Six more drug-related arrests by local agencies

(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 recent uptick in drug-related arrests continues, with seven more reported by area law enforcement agencies.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported that over the last 48-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 93 complaints and made these arrests:

--Joseph Butler James, 44, Franklin, was arrested at 2:32 p.m. Monday on
charges of possession of methamphetamine, expired or no inspection sticker, failure of owner to secure registration, proper equipment required, driving under suspension and introduction of contraband into a penal institution.

Bail was set at $50,000.

--Jayden Jamell Smith, 19, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:28 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of marijuana, violation of a drug-free zone and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Kimberly Marie Jones, 34, Morgan City, was arrested 1:02 a.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of possession with intent to distribute synthetic cannabinoids, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, and operating a vehicle with license suspended, revoked, or canceled.

Bail was set at $35,000.

--Carlton Ben Cosey, 43, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:15 p.m. Tuesday on three Morgan City Police Department warrants. Bail was set at $723.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 82 calls for service over the last 48-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Justin Brinson, 29, Barry Court, Hammond, was arrested at 2:18 a.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of Adderall, possession of drug paraphernalia and improper lane usage.

--Nathan Lovell, 31, Vivian Street, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Zakari Valentine, 20, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday on charges of threatening a public official, criminal damage to property, resisting an officer and three counts of battery on an officer.

--Corey Smith, 31, Judy Lane, Patterson, was arrested at 6:40 a.m. Monday on charges of domestic abuse child endangerment law and domestic abuse battery.

--Alyssa Ashmore, 35, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:29 p.m. Monday on charges of disturbing the peace and driving under suspension.

Berwick

Chief David Leonard Sr. reported these arrests this week:

--Joshua Jacobs, 35, Lafayette, was arrested at 1:39 a.m. Sunday on charges of suspended driver’s license, prohibited acts Schedule II methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of stolen things.

--Vivian Oropesa, 40, Berwick, was arrested at 2:33 p.m. Tuesday on charges of probation violation, prohibited acts Schedule II methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of a drug-free zone.

--Female juvenile, 13, Berwick, was arrested Saturday on a Berwick warrant alleging simple assault.

--Akita Francis, 32, Berwick, was arrested at 8:56 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of failure to appear (Berwick City Court).

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

--Arian Nicole Wiggins, 27, Teche Road, Morgan City, was arrested Monday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of LSD.

The arrest arises from a traffic incident May 17 on La. 70 in Pierre Part.

A uniformed patrol deputy observed a westbound vehicle commit a traffic violation and initiated a stop of that vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver, now identified as Wiggins, and engaged Wiggins in an interview.

At the conclusion of that process, the deputy believed that additional investigation was warranted.

A search of the suspect vehicle resulted in the seizure of multiple controlled dangerous substances.

At the time of the incident, Wiggins was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on charges of possession of Xanax; possession of Adderall; sale, distribution, or possession of a legend drug without a prescription; possession of marijuana; operating a vehicle while intoxicated; expired motor vehicle inspection; possession alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle; and driving on a roadway laned for traffic.

Wiggins was released May 20 on a $70,000 commercial bond.

Deputies filed additional charges on Wiggins on June 27 upon confirmation of additional controlled dangerous substances by the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab.

Wiggins was arrested Monday in Napoleonville on the methamphetamine and LSD charges and remains incarcerated pending bond hearing.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 27 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--John May Jr., 35, Congress Street, Lafayette, was arrested at 8:04 p.m. Monday on a charge of possession of marijuana and on a warrant for the 15th Judicial District Court alleging failure to appear on a charge of stop sign violation.
May was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

--Clayton Helaire, 39, Edison Street, Lafayette, while incarcerated at the Franklin Police Department, was arrested at 8:07 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging parole violation. Helaire was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

--Brittany Noel, 35, Short Street, Lafayette, while incarcerated at the Franklin Police Department, was arrested at 9:16 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging probation violation. Noel was booked, processed and transported to the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office.