Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft announces the arrest of William Anthony Bass, age 50 of Leesville, this past Friday, January 31, 2025.  Agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force were conducting Criminal Patrol in the area of Graham Road at approximately 11 a.m.  Agents attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding.  The driver refused to comply and fled the agents.

A pursuit ensued and traveled from Graham Road to Highway 10 to the Bundicks area before the driver stopped at the dead end of Audry Lane. The driver immediately exited the vehicle and began to yell challenges at the agents. Agents deployed a taser, and at that time the driver, later identified as William Bass, fled on foot from the agents. After a pursuit on foot, agents were able to apprehend Bass.  While he was being taken into custody, Bass bit one of the agents. During a pat down and prior to his arrest, agents located a firearm and what appeared to be two homemade explosive devices on his person.

Agents immediately contacted the ATF (Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms Agents), EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal Personnel), Ft. Johnson CID (Criminal Investigative Division Investigators), LSP (Louisiana State Police Investigators), and the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents).

While at the location on Audry Lane, agents also discovered additional incendiary devices in Bass’s vehicle.

A search warrant was executed for Bass’s residence on Hazel Jeane Road.  During the execution of the warrant, agents discovered numerous items used to make homemade bombs. All of those incendiary components and additional explosive devices were collected by the appropriate agencies.

William Bass was arrested and charged with one count of Speeding, one count of Flight from an Officer, two counts of Resisting an Officer, one count of Battery of a Police Officer, one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and one count of Manufacturing and Possession of a Bomb.  Bond has not been set, and Bass remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Sheriff Craft would like to commend the agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force for their diligence in this investigation.  Sheriff Craft would also like to thank all of the agencies who responded to the location and assisted in the collection and disposal of the explosives.