Antidepressant figures in two local arrests

(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.)

The antidepressant alprazolam, the generic drug sold as Xanax, figured in a pair of otherwise unrelated drug arrests Wednesday, including one that also resulted in the seizure of cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy and a large amount of cash, arrest reports say.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that over the last 24-hour period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 28 calls for service and made these arrests:
—Harold Willie Francois, 41, South Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:48 a.m. Wednesday on charges of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of the uniform controlled dangerous substance laws (drug-free zone) and transactions involving proceeds from drug activity.
—Dan Curtis Gant, 66, South Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:13 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of MDMA, possession of alprazolam and violation of the uniform controlled dangerous substance laws (drug-free zone).
Morgan City narcotics detectives executed a search warrant at a residence on South Railroad Avenue, with the assistance of St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s narcotic detectives.
Investigators located several individuals inside the residence. Two were identified as Francois and Gant. During the investigation, Francois was found to be in possession of a large amount of crack cocaine and money, along with drug paraphernalia.
Gant was found in possession of marijuana, MDMA, and alprazolam. The residence was within a drug-free zone.
They were booked and incarcerated at the Morgan City Police Department.
—Clyde Warren Prater, 38, Jones Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:38 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of driving while intoxicated (first offense).

Berwick
Police Chief David Leonard reported the following arrest: 
—Joseph Martinez, 32, Natalie Lane, Patterson, was arrested at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of Xanax, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while intoxicated (second offense), driving under suspension and proper equipment required.
At about 9:20 p.m. Wednesday, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling on La. 182 for not having properly functioning taillights. Officers met with the driver, Martinez, and detected a strong odor of marijuana.
A search of the vehicle was done, and marijuana, items of drug paraphernalia and Xanax pills were located inside and learned to belong to Martinez.
Martinez appeared to be impaired. A computer check revealed that his driver’s license was suspended.
Martinez was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he provided a valid breath sample of 0.083 G% BAC.
Martinez was then booked.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 34 complaints and made these arrests:
—Jermaine Raymond, 32, Abbeville, was arrested at 3:18 p.m. Wednesday on charges of driver must be licensed and possession of crack cocaine. Raymond was released on a $5,250 bond.
—Janna Gilmore, 35, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of Schedule V drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Gilmore also held two warrants for failure to appear on the charges of distribution of cocaine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. No bail has been set.

St. Martin
Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:
—Tradell Demouchet, 25, Brick Street, Breaux Bridge, was arrested by the Breaux Bridge Police Department on charges of attempted second-degree murder/non-negligent manslaughter, attempted armed robbery, illegal use of a weapon, aggravated criminal damage to property, aggravated assault with a firearm and disturbing the peace.
—Chad Leblanc, 53, Henderson Levee Avenue, Henderson, was reported Wednesday by the Henderson Police Department on a probation violation.
—Chance Thibodeaux, 29, Poche Bridge Road, was arrested Wednesday on charges of possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs; second-degree murder/non-negligent manslaughter; manufacture, distribution or possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs; and criminal conspiracy.
—Cy Arcement, 37, Bayou Tortue Road, Broussard, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling.
—Jason Boggs, 44, La. 10, St. Francisville, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of possession of stolen things.
—Zavian Boutte, 19, Leed Champagne Road, St. Martinville, was arrested on warrants for failure to appear on charges of armed robbery, home invasion, simple battery, aggravated battery, and simple burglary of a movable or immovable.
—Brandi Derouen, 44, New Iberia, was arrested Tuesday by the Louisiana State Police on an extradition warrant.
—Kentrell Gaulden, 21, Chippewa Street, Baton Rouge, was arrested Tuesday on a hold for the U.S. Marshals Service.

Chitimacha
Tribal Police Chief Hal Hutchinson reported this arrest:
—Mark Burgess, 50, was arrested Wednesday on charges possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of drugs in a drug-free zone and violation of probation conditions.
About 10 a.m. Wednesday, officers with the Chitimacha Tribal Police Department responded to a call for service.
When officers arrived at the business, they observed Burgess to be in possession of 16 grams of methamphetamine and a meth pipe. Burgess was arrested and transported to the St. Mary Parish Jail.