Franklin resident arrested on child porn charge

(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.)

A Franklin resident has been arrested and accused of sharing child sexual abuse material online, the St. Mary Sheriff’s Office said.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported these arrests:

--Benjamin Joseph Bertrand, 18, Franklin, was arrested at 12:24 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging distribution of child sexual abuse material.

On June 5, a detective with the St. Mary Parish Criminal Investigations Division received a cybercrime tip indicating that an individual was sharing child sexual abuse material online.

Detectives initiated an investigation into the incident and were able to identify the IP address and physical location of the suspect. Subsequently, a search warrant was obtained for the address.

On Thursday, the search warrant was executed at a residence on Circle Drive in Franklin. During the search, contact was made with Bertrand. As the investigation progressed, evidence established that Bertrand was the individual responsible for sharing the material.

A warrant was obtained for Bertrand’s arrest. He was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail was set at $75,000.

The investigation continues.

--Rachelle Deanna Madison, 56, Franklin, was arrested at 10:03 a.m. Thursday on a charge of speeding. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Maria Lizbeth Maldonado-Moreno, 36, New Iberia, was arrested at 5:36 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of stolen things, driver must be licensed, open container and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bail has not been set at this time.

--Joyce Ann Jones, 42, Patterson, was arrested at 10:36 p.m. Thursday on a leash law charge and on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of issuing worthless checks. Bail was set at $500.

--Kenneth Wayne Rollins, 36, Patterson, was arrested at 2:16 a.m. Friday on a Morgan City Police Department warrant alleging possession of Schedule I drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $26,500.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported these arrests:

--Andri Giroir, 53, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:14 a.m. Friday on charges of failure to signal and possession of drug paraphernalia. (Released on summons.)

--Peter Grogan Jr., 48 Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:11 p.m. Friday on a charge of resisting an officer and as a fugitive from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.

--Celeste Cavalier, 44, Cypress Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:07 p.m. Friday on charges of domestic abuse battery and second-degree battery to a juvenile.

--Melissa Cuvillier, 61, Louisia Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:12 p.m. Friday on a charge of domestic abuse battery.

--Larry Moore Jr., 52, Charlet Drive, Patterson, was arrested at 10:07 p.m. Friday on a charge of driving while intoxicated (third offense).

--Chad Johnson, 44, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:22 p.m. Friday on charges of simple battery and failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Brylen Kemp, 22, Charlotte Drive, Patterson, was arrested at 4:15 p.m. Saturday on a charge of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Michael Howard, 55, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:56 p.m. Saturday on two counts of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Austin Theriot, 31, Andras Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:56 p.m. Sunday on a charge of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Rony Duenas-Lopez, 26, Terrebonne Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 6:18 p.m. Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated and improper turning.

--Carlos Alas, 40, Louisa Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:07 p.m. Thursday on two counts of identity theft, two counts of unlawful possession of fraudulent documents and four counts of forgery.

--Tory Birdsong, 26, Jolie Oaks Boulevard, Thibodaux, was arrested at 5 p.m. Thursday on a charge of failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Angel Avila-Torres, 23, James Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:44 p.m. Thursday on charges of driving under suspension, no insurance, reckless operation, driving while intoxicated and contempt of court.

--Bailey Vasquez, 25, Melancon Road, Broussard, was arrested at 9:10 p.m. Thursday on charges of driving while intoxicated and smoking marijuana in a motor vehicle.

--Dontreal Merritt, 42, Live Oak Street, Patterson, was arrested at 9:13 p.m. June 24 on charges of possession of marijuana (less than 14 grams) and possession of drug paraphernalia. (Released on summons.)

--Elijah Smith, 21, Ibert Street, Franklin, was arrested at 9:13 p.m. June 24 on a charge of possession of marijuana (less than 14 grams). (Released on summons.)

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

--Jevon Smith, 48, Patterson, was arrested at 8:49 p.m. Friday on charges of stop sign violation, disturbing the peace and resisting an officer. Smith was released to appear in Mayor's Court.

--Khylin Brooks, 20, Patterson, was arrested at 11:09 p.m. Friday on charges of expired license plate and driving under suspension. Brooks was released to appear in Mayor's Court.

--Blake Smith, 35, Patterson, was arrested at 2:35 a.m. Saturday on charges of view outward or inward through windshield or windows obstruction and two counts of resisting an officer. Smith was booked, processed and released on a $1,155.00 bond.

--Roger Campbell, Jr., 35, Franklin, was arrested at 12:23 a.m. Sunday on two warrants for the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office alleging failure to appear on charges of theft ($5,000-$25,000) and theft ($1,000-$5,000). Campbell was booked and processed and is currently held on a
$58,000 bond.

--Jason Richard, 30, Grambling, was arrested at 3:27 a.m. June 24 on charges of speeding and driving under suspension. Richard was released to appear in Mayor's Court.

--Arik Louviere, 31, Patterson, was arrested at 10:59 p.m. June 24 on charges of offroad vehicle on public roadways, reckless operation (no accident), headlights required, no insurance, resisting an officer by flight, failure to carry registration, eye protection devices, safety helmets and
possession of marijuana. Louviere was booked, processed and released on a $2,270 bond.

--Raymond Gautreaux, 32, Patterson, was arrested at 9:26 am. Thursday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Gautreaux was booked and processed, and is currently held on a $6,500 bond.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported these arrests:

--Joseph Daniels Jr. 29, Samuel Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:18 a.m. Sunday on a charge of simple battery. Daniels was booked, processed and held on a $2,000 bond.

--Sherika Yarber, 44, Barrone Street, Baldwin, was arrested at 2:16 p.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace. Yarber was booked, processed and released on a $345 bond.

--Lexeanna Williams, 24, of Seventh St., Franklin, LA, was arrested on June 28, 2026, at 2:20 PM on the charges of disturbing the peace and simple criminal damage to property. Williams was booked, processed, and released on a $2,000.00 bond.