Morgan City police, St. Mary deputies make synthetic cannabinoid, heroin arrests

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

Morgan City police reported another in a string of recent arrests involving synthetic cannabinoids, this one alleging possession in the presence of a 2-year-old.

St. Mary deputies also arrested a man accused of possessing heroin and methamphetamine in distribution quantities.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported these arrests:

--Deonte Devon Harris, 29, Saint Gabriel Street, Patterson, was arrested May 20 on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute synthetic cannabinoids, transactions involving proceeds from drug activity, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor and driving on the right side of the road.

On May 20, investigators with the Morgan City Police Department Narcotics Division conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling on La. 182. During the course of the stop, the driver was identified as Harris. Investigators also identified two adult passengers and a 2-year-old toddler who were inside the vehicle at the time of the stop. During the investigation, investigators located a large quantity of suspected marijuana, THC vape cartridges, synthetic cannabinoids and a large amount of U.S. currency believed to be proceeds derived from illegal narcotics sales.

The suspected marijuana weighed approximately 738 grams, or a little more than 1-1/2 pounds. Investigators also recovered approximately 5 fluid ounces of suspected liquid synthetic cannabinoids and 10 THC vape cartridges.

Harris was arrested and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking.

Adams has warned in previous Facebook posts about an upswing in the number of cases involving synthetic cannabinoids and the risks posed by their use.

--Curtis Richard, 49, River Road, Berwick, was arrested at 11:45 a.m. Thursday on two counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Robert Gould, 27, Frances Drive, Berwick, was arrested at 4:55 p.m. Thursday on a charge of failure to appear proper equipment required (6th Ward Morgan City Court). (Released on summons.)

--Shannon Deal Jr., 26, Reserve Street, New Iberia, was arrested at 12:45 a.m. Friday on three counts of simple battery.

--Kaleb Meadows, 27, Trevino Street, Berwick, was arrested at 7:40 p.m. Friday on a charge of domestic abuse battery.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported these arrests:

--Elton Pinn, 42, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:43 a.m. Thursday on charges of possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a legend drug without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia and transactions involving drug proceeds, and on a Franklin County bench warrant on a charge of speeding.

Bail was set at $412,500.

--Samantha Renee Jones, 42, Gonzales, was arrested at 7:10 p.m. Friday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of speeding, failure to use seatbelts, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license and failure to honor a written promised to appear.

--Apollonia Marie Louis, 41, New Iberia, was arrested at 7:13 pm Friday on two warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of speeding, driving under suspension, operating an unregistered vehicle or a vehicle without proper plates, and failure to secure vehicle registration.

Bail was set at $500.

--Jessica Alice Morris, 26, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 7:46 p.m. Thursday on a Berwick Police Department warrant alleging warrant entry or remaining where forbidden. Morris is being held for another agency.

--Robert Felix Stevens, 55, Monroe, was arrested on May 21, 2026, at 2:49 pm for failure to register as a sex offender. Bail was set at $100,000.

--Kevin Lashawn James Sr., 40, Franklin, was arrested at 7:50 a.m. May 20 on charges of criminal trespass, disturbing the peace (intoxicated), obstruction of justice (tampering) and introduction of contraband into a penal institution.

Bail has not been set at this time.

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported this arrest:

--Andrew A. Luke, 21, La. 662, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 8:57 p.m. May 20 on charges of no driver’s license, two counts of resisting an officer by flight and criminal trespass.

Luke was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $1,487.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported these arrests:

--Breyonna Verret, 24, Chitimacha Trail, Charenton, was arrested at 1:56 p.m. May 20 on a warrant dated March 13 alleging theft. Verret was booked, processed and released on a $1,500 bond.

--Joyce Jones, 74, Kerry Street, Baldwin, LA, was arrested at 2:44 p.m. May20 on a charge of criminal trespassing. Jones was booked, processed and released on a $500 bond.

--Shane King, 49, Tyler Lane, Franklin, was arrested at 3:18 p.m. May 20 on charges of speeding, reckless operation and possession of alcoholic beverage in motor vehicle. King was booked, processed and released on a $1,072 bond.