Two men accused of possessing drugs in distribution quantities

(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 traffic stop in the Morgan City area last week led to the arrest of two Bunkie men on drug possession charges, including possession of cocaine and oxycodone, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office said Thursday

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported these arrests:
--𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝗿., 𝟲𝟬, Bunkie, was arrested at 3:49 p.m. Monday on charges of driving left of center, possession with intent to distribute MDMA, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute alprazolam, possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and resisting an officer by providing false information.
Bail was set at $250,000.

--𝗜𝘀𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘄𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝟲𝟲, Bunkie, was arrested at 9:19 p.m. April 12 on charges of possession with intent to distribute MDMA, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute alprazolam, possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and transactions involving drug proceeds.
Bail was set at $150,000.

On April 12, a detective with the SMPSO Narcotics Section conducted a traffic stop in the Morgan City area on a white Mercedes Benz. The detective made contact with the driver, who identified himself as Ronald Washington, and a passenger, Dawson.

Through the stop and investigation, K9 Eyla conducted an open-air sniff and showed a positive alert on the vehicle. Subsequently, drugs were found in the vehicle.

The amount of the drugs found demonstrated an intent to distribute. As the investigation progressed, it was learned that Washington’s name was actually Johnny Washington, Jr.

The narcotics and the Mercedes were seized, and both men were transported to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office for booking.

--Joey Jermaine Francois, 43, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:09 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of speeding, operating a vehicle without driver's license and failure to maintain automobile liability insurance. Francois was released on a $2,500 bond.

--Vickie Landry Norwood, 42, Morgan City, was arrested at 10 a.m. Wednesday on three warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of marijuana, entry on or remaining in places or on land after being forbidden, and speeding. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Landon Shane Meyerholtz, 19, Franklin, was arrested at 5:26 p.m. Wednesday on charges of simple criminal damage to property, reckless operation (no accident), possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, and possession of Schedule I drugs.

Bail has not been set at this time.

--Robert Lamon Narcisse, 35, Franklin, was arrested at 9:42 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of simple battery. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Anthony Tony Bourda Jr., 43, Franklin, was arrested tat at 9:12 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of speeding and operating a vehicle while license is suspended, revoked or canceled. Bail was set at $500.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 76 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Tyrone Fitzgerald Thomas, 59, Florida Alley, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:44 p.m. Thursday on two counts of failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Tanya J. May, 49, Catherine Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:01 p.m. Thursday on charges of entry or remaining after being forbidden and resisting an officer.

--Kade Rollins, 22, Brashear Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:47 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of domestic abuse battery.

--Jean Carlos Gomez Bautista, 20, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:56 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of possession of fraudulent documents and failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

---Shuantell Hartdegen, 40, Elaine Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:19 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of failure to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to two complaints over the last 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:

--Carl Joseph, 30, Curtis Drive, Franklin, was arrested at 7:18 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant dated Sunday alleging possession of MDMA). Joseph was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

Assumption