Local police make arrests on heroin, meth charges
(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.)
Morgan City police made arrests Tuesday on heroin and methamphetamine possession charges, and Berwick police made a meth possession arrest.
Morgan City
Police Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 48 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:
—Kaleb Williams Smith, 22, Maple Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:57 a.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of Suboxone, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, no driver’s license, no insurance, switched license plate and failure to appear for sentencing (16th Judicial District Court). Smith was also named in a fugitive warrant from Louisiana Probation and Parole.
—Nicholas Fitch, 40, Afton Street, Houma, was arrested on a charge of possession of heroin, possession of legend drug without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice, driving under suspension and speeding 74 mph in a 60 mph zone.
—Mekhi Paul Branton, 19, Greenwood Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:31 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).
—Carson Malagarie, 41, Bayouside Drive, Chauvin, was arrested at 1:57 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of theft of a catalytic converter.
Berwick
Police Chief David S. Leonard reported these arrests:
—Jarell J. Collie, 31, Versen Street, Berwick, was arrested at 8:51 a.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, simple criminal damage to property and obstruction of justice (tampering with evidence).
At 8:38 a.m. Tuesday, the Berwick Police Department responded to a residence on Versen Street in reference to a disturbance in progress. Officers arrived and learned that Collie was being aggressive towards a person in the residence and he busted out a window to the house then fled on foot.
Officers located Collie hiding in a bathroom of a nearby home and took him into custody without incident. During his arrest, he was found to have methamphetamine in his possession. Upon arrival at the Police Department, a more thorough search was conducted, and he was found to have an unknown drug or medication concealed on his person, and once it was located, Collie destroyed the substance.
He was booked at the Berwick Police Department then transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center where no bond has been set.
—Jamie Y. Hernandez, 43, California Street, Berwick, was arrested at 10:12 p.m. Tuesday on charges of improper equipment, no driver’s license and no motor vehicle registration.
At 10:12 p.m. Tuesday, officers on patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Third St. with improper lighting equipment on the car. A traffic stop was conducted, and Hernandez was identified as the driver.
Officers learned that he did not have a driver’s license, and the vehicle he was driving was not registered. Hernandez was placed under arrest and booked into the Berwick Jail, where he posted a cash bond of $453 and was released.
St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 27 complaints and made these arrests:
—Brittany Michelle Roberson, 33, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:37 a.m. Tuesday on a Lafourche Parish warrant. Roberson is being held for another agency.
—Joseph Felix Debuse, 35, New Iberia, was arrested at 12:49 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of possession of marijuana. Bail has not been set.
Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 16 complaints over the last 24-hour reporting period and this arrest:
—Gilbert Folks, 65, Lacy Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:48 Tuesday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court for failure to appear on a charge of no driver’s license on person. Folks was additionally arrested on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court alleging failure to appear on the charges of taking crab with illegal gear and using crab traps without required markings. Folks was booked, processed, and released on a $1,218.00 bond.