TRAFFIC INCIDENT, PURSUIT, FUGITIVE ARREST -I.C.E. ARREST

TRAFFIC INCIDENT, PURSUIT, FUGITIVE ARREST -I.C.E. ARREST
GERALD J. EALEM, JR.

PAINCOURTVILLE – Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reports the arrest of Gerald J. Ealem, Jr., 42, of 8138 Jones Drive, St. James, La., on felony charges arising from a traffic stop on LA. 70 East of Paincourtville.

A uniformed patrol deputy assigned to the I.C.E. detail observed a vehicle with an equipment violation and conducted a stop of that vehicle.

The deputy made contact with the driver now identified as Gerald J. Ealem, Jr. The deputy noted the vehicle to have illegal window tint, an expired motor vehicle inspection tag and the deputy determined that Ealem’s license was suspended. Gerald J Ealem, Jr. was determined to be wanted by the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office on multiple fugitive warrants. The deputy ordered Ealem to exit the vehicle on multiple occasions. Gerald J. Ealem, Jr., refused to exit the vehicle and at some point, drove off, engaging the deputy in a pursuit situation.

The suspect vehicle continued into St. James Parish where the deputy was able to successfully terminate the pursuit and arrest Gerald J. Ealem, Jr.

Deputies observed suspected marijuana in plain view inside the vehicle. Deputies seized marijuana, oxycodone, and MDMA (Ecstasy)

Gerald J. Ealem, Jr. was transported to the Assumption Parish Detention Center where he was booked on charges of:

*Aggravated Flight from an Officer
*Possession of MDMA
*Possession of Oxycodone
*Illegal Window Tint
*Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection Tag
*Driving under a Suspended Driver’s License
*Fugitive – St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office on charges of:
*Simple Battery of the Infirmed
*Simple Assault

Gerald J. Ealem, Jr. remains incarcerated pending a bond hearing.

For additional information concerning this News Release, contact Sheriff Leland Falcon or Public Information Officer, Lonny Cavalier at (985) 498-9353 or (985) 369-2912.