Deputies make arrests in stabbing, phone scam investigations
(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.)
St. Mary deputies reported the arrest of a Jeanerette man wanted in a stabbing and a Georgia man accused of running a scam by impersonating law enforcement to collect a phony bond payment.
St. Mary
Sheriff Gary Driskell reported these arrests:
--Earl Charles, 56, Jeanerette, was arrested at 3:23 p.m. Thursday on a charge of attempted second-degree murder.
On Thursday, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s detectives were notified by the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office of a reported stabbing incident that occurred at a park located in the Jeanerette area. Detectives responded, began an investigation and developed Charles as the suspect.
The male victim sustained lacerations to the head and neck that were not life-threatening and received treatment for his wounds. A warrant for Charles' arrest was obtained.
Later in the afternoon, St. Mary deputies took him into custody. He was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail has not been set at this time.
Driskell and the Investigation Division thanked the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office for their communication and cooperation in this case.
--Donovan Kobie Baptiste, 22, Valdosta, Georgia, was arrested at 3:47 p.m. April 29 on charges of bank fraud, fraudulent portrayal of law enforcement, access device fraud and theft.
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office recently investigated a sophisticated phone scam that resulted in an arrest. The scheme began when a victim received a call from a blocked number.
The caller impersonated “Sergeant Michael Thomas” and used personal details about the victim’s family to establish a false sense of credibility and authority.
The suspect informed the victim that a family member was currently incarcerated and required a $7,000 bond for release. To make the scam more convincing, the caller:
--Used accurate personal information (names, birthdays, and addresses) to pose as a legitimate agency employee.
--Transferred the victim to a secondary suspect posing as a "bail bondsman."
--Directed the victim to send 10% of the bond ($700) via digital payment platforms, including Apple Pay, PayPal and CashApp.
The victims became suspicious of the high-pressure tactics and contacted the Law Enforcement Center directly. Personnel there confirmed that no such calls had been made and that the family member in question did not have a bond set.
As the investigation progressed, Baptiste was developed as a suspect in the case. Deputies applied for a warrant for his arrest and it was granted.
The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia made contact with Baptiste and took him into custody.
He was picked up in Georgia by SMPSO deputies and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Baptiste was subsequently released on a $25,000 bond.
Driskell said that legitimate law enforcement and judicial agencies will never call to solicit bond payments over the phone via CashApp, PayPal or gift cards. The Sheriff’s Office said that if you receive a suspicious call regarding a loved one in custody, you should hang up and call the
St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center using a verified number, which is what the victims did in this case to bring the same to an end.
The Sheriff’s Office thanked the victims and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office for assistance in this case.
--Vertress Lee Loston, 47, Franklin, was arrested at 9:08 a.m. Sunday on charges of violation of protective orders and resisting arrest or officer, and on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of criminal neglect of family. Bail has not been set at this time.
--Donte Jovan Harris, 30, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:09 p.m. Friday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, resisting an officer, and possession of a firearm or carrying concealed by a convicted felon. Bail has not been set at this time.
--Angel David Avila, 23, Siracusa, was arrested at 10:35 p.m. Friday on charges of driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $2,750.
--Dwayne Jamon Provost, 42, Jeanerette, was arrested at 7:36 p.m. Sunday on a charge of resisting arrest or officer and on a warrant alleging criminal neglect of family. Bail was set at $10,879.92.
--William Douglas Oliver Jr., 39, Gibson, was arrested at 10:35 p.m. Sunday on charges of disturbing the peace (intoxicated) and criminal trespass. Bail has not been set at this time.
--Eugene J. Leblanc Jr., 50, Thibodaux, was arrested at 9:19 p.m. Thursday on charges of resisting an officer by giving false information, maximum speed limit, and resisting arrest or officer. Leblanc was released on a $5,250 bond.
--Jesus M. Herrera-Hernandez, 29, McAllen, Texas, was arrested at 1:14 a.m. Friday on charges of driver must be licensed and driving while intoxicated. Bail was set at $2,750.
Morgan City
Chief Chad M. Adams reported these arrests:
--Phillip Lemoine, 38, Shivers Street, Patterson, arrested at 2:10 p.m. Friday on charges of disturbing the peace and simple battery.
--Chris Boudreaux, 59, Catherine Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:30 p.m. Friday on a charge of failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan City Court).
--John Sontheimer, 40, Schriever, was arrested at 10:13 p.m. Saturday on a charge of second-degree battery.
--Jamie Scarbrough, 36, Bush Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:07 a.m. Sunday on two counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).
--Kolbi Chatman, 30, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:15 a.m. Sunday on charges of resisting an officer (false information) and resisting an officer (fleeing).
--Donald Derouen, 35, Robertson Street, Franklin, was arrested at 9:50 a.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. (Released on summons.)
--Jayden Perez, 22, Barrow Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:37 p.m. Sunday on charges of reckless operation of a vehicle and no driver’s license.
--Troy Thomas, 54, Fifth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:48 p.m. Thursday on three counts of theft (under $1,000) and simple burglary.
--Lantrell Ayers, 35, Fifth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:38 p.m. April 29 on charges of possession with intent to distribute THC, possession with intent to distribute synthetic cannabinoids, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of a drug-free zone, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile, improper lane usage and driving under suspension.
--Garett Domingue, 39, Keith Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:02 a.m. Friday on charges of domestic abuse battery (child endangerment), disturbing the peace (intoxicated) and resisting an officer.
--Carl Allen, 34, Wren Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:05 a.m. Friday on charges of violation of a protective order, resisting an officer and disturbing the peace (intoxicated).
--Hunter Boudreaux, 24, Bigler Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:36 a.m. April 29 on two counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).
--Kellie Boudreaux, 43, Willowbend Lane, Patterson, was arrested at 2:17 p.m. April 29 on a charge of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).
--Colby Gros, 38, Pecan Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:41 p.m. April 29, as a fugitive from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.
--Lamarcus Francois, 31, La. 182, Berwick, was arrested at 7:40 p.m. April 29 on a charge of driving under suspension.
--Carl Smith, 39, South Lewis Street, New Iberia, was arrested at 10:04 p.m. April 29 on charges of possession of Suboxone, possession of methamphetamine, open container, obstruction of justice, possession of drug paraphernalia, improper display of plate, no vehicle registration, on
insurance and no headlights.
--Jessie Grady, 50, Two Brothers Lane, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:15 p.m. April 29 on a probation violation and three counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).
Patterson
Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:
--Derrick J. Farblow, 38, St. Charles Street, Thibodaux, was arrested at 10:42 p.m. Friday on a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant alleging nonsupport. Farlow is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $5,000.
--Casey T. Lopez, 45, Kemper Street, Patterson, was arrested at 2:55 p.m. Sunday on a charge of operating a vehicle under the influence and no taillight. Lopez is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.
--Jordan J. Freeman, 25, was arrested at 1:10 a.m. Monday on a charge of possession of marijuana (over 14 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal carrying of weapons in a drug-free zone, carrying of a weapon the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, violation of
a drug-free zone, obstruction of justice and no seat belt.
Freeman is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.
--Jmichael J. Gray, 22, was arrested at 1:10 a.m. Monday on charges of illegal carrying of weapons in a drug-free zone and illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.
Gray was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.
Franklin
Chief Cedric Handy reported these arrests:
--Ronnie Boatman, 47, Carl C. Foulcard Drive, Franklin, while incarcerated at the Franklin Police Department, was arrested at 4:13 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court alleging failure to appear on a charge of nonsupport. Boatman was booked, processed and held on a $9,418.95 bond.
--Jase Darden, 38, Norman Bauer Drive, Franklin, was arrested at 2:30 a.m. Friday on charges of home invasion and resisting an officer. Darden was booked, processed and held on a $25,000 bond.
--Patrick Allen, 65, Main Street, Franklin, was arrested at 7:43 a.m. Friday on a charge of remaining where forbidden. Allen was booked, processed and released on a $500 bond.