Routine patrol work leads to recovery of illegal weapons in under 12 hours

PORT ALLEN — West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office deputies recovered two stolen firearms and made two arrests during separate traffic stops Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, highlighting the department's ongoing efforts to remove illegal weapons from local streets.

First Recovery

During the nightshift of Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Uniform Patrol Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a Nissan Altima for traffic infractions. A passenger in the vehicle, identified as 19-year-old Michael Hatley of Port Allen, was found in possession of a firearm that had been reported stolen.

Hatley was arrested and booked into the West Baton Rouge Parish Detention Center on the charge of Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearm.

Second Recovery

Later that same night, extending into the early morning hours of September 10, 2025, deputies stopped a Kia Optima for traffic infractions. The driver, identified as 21-year-old Jalan Washington of Port Allen, was also found to be in possession of a stolen firearm.

Washington was arrested and booked into the West Baton Rouge Parish Detention Center on the charge of Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearm.

Current Status

At the time of this release, Washington has since bonded out of custody, while Hatley remains detained at the West Baton Rouge Parish Detention Center.

Sheriff's Statement

"The recovery of stolen firearms is more than making an arrest, it's about preventing future crimes," said Sheriff Jeff Bergeron. "My deputies will continue working tirelessly to remove illegal guns from our streets and keep our community safe."

Impact on Community Safety

The two recoveries within a 12-hour period demonstrate the effectiveness of routine patrol work in identifying and removing illegal weapons from circulation. Both arrests stem from standard traffic enforcement, showing how comprehensive policing can address multiple public safety concerns simultaneously.

The West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office continues its commitment to proactive law enforcement aimed at preventing crimes before they occur through the removal of illegal firearms from the community.

This story was developed from official West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office press release information.

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