2015 pot case ends in 3 plea deals; SJSO says it seized more than $16K worth of marijuana

Published 12:21 am Wednesday, April 24, 2019

EDGARD — Three local men received probation and first-time criminal record statuses following recent plea bargains that dated back to a 2015 drug seizure in LaPlace that netted authorities more than $16,000 worth of marijuana.

According to the St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court’s Office, David Flournoy pleaded guilty March 25 to possession with intent to distribute marijuana, receiving a five-year suspended sentence and three years active probation.

David Flournoy, 29, was ordered to pay $465 in fines and a monthly probation fee.

St. John District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut said David Flournoy took responsibility for the drugs relating to the April 27, 2015, seizure at a house in the 300 block of Magnolia Avenue in LaPlace.

According to Dinvaut, Jarrell Stafford, 23, also pleaded guilty in relation to the case for possession with intent to distribute marijuana, receiving a similar sentence.

Nicholas Flournoy, 26, who is David’s brother, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana and was given a six-month suspended sentence and six months probation.

Dinvaut said there is one suspect, 29-year-old David Cable Jr. — initially implicated by Stafford as having participated — with an active case. Dinvaut said prosecutors have another charge separate from this case and are looking to clear up both items with Cable at the same time.

St. John Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives initiated their 2015 investigation after the U.S. Postal Service notified police that a package believed to contain marijuana was being shipped to the Magnolia Avenue home.

When detectives executed a search warrant, they detained Stafford outside the home and recovered approximately one pound of marijuana — worth $3,000 — in the front waistband of his pants, as well as approximately four and half pounds of marijuana, worth $13,500, from the home.

In addition to the marijuana, detectives recovered a shotgun from the bedroom of Nicholas Flournoy and a handgun from the bedroom of David Flournoy.

Prosecutors said the father of Nicholas and David claimed ownership of the weapons.

Police said Cable fled the residence during the raid and turned himself into authorities a few days later.