Local business owner arrested on marijuana, gun charges

Staff Report
The Morgan City Police Department reported the arrest Thursday of a local man on marijuana and weapon charges. The suspect is Harlan Kappel, owner of Morgan City’s East Gate BBQ.
—Kappel, 48, Seventh Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:45 a.m. Thursday on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, violation of the uniform controlled dangerous substance laws (drug free zone), illegal carrying of a weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia, transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses and distribution of marijuana.
According to the daily arrest report from Police Chief James F. Blair, narcotics detectives with the Morgan City Police Department conducted an investigation at a residence on Seventh Street. While conducting the investigation, detectives came into contact with Kappel.
He was found in possession of suspected marijuana, edible products that contained THC, drug paraphernalia, a firearm and U.S. currency that was derived from the sales of illegal narcotics. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
Blair also reported these arrests:
—Michael P. Merrick, 58, Lawrence Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:13 p.m. Thursday on warrants for possession of crack cocaine and three counts of failure to appear.
Officers came into contact with Merrick on Headland Street. A warrant check revealed the Morgan City Police Department and the City Court of Morgan City held active warrants for his arrest. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—John Charles Gresco, 58, La.182, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:34 p.m. Thursday on charges of disturbing the peace (intoxicated) and resisting an officer.
—Charles Bilkey, 62, Carol Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:35 p.m. Thursday on charges of disturbing the peace (intoxicated) and resisting an officer.
Narcotics detectives with the Morgan City Police Department were conducting an investigation at an address on La.182. During the investigation, Gresco and Bilkey began to interfere with the investigation. Investigators observed both Gresco and Bilkey were in an intoxicated condition.
Upon attempting to arrest Gresco and Bilkey, they resisted arresting officers. They were restrained and handcuffed. They were placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Melanie Dawn Rink, 46, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:31 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and MDMA, possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia, and transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses.
—Christopher James Ross, 48 , Elmira Court, Thibodaux, was arrested at 11:31 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana (first offense), drug paraphernalia and Zolpidem tartrate (TEVA).
Narcotic detectives executed a search warrant at an address on La. 182. Investigators came into contact with Rink and Ross. Rink was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine, MDMA, crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Investigators learned the methamphetamine and MDMA Rink possessed were intended to be sold in Morgan City.
Furthermore, Rink possessed U.S. currency that was derived from the sales of illegal narcotics.
Ross was found in possession of suspected marijuana, Zolpidem tartrate (TEVA), and drug paraphernalia. Both Rink and Ross were placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Jordan Avery Steele, 40, Second Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:12 a.m. Friday on a warrant for theft under the $1,000.
Warrant: Theft under $1,000.00
Officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Diana Drive and Chestnut Drive and identified the driver as Steele. A warrant check revealed the Morgan City Police Department held an active warrant for his arrest. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard reported these arrests:
—Landen Harper, 21, Summa Avenue, Baton Rouge, was arrested at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, speeding 68 mph in a 45 mph zone and driving under suspension.
About 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, an officer in the area of La. 182 observed a vehicle traveling at a speed higher than the posted 45 mph zone. A traffic stop was conducted and officers made contact with Harper. A computer check showed that that his driver’s license was suspended.
Through the course of the stop, an odor of marijuana was detected coming from the vehicle. Subsequent to a vehicle search, marijuana was located inside, which Harper admitted belonged to him. Harper was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he was booked.
—Brock McMellon, 37, Judge Doucet Drive, Abbeville, was arrested at 2:45 a.m. Wednesday on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (over 14 grams), possession of marijuana (under 14 grams) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
About 4:08 Wednesday, officers in the area of U.S. 90 conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding. Officers made contact with the driver and passenger, identified as McMellon.
During the stop, consent was granted to search the vehicle at which time methamphetamine, marijuana, and items of drug paraphernalia were located inside. Through the course of the investigation, McMellon admitted that the narcotics and paraphernalia belonged to him and that the methamphetamine was destined to be sold. McMellon was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he was booked.
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
— Brandon Alan Gaspard, 41, La. 70 South, Pierre Part was arrested Thursday on charges of domestic abuse battery and felony violation of protective orders.
— Vickie Marie Gaspard, 37, Riverbend Street, Pierre Part, was arrested Thursday on a charge of misdemeanor violation of protective orders.
On Thursday evening, deputies responded to a call of a domestic incident at an address on La. 70. Deputies made contact with the complainant, Vickie Marie Gaspard, who provided deputies with her version of the events that transpired.
Deputies then interviewed Brandon Gaspard, who detailed his version of events that occurred.
Based on physical evidence, injuries and information that was gathered, deputies determined that there was probable cause to believe that both, Brandon Alan Gaspard and Vickie Marie Gaspard
had violated reciprocal protective orders each had previously filed.
Both Brandon Alan Gaspard and Vickie Marie Gaspard were incarcerated pending bond proceedings.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported this arrest:
—Zacolby Lionel Granger, 28, Grace Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:11 a.m. Thursday on charges of reckless operation with no accident and driving under suspension. Granger was released on a summons to appear Dec. 11.