Traffic Stop Weapons Found

Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. According to local law enforcement, three individuals have been arrested on a variety of charges following a recent traffic stop. On Thursday, June 15, 2023, deputies of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office SCAT team stopped a vehicle on Orange Street that was occupied by three individuals. The three individuals were identified as Oterrance Matthews, Stephyium Burks, and Tavarius Cooks. During the traffic stop Oterrance Matthews tried to escape on foot but he was quickly captured. Deputies found several weapons while the group was in custody. According to the deputy's report, the weapons recovered were a Glock handgun, an AR-style rifle, and an AK-47 rifle from the vehicle they were riding in; the three were all arrested and charged on different counts. Cooks was arrested on charges of Illegal Carrying of a Firearm in the presence of narcotics, Possession of a Firearm by a convicted felon, and Interfering with an arrest. Matthews was at first arrested on the charges of Interfering, Resisting Arrest, Illegal Carrying of Weapons in the presence of narcotics, and Possession of CDS 1, but while going through the booking process, Matthews was found to have had several outstanding felony warrants for Attempted Second-degree Murder. There were also warrants on Matthews for Cyberstalking, Aggravated Flight from an Officer, and Domestic Battery by strangulation for which he was also charged. Tavarius Burks was arrested on the charge of Interfering with an arrest.