TRAFFIC STOP – GUN, DRUG LAW VIOLATIONS – I.C.E. ARRESTS

TRAFFIC STOP – GUN, DRUG LAW VIOLATIONS – I.C.E. ARRESTS – RASHONDA R. MITCHELL, RANCE MITCHELL, IV, TAIWAN LAVONTA CAINES

PAINCOURTVILLE – Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reports the arrests of Rashonda R. Mitchell, 26, of 118 Oak Ridge Avenue, Apartment 4, Donaldsonville, LA and Rance Mitchell, IV, 25, of 118 Oak Ridge Avenue, Apartment 4, Donaldsonville, LA and Taiwan Lavonta Caines, 27, of 4702 Lavey Lane, Baker, LA, on felony charges arising from a Tuesday evening traffic stop on LA 70 East.

A uniformed patrol deputy, assigned to the I.C.E. Unit, observed an eastbound vehicle commit a traffic violation and initiated a stop of the vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver, now identified as Rashonda R. Mitchell and conducted an officer / violator interview. The deputy made contact with the two passengers, namely Rance Mitchell IV and Taiwan Lavonta Caines.

The deputy noted a strong odor of suspected marijuana emitting from the vehicle.

At the conclusion of those interviews, the deputy summoned a K-9 unit to the scene for additional investigation. The K-9 conducted an open-air sniff of the suspect vehicle and alerted positive for the presence of controlled dangerous substances.

During the investigation, deputies learned that Taiwan Lavonta Caines was a prior convicted felon.

A subsequent search of the suspect vehicle yielded two firearms. Deputies also recovered a quantity of suspected marijuana which was attributed to Rashonda R. Mitchell and Rance Mitchell IV. These two suspects also attempted to conceal or destroy evidence.

During the arrest / booking process, Rashonda R. Mitchell allegedly pushed one of the arresting officers.

Rashonda R. Mitchell, Rance Mitchell, IV and Taiwan Lavonta Caines were all arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on charges as follows:

– Rashonda R. Mitchell –
*Battery of a Police Officer
*Possession of Marijuana – First Offense
*Obstruction of Justice
*Speeding, 71/55 MPH
*Use of Multiple Beam Road Lighting Equipment

Rashonda R. Mitchell remains incarcerated with bond set at $10,000.

– Rance Mitchell, IV –
*Obstruction of Justice
*Possession of Marijuana

Rance Mitchell, IV remains incarcerated with bond set at $5,000.

– Taiwan Lavonta Caines –
*Illegal Carrying of Weapons
*Possession of a Firearm or Carrying a Concealed Weapon by a Person Convicted of
Domestic Abuse Battery

Taiwan Lavonta Caines remains incarcerated and is being held without bond.

For additional information concerning this News Release, contact Sheriff Leland Falcon or Public Information Officer, Lonny Cavalier at (985) 498-9353 or (985) 369-7281.