MCSO makes arrest of man wanted in Louisiana

The Milam County Sheriff’s Office made a big arrest early Monday morning.

They arrested a subject wanted out of Louisiana on a long list of felony charges a little after midnight on Sunday night. 

Sheriff Chris White said that Deputy Josh Perez stopped the suspect for a minor traffic violation at FM 2095 and U.S. Highway 77. While speaking to the driver Perez noticed a distinct odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and a subsequent search located just under four ounces of marijuana and a stolen firearm. 

The subject had initially provided a false name and date of birth at the start of the traffic stop; however, he was later correctly identified as Rapheal J. Roche, 28, born in Louisiana but currently residing in Temple.

White said that Roche’s charges out of Louisiana appear to stem from an incident on Sept. 30, 2020, when he fled Jennings City Police Officers. During that incident it was reported that he fled in a vehicle and used a stolen firearm to shoot at officers pursuing him. Additionally, it also appeared from the Louisiana incident that drugs were located in Roche’s vehicle.

Jennings Police charged Roche with Attempted First-Degree Murder, Obstruction of Justice, Carrying a Firearm by a Felon, Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Prohibited Acts: Schedule II CDS and five other misdemeanor charges. A final charge of Jumping Bail was added when he did not return after posting bonds, which appeared to total $37,000.

Roche was booked into the Milam County Jail on local charges of Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of Marijuana >2oz<4oz and Unlawfully Carrying a Firearm – as well as the multiple outstanding charges from Louisiana. 

White said he was expected to be seen by a judge Monday to be arraigned for all charges.