Drug-related arrests reported by St. Mary, Morgan City, Berwick authorities

(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.)

St. Mary Parish deputies and police in Morgan City and Berwick all reported arrests related to drug possession Thursday and Friday.

Berwick

Police Chief David S. Leonard reported this arrest:

—Kristie Blanchard, 44, River Road, Berwick was arrested at 2:32 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of a legend drug without a prescription (gabapentin), possession of marijuana (under 14 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia, modified exhaust and driving under suspension, and on a Berwick warrant alleging disturbing the peace.

About 2 a.m. Friday, a vehicle was observed traveling on Texas Street with a loud modified exhaust system and playing loud music. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle, and officers made contact with the driver who was identified as Blanchard.

An odor of marijuana was detected coming from the vehicle. Blanchard admitted that she had a small amount of marijuana on her person. Officers collected the marijuana and also located gabapentin pills for which she could not provide a prescription for.

It was learned that her driver’s license was suspended and that she held an active warrant through the Berwick Police Department. Blanchard was transported to the Berwick Police Department where she was book. No bond was set.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 30 complaints and made this arrest:

—James Anthony Tarleton, 28, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, was arrested at 2:39 a.m. Thursday on three warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of criminal neglect of family; possession with intent to distribute clonazepam; possession with intent to distribute of alprazolam; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; operating a vehicle while license is suspended, revoked or canceled; and resisting a police officer with force or violence.

Bail has not been set at this time.

Morgan City

Interim Police Chief Mark E. Griffin Jr. reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 38 calls for service in the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

—Kristin Michelle Aucoin, 29, River Road, Berwick, was arrested at 1:56 a.m. Friday on warrants alleging criminal trespassing, criminal mischief, urinating in public and disturbing the peace.

—Tabitha Star Nevels, 32, Poncio Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:10 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of cocaine.