Monticello Live

On October 9, 2025, a Drew County jury convicted Johnathon Paul Smith of Rayne, Louisiana, on multiple felony charges stemming from a traffic stop that occurred on September 15, 2024. Smith was found guilty of Possession of Over 10 Grams of Methamphetamine with the Purpose to Deliver, Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, and Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons.

The case began when Officer Evan Ferguson of the Monticello Police Department stopped a Chevy truck for speeding on Highway 425 South. The vehicle was clocked at 73 mph in a 50 mph zone. Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Ferguson detected a strong odor of marijuana and initiated a search. The driver, identified as Smith, and his passenger, Cassie Carvalho, were asked to exit the vehicle.

During the search, officers discovered a set of multicolored digital scales, a derringer handgun, and a purse containing a bag of crystal substance later identified as methamphetamine that weighed 99 grams. Additionally, a 9mm handgun was found in a Family Dollar bag on the passenger floor, and a glass pipe was located in the overhead sunglass holder. A small amount of methamphetamine was also found in a clear bag in the passenger door.