Sheriff’s Deputy Caught Illegally Transporting Lots Of Pot

An off-duty Cameron Parish Sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday night as Louisiana State Troopers found approximately 18 pounds of marijuana in his pickup truck.

According to Troop D spokesperson  Sgt. James Anderson, 28-year-old Derek Nothnagel of Lake Charles was pulled over for traffic violations while traveling on I-10 Eastbound in Sulphur. Nothnagel refused to let troopers search his 2004 Toyota Tundra, but a K-9 unit was brought in and alerted troopers to a large duffle bag containing marijuana.

Nothnagel was booked into the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center on the following charges:

• possession with intent to distribute marijuana
• use and sale of drug paraphernalia
• improper lane usage
• following too close
• expired motor vehicle inspection decal

Troopers said a passenger in the vehicle, 24-year-old Taylor Nothnagel of Lake Charles, was questioned and released.  The investigation is continuing and additional charges are possible.