Convicted felon with active warrants caught with firearm and drugs on traffic stop

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a convicted felon who had active warrants was arrested on a traffic stop on Friday afternoon. Thomas Barker, 42, of Thibodaux was also found to have a firearm and drugs in his vehicle.

At around 1:30 p.m. on March 3, 2023, deputies in the Mathews area saw a man driving a red truck whom they recognized as Thomas Barker. Knowing Barker to have active warrants, deputies conducted a traffic stop on LA Highway 308. Deputies immediately took Thomas into custody without incident. Thomas admitted to possibly having drugs and paraphernalia inside the truck and consented to a search of the vehicle.

During the search, deputies found suspected drugs including several grams of methamphetamine and marijuana and several pills identified as clonazepam, Tramadol, and another drug only available by prescription. They also found a handgun and various drug paraphernalia.

Barker was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was booked on six outstanding warrants for contempt of court. He was also charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana, possession of a schedule IV controlled dangerous substance, possession of a legend drug without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm with an obliterated number, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance. Bail is set at $117,850.