One Night of Policing in Slidell - 7 Arrests, Guns, Cash, Drugs

Reported by the S. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office

While many in St. Tammany were celebrating Kings Day on Tuesday (January 6, 2025) with their first slice of king cake for the 2026 Carnival season, detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and Proactive Enforcement Unit conducted a focused operation in Slidell targeted the proactive removal of illegal drugs and firearms from the community. The effort resulted in seven arrests and the confiscation of three illegal firearms, cocaine, marijuana and
more than a quarter pound of methamphetamine.

Detectives identified a room at a local motel occupied by two Slidell residents known to be involved in illegal narcotics, 35-year-old William Inman and 47-year-old Sorrell Jackson. Jackson, suspected of distributing dangerous drugs in and around Slidell, was apprehended as he attempted to leave the room. He was found in possession of marijuana and more than $1,500 in cash. Jackson was also wanted by the Slidell Police Department. Immediately following Jackson’s arrest, detectives located Inman, who attempted to destroy drug evidence by swallowing it. After a brief struggle, Inman was arrested and admitted to a local hospital.

A search of the motel room led to the location and seizure of additional contraband, including drug paraphernalia, two unlawfully possessed semi-automatic handguns, and a quarter pound of methamphetamine. One of the firearms had been reported stolen in Nashville, Tennessee.

Jackson, who has a history of felony convictions and was on parole at the time of this arrest, was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center for Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Felonies, Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Resisting an Officer. Following his release from the hospital, Inman faces multiple criminal charges and will also be booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center.

The operation continued into the evening with traffic stops that led to additional arrests and seizures:

• Troy Malter, 57, of Slidell, was booked for failure to honor a written promise to appear and issued citations for Possession of Marijuana and Driving Under Suspension.
• Delores Palmer, 52, was found in possession of crack cocaine and booked accordingly.
• Jerell Payton, 33, of Mississippi, was booked for Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Felonies after a semi-automatic handgun was found in his vehicle. Payton, on parole for prior felony convictions, was also issued a traffic citation.
• John Hargis, 32, of Beaumont, Texas, was booked for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Pedestrians on Highways after being found with methamphetamine, marijuana, and pipes. Hargis received a summons for marijuana possession.
• Kevin Winbush, 30, of Slidell, was booked for Improper Lane Use, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Cocaine after being found with cocaine and a scale. He was also identified as a fugitive from the New Orleans Police Department for simple battery and property damage.

***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***

“This operation is a great example of our Narcotics and Proactive Enforcement Unit detectives working ahead of the curve to remove dangerous guns and narcotics from our streets,” said Sheriff Randy Smith. “Their tireless, proactive efforts protect our community and prevent violent crimes before they occur. St. Tammany Parish residents can feel safer knowing our detectives are actively keeping our neighborhoods secure.”