Felon Caught During Traffic Stop with Stolen Firearm and a Marijuana Cigarette Behind His Ear

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a convicted felon was arrested during a traffic stop after deputies found him in possession of a stolen firearm. Todd Chenier (age 25) of Thibodaux also had a suspected marijuana cigarette behind his ear.

At 1:40 p.m. on Monday, April 2, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on West 8th Street in Thibodaux. Deputies made contact with the driver who was not wearing his seat belt and identified him as Lynes Jones (age 25) of Thibodaux. While speaking to Jones, deputies noticed the passenger, identified as Todd Chenier, had a suspected marijuana cigarette behind his ear. Chenier then removed the cigarette from his ear and reached into the console area, but deputies quickly removed him from the vehicle.

A K-9 unit from the Thibodaux Police Department arrived on scene and alerted to the possible presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, deputies recovered a loaded handgun under the passenger seat where Chenier had been sitting. No other contraband was located inside the vehicle. Chenier admitted to being in possession of the firearm, but deputies found the weapon had been reported stolen in St. Tammany Parish.

Chenier was arrested and transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux. He was booked with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and Possession of Marijuana. His bond is set at $25,300.

Jones was issued a citation for the seat belt violation.

Todd Chenier
Todd Chenier
Felon Caught During Traffic Stop with Stolen Firearm and a Marijuana Cigarette Behind His Ear