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NEWS RELEASE
December 9, 2022
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet announced the arrest of a Thibodaux man, during a traffic stop by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division. George Joli Ward Sr., 33, of Thibodaux, was arrested for multiple felony related charges associated with the traffic stop investigation.
On December 8, 2022, shortly before 5pm, TPSO Narcotics Agents conducted a traffic stop on Hwy 20 near Chacahoula, in reference to a small sedan travelling at a very high rate of speed. As Agents stopped and approached the vehicle, they quickly determined that the vehicle contained 3 minor children in the back seat, none of which were secured within a safety/seat belt. Agents made contact with the driver, who was identified as George Joli Ward Sr, and noticed a strong smell of a known narcotic coming from within the vehicle.
Investigative circumstances led Agents to complete a search of the vehicle in question, and located multiple forms of various illegal narcotics, along with a stolen firearm within the vehicle. Agents were able to recover close to 19 grams of suspected Powder-Cocaine, over 7 grams of suspected Crack-Cocaine, close to 90 pills of various prescription and non-prescription medications, close to 2 pounds of Marijuana, over $3,000 dollars in cash, multiple items of Drug Paraphernalia, and a firearm determined to be stolen out of the State of Alabama. Agents indicated that the illegal narcotics located were packaged in a manner that is consistent with street level sales.
As the investigation continued, Agents were able to determine that Ward was a Convicted Felon through Lafourche Parish, and he was immediately taken into custody. During the traffic stop, Agents were able to confirm the ages of the three minor children as 11, 8, and 5. The identities of the minor children were also established, and they were released to the care of a family member at the scene. The identities of the children are not being released.
George Joli Ward Sr. was arrested on charges of Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Child Passenger Restraint Systems (3 counts), Illegal Carrying of a Weapon in the presence of a CDS, Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Illegal use of a Controlled Drug in the presence of persons under the age of 17, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession with the Intent to Distribute a CDS II (4 counts), Possession with the Intent to Distribute a CDS IV, Possession with the Intent to Distribute a CDS I (2 Counts), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Transactions Involving Proceeds from Drug Offenses.
Ward was later transported to the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex where he was booked on the offenses and remains jailed on a $500,000 total bon by local judges.
Sheriff Tim Soignet would like to praise the outstanding efforts of the TPSO Narcotics Division, for their proactive response and thorough investigation. Sheriff Tim Soignet said, “This is a great example of what can be uncovered from a seemingly ordinary traffic related stop. Our Agents were extremely observant and reacted in a swift and safe manner to stop a potentially dangerous situation from getting out of hand. The fact that offenders continue to put the youth of our community in not only dangerous, but illegal situations does not sit well with me, or our agency. We will continue to do what is necessary to bring these offenders to justice.”
ALL ARRESTED PERSON ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.