Seatbelt stop turns into chase, then wet arrest after suspect jumped into Bayou Lafourche

HPD still looking for shooter in post-Juice Fest incident, though more than a dozen have been arrested
August 13, 2019
Convicted felon charged after breaking into LDWF agent’s vehicle
August 13, 2019
HPD still looking for shooter in post-Juice Fest incident, though more than a dozen have been arrested
August 13, 2019
Convicted felon charged after breaking into LDWF agent’s vehicle
August 13, 2019

A seatbelt stop led Louisiana State Troopers to a sizable drug arrest.

But to get the drug arrest, there was first a high-speed chase, then a call to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to help retrieve the suspect from Bayou Lafourche.

Yesterday morning at around 9 a.m., a State Trooper observed a driver not wearing his seat belt while traveling on La. Highway 24 south at La. Highway 660.


The Trooper conducted the traffic stop and identified the driver as Byron Nevis, 32, of Houma.

The suspect was driving a 2013 Chevy Silverado.

Authorities said Nevis exited his vehicle during the stop, then returned in it and fled the scene, leading Troopers on a pursuit on La. Highway 24 toward Thibodaux.


During the pursuit, Nevis allegedly struck another vehicle, causing minor damage and no injuries.

The suspect traveled to La. Highway 3185, then to La. Highway 308 where he abandoned his vehicle and jumped into Bayou Lafourche.

From there, LDWF agents responded on watercraft and took him into custody without incident.


During investigation, Troopers found Nevis to be in possession of two firearms, 361 grams of Ecstacy, 165 grams of heroin, 3.42 pounds of marijuana, 3 grams of cocaine, 8 packages of edible THC, 2 containers of THC lip balm, and $39,177.00 in cash.

Nevis was booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center for LRS 14:108.1 Flight from an Officer, LRS 14:99 Reckless Operation Of A Vehicle, LRS 14:100 Hit And Run Driving (Terrebonne Parish), LRS 40:966A Manufacture / Distribution Of Schedule I Drugs (3 Counts), LRS 32:295.1 No Seat Belt, LRS 14:95.1 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By A Person Convicted Of Certain Felonies, LRS 40:967A Manufacture / Distribution Of Schedule II Drugs, 40:1023 Use Of And Sale Of Drug Paraphernalia, 14:95E Possession of a firearm in the presence of CDS, and 40:1041B Transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses.