Citizen's call leads to six drug-related arrests in Berwick

(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 citizen’s complaint Wednesday led to six drug-related arrests by Berwick police.

Berwick

Police Chief David S. Leonard reported these arrests:

--Maison Rivere, 28, La. 402, Napoleonville, was arrested at 1:59 p.m. Wednesday on charges of stop sign violation, driving under suspension and possession of drug paraphernalia.

--Vivian Oropesa, 37, Fourth Street, Berwick, was arrested at 1:59 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

--Courtney Smith, 33, Levee Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:27 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

--Patricia Thomas, 50, Fourth Street, Berwick, was arrested at 3:27 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

--Deborah Francois, 38, Fourth Street, Berwick, was arrested at 3:27 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone).

--Lucius Romero, 47, Third Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:27 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and violation of controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone), and on a warrant alleging parole violation.

On Wednesday morning, the Berwick Police Department received a call from a concerned citizen who reported illegal drug activity occurring at a residence in the 2900 block of Fourth Street. Officers immediately began to monitor and investigate this complaint.

Through investigation, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after it was observed to disregard a stop sign on Sixth Street. Officers made contact with the driver, who was identified as Rivere, and the passenger, who was identified as Oropesa. During the course of the stop, it was learned that Rivere’s license was suspended.

Rivere consented to a search of the vehicle, at which time items of drug paraphernalia belonging to Rivere were located. Also in the vehicle, officers located items of drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine inside a bag belonging to Oropesa.

Officers also identified the residence where the drug activity was occurring at as belonging to Oropesa. Rivere was placed under arrest and released on a summons for the traffic offenses and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Oropesa was also arrested, and she was transported to the Berwick Police Department for booking.

At that point, a search warrant was obtained for Oropesa’s residence. Berwick officers, with the assistance of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office, executed the search warrant at the residence.

During this time, officers made contact with Smith, Thomas, Francois and Romero. Romero, who was wanted for a parole violation through the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole, was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.

Throughout the course of the search, officers located more methamphetamine and several items of drug paraphernalia that belonged to Francois. The residence in which the incident occurred is within 2,000 feet of several churches and schools, which are all posted as drug-free zones.

Smith and Thomas were arrested and released on summons.

Romero and Francois were transported to the Berwick Police Department for booking.

The Berwick Police Department thanked the citizen for the call on this matter and wants to remind the public that if you see something, say something. Anyone who wants to report a crime can do so by calling the Berwick Police Department, and they can remain anonymous.

Morgan City

Interim Police Chief Mark Griffin Jr. reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 34 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:

--Kathy Pierce, 55, Park Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:24 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of allowing dog to roam.

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:

--Dustin John Palmer, 42, Franklin, was arrested at 10:24 a.m. Wednesday on two warrants alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession of methamphetamine. Bail has not been set.

--Ashley Tremaine Francois, 35, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:40 a.m. Wednesday on two warrants alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession of methamphetamine and altering a prescription of a CDS. Bail has not been set.

--Tyrone David Jackson, 38, Jeanerette, was arrested at 9:47 p.m. Wednesday on charges of domestic abuse (child endangerment law) and domestic abuse battery. Jackson was released on a $3,500 bond.