Berwick woman arrested on 23 animal cruelty counts

(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 Berwick woman has been arrested on multiple animal cruelty counts after police and wildlife agents found 40 pets and wild animals in a River Road house with no electricity.

Berwick

Chief David S. Leonard reported this arrest:

--Laura Verret, 57, River Road Berwick, was arrested at 9:30 a.m. Monday on a Berwick warrant alleging 23 counts of animal cruelty.

On March 5, the Berwick Police Department animal warden received a complaint of animal cruelty at a residence on River Road in Berwick. The complaint was that there was a large number of animals, including dogs, cats, nutria rats and raccoons, inside the residence in small cages and in unsanitary living conditions.

Investigators responded and learned that there were 40 different animals at the residence and that the home was abandoned with no electricity. Upon further investigation, it was learned that the residence and animals belonged to Verret.

With the assistance of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and local animal rescues, the animals were safely removed from the residence.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries removed a nutria rat, a raccoon and a wild dove. The animal rescue removed a number of dogs, cats, birds and chickens.

Following the investigation, Verret was issued a citation through Wildlife and Fisheries for possessing the wild animals. A warrant was issued for Verret’s arrest on the animal cruelty counts.

On Monday, Verret turned herself in at the Berwick Police Department, where she was booked on the warrant.

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:

--Alexis Arturo Ordonez Lopez, 33, Lake Palourde Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:35 p.m. Monday on a charge of unlawful production of fraudulent documents.

--Lance Cordell Carbins, 47, Mallard Street, Morgan City, LA, was arrested 8:44 p.m. Monday on charges of remaining where forbidden and thee counts of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Dave Custer, 45, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:05 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of cocaine and operating motorized bicycles.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 23 complaints and made these arrests:

--Tomy Vidos, 46, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:42 a.m. Monday on a charge of violation of protective orders. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Armond Connor, 22, Franklin, was arrested at 12:26 p.m. Monday by the Narcotics Section on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance. Bail was set at $18,000.

--Cristian Barard, 24, Baldwin, was arrested at 12:26 p.m. Monday by the Narcotics Section on charges of window tint violation, possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance. Bail was set at $35,000.