Vermilion Task Force agent puts his life on the line everyday

How’d you like to have a job where someone tries to run you over with his car or tells you to your face he will have you killed by someone on the streets because you arrested him?
Welcome to the life of a Municipal Task Force Agent in Vermilion Parish.
The job of the Task Force agent is to try and get drugs off the streets of Vermilion Parish.
Getting rid of drugs also means having to go undercover in order to purchase drugs or work the beat where drugs are sold.
Sheriff Mike Couvillon states the narcotics agents’ position is, and has always been, a very dangerous job, just as with every law enforcement position.
“But in this field, we are dealing with those who are many times under the influence of substances that may prohibit them from making a sound decision,” said the sheriff. “In other cases it is just a matter of the suspect not wanting to go to jail again, and would do anything to stay out. But if you ask me the most common factor on the streets today with known drug offenders is the lack of respect for not only law enforcement, but for all law-abiding citizens that make the job so dangerous.”
Earlier this week three task force agents had their life threatened during one arrest.
After being chased down and caught by the Task Force, Jacoby Lee allegedly threatened to have an agent killed as the two walked back to the vehicle. He also tried to run over two agents in his vehicle.
The arrest and threats occurred on Monday. Agents were working streets sales disruption within the parish, when they came across Jacoby Lee (Date of birth 11/30/87) of Abbeville. Agents had active warrants on Lee for possession of marijuana, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Agents approached the vehicle Lee was driving; advising him several times that he was under arrest.
At that point, Lee placed the vehicle in drive and floored the vehicle in an attempt to run over two of the task force agents.
Agents were able to jump out of the way, while Lee sped off. Agents located the vehicle Lee was driving a few blocks away, but Lee was nowhere to be found.
As some agents secured the vehicle, suspect crack cocaine and a small amount of marijuana was found. While seizing this evidence at the scene, the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 division spotted Lee hiding from agents.
At this time a foot chase ensued. Lee stopped running at one point and turned, while taking a combative stance in an attempt to have a violent altercation with officers.
Agents were able to subdue Lee, and while walking Lee back to his unit, Lee advised one of the agents he would see to it that he was killed on the streets.
Lee was arrested on the mentioned warrants, and was also charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder, threatening a public official, resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
The Sheriff wants everyone to know possession of marijuana is still in a crime in Louisiana.
“With Lee being charged with possession of marijuana, and the headlines in the media lately, some may think, ‘Why are these guys still charging people with this crime?’” Couvillon said. “As I have always said when I hear the comment, ‘it is just marijuana,’ it infuriates me because number one, it is against the law, number two, it alters your mind. Number three - it is the gateway drug for the rest of the harder drugs.
“I make this statement because in my career as a narcotics agent, and / or running narcotics operations, we did personal interviews with these suspects who were dealing or using the harder drugs. The question of what the first illegal narcotic they used is always asked. And the answer most commonly given, in great majority, is marijuana.”
Couvillon would like to thank Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza and the city council, along with Chief Tony Hardy for their effort in assisting with Task Force personnel. “I realize times are financially tough all over, but the Mayor and Chief of this city are committed to finding the funds to help the Task Force combat the illicit drugs problem that ruins our communities. The people of Vermilion and our children are the beneficieries of these city leaders’ great efforts. It is my hope that in the near future other towns and cities in the parish of Vermilion will be able to assist in the continuing fight against illicit drugs.”
Finally, Sheriff Couvillon would like to applaud the concerned citizens of Vermilion Parish for their awareness and assistance in helping the Sheriff’s Office in fighting the war on illegal drugs. He encourages all citizens with information in regards to illegal drug activities to contact the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office or the Vermilion Parish Municipal Narcotics Task Force at 337-740-4501 or E-mail the Task Force anonymously at taskforce@vpso.net and your e-mail will be held in the “strictest of confidence” and replied to in a very timely manner.
More information on reporting drug activities can be seen on our Web Site at www.vpso.net. Click on Task Force for this information.