Local man arrested on drug charges

GONZALES — A local man was taken to jail last week after police executed a search warrant that led to the discovery of illegal drugs and a firearm, officials say.

On Feb. 27, Gonzales Police and the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at the 200 block of Stahl St., Gonzales Police Chief Tim Crow reported. The investigation led to probable cause where a search warrant was obtained that led to the arrest of Louis Banda, 30, of Gonzales.

During the search police seized several items, including several ounces of cocaine, crack cocaine, cash, guns, a vehicle and an RV.

Banda was booked into Gonzales County Jail on two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (first degree felonies) and one count of felon in possession of a firearm (a third degree felony). Banda’s bond was set at $52,500, and he bonded out the following day.

On Feb. 28, Officer Gabriel Trevino was dispatched to the 2400 block of Church St.  in reference to a disturbance. Upon arrival, Trevino spoke with the caller, who informed him her husband was threatening to “do something with the gas can.”

When officers spoke with the man, he falsely identified himself as “Louis Parra.” Officers later identified him as Andres Ramirez-Licea, 41, of Gonzales. During the conversation officers noticed the smell of alcohol on Licea’s breath, and that his speech was slurred. Licea was taken to Gonzales County Jail, where he requested medical attention for diabetes.

After being cleared at Gonzales Memorial Hospital, Licea was once again taken to jail, where officers discovered him to be in possession of a fictitious driver’s license. Licea was charged with public intoxication, failure to identify and tampering with a government record.

On Feb. 24, Officer Tyler Wendland saw an SUV make a right turn without signaling and pulled the vehicle over.

The driver, identified as Latasha Marie James, 38, of Gonzales, was revealed to have an arrest warrant out of Caldwell County. When Trevino arrived on the scene, Wendland informed James of the warrant, and James suddenly became argumentative. James then refused to be detained and started to walk around the vehicle.

When officers tried to place James in handcuffs she resisted, putting up a physical struggle that led to the officers having to drive stun her. They were then able to take James into custody.

Upon arrival at the police department, James requested medical attention, but when EMS arrived to evaluate her, she refused. James was then taken to Gonzales County Jail and charged with resisting arrest.