Prudhomme Lane and blacking out their vehicle by turning off all external and internal lights. The traffic stop was slightly delayed until the driver decided to leave the residence after which the traffic stop was conducted. The driver was identified as Dana Balfer, driving a white 2012 Jeep. Balfer complied to all the Deputy's request and provided all valid documentation for the vehicle. 

During the stop the Deputy learned the driver had an Outstanding Warrant for Failure to Appear in court for a previous charge. While Balfer was detained on the Outstanding Warrant, EPSO Narcotics K-9 dog "Diego" conducted two rounds of open-air sniffs around the vehicle for the presence of any narcotics and returned positive alerts each time. The following items were confiscated upon completion of the vehicle search: grinders, digital scale, smoking pipes, along with a clear plastic bag of a crystal-like rock substance Methamphetamine, and a green leafy vegetable like substance of Marijuana. All evidence was sealed and seized then placed into Evidence.  

The vehicle was transported to Sooner's Towing to be kept in storage until released. Balfer was arrested, transported, and booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail on the charges of Expired License Plate, Possession of Schedule I CDS (Marijuana), Possession of Schedule II CDS (Meth), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (various items). A bond was set by 13th District Judicial Judge Chuck West in the amount of $17,000.00.  Balfer has since made bail.

As always, Sheriff Charles R Guillory and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office is always seeking information on Criminal Activity and urges the Public to contact their Investigation Department via phone at 337-363-2161 or through the agency's website at www.evangelineparishsheriff.org. Any person/s reporting information will remain anonymous.   

ARRESTED 

Dana Balfer

DOB 11/25/1974