St. Tammany Traffic Stop in School Zone Yields Drugs & Gun

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office reports that at approximately 7 a.m. Thursday (August 24, 2023), narcotics detectives with the STPSO Proactive Enforcement Unit were conducting proactive patrols in several school zones around the parish, including the one adjacent to Salmen High School. Detectives observed a vehicle traveling 40 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour school zone and that the driver failed to utilize a turn signal. 

A traffic stop ensued and detectives came in contact with the front seat passenger, 23 year-old Farrell Ziegler. 

Probable cause to search the vehicle was established, and the search led to the discovery of a Glock 40 caliber handgun, three magazines (including a 50 round drum style magazine), 10 tapentadol tablets, approximately 4.3 grams of a methamphetamine powder and marijuana.

Ziegler was arrested and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center for the following offenses: Possession of a firearm in the presence of a CDS, Possession of a Schedule II CDS, Posession of a Schedule II CDS, and Possession of a Schedule I CDS.

The driver was issued citations for the traffic offenses and released.

“As we start the school year, we will have extra deputies in all of our school zones,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “Please, for the safety of our children, slow down and put down your phones.”