Sheriff's Office: Deputies, K9 tracked escaped inmate

(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 K9 helped deputies track an escaped Iberville Parish inmate Wednesday in a wooded, swampy area near Verdunville, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office said.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 22 complaints and made this arrest:

--Timothy Robert Billiot, 55, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3:41 p.m. Wednesday on charges of simple and aggravated escape. Billiot is being held for another agency.

On Wednesday, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office obtained information that Billiot had escaped from the Iberville Parish Jail and could be in St. Mary Parish.

A deputy observed a vehicle matching the description of Billiot's vehicle in the area of Verdunville near the levee. Detectives and deputies searched the levee, but there was no truck.

Detectives observed tire tracks that led down a trail between the levee and the tree line near the swamp.

The trail had been blocked by a small tree, which seemed out of place. Following the trail further, the detectives located the truck, obscured by thick brush and dark clothing.

Deputies set up a perimeter, and K9 Duko was deployed to track the suspect in the woods. K9 Duko successfully tracked Billiot and helped push him out of the woods towards deputies on the perimeter.

Contact was made with Billiot, and he was taken into custody and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

Detectives thanked the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives who were present and crucial in the search for Billiot.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 49 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Neil Reynolds, 42, Levee Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:44 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana and improper turning and as a fugitive from Marion County, Mississippi.

--Quincy James Johnson, 29, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:20 p.m. Wednesday on two counts of failure to appear to fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Kayla Bergeron, 34, Carolwood Drive, Lafayette, was arrested at 10:46 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported this arrest:
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-Brian M.Racicot, 58, Fifth Street, Patterson, was arrested at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday on charges of disturbing the peace (intoxicated) and open container in public. Racicot was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $752.