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Morgan City police make arrests on drug, desertion 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 reported arrests involving child desertion, marijuana possession and drunken driving over the weekend.

Morgan City

Interim Police Chief Mark E. Griffin Jr. reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 106 calls for service over the last 72-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

—Cassandra Ann LaCoste, 27, Russo Street, Berwick, was arrested at 10:44 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of marijuana and disregard of traffic controls.

—Joshua Michael LaCoste, 47, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:08 p.m. Saturday on charges of child desertion, child in need of care and allowing dogs to roam (fourth offense).

—Brittany Morgan, 31, Pine Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:36 p.m. Saturday on charges of self-mutilation of a prisoner and battery of a police officer.

—Jose Miguel Garcia-Robles, 29, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:02 p.m. Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), reckless operation of a motor vehicle and no driver’s license.

—Matthew Cohn, 29, Sterling drive, Houma, was arrested at 2:48 a.m. Monday on charges of possession of marijuana and improper turning.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 72-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 101 com-plaints and made these arrests:

—Ciara Vaughntasha Williams, 34, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 11:55 a.m. Friday on charges of theft by shop-lifting and resisting an officer by giving false information. Williams also held two warrants alleging failure to appear on the charges of theft and prostitution. Bail has not been set at this time.

—Tina Ware, 40, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:30 a.m. Sunday on two warrants alleging failure to appear on the charges of theft and simple battery. Bail has not been set.

—James Patrick Chaisson, 55, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:18 a.m. Monday on charges of driving on roadway laned for traffic and resisting arrest or officer.

Bail has not been set.

Patterson

Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

—Ramie Bourgeois, 19, Main Street, Patterson was arrested at 3:22 p.m. Saturday on charges of resisting an officer by giving false information and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

Bourgeois was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail. Bond was set at $3,500.

—Mare M. Pollard, 58, Gabriel Street, Patterson, was arrested at 12:04 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense); driver’s license suspended or revoked; and headlights required.

Pollard was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.

—Arlin R. Argueta-Moline, 23, Shannon Street, Patterson, was arrested at 1:56 p.m. Sunday on charges of no driver’s license, open container and unsafe vehicle. Argueta-Moline was issued a citation.

—Donshea A. Amos, 34, Ellis Street, Patterson, was arrested at 12:35 p.m. Sunday on charges of battery of a dating partner, resisting an officer by force and disturbing the peace. Amos was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.

Berwick

Police Chief David S. Leonard reported these arrests:

—Corvion Smith, 20, Freret Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:24 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and window tint violation.

About 3:04 p.m. Thursday, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle for window tint. Officers made contact with the driver, Smith.

An odor of marijuana was detected coming from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted, at which time officers located marijuana and items of paraphernalia. Officers also located a 9mm handgun that was reported stolen through Ascension Parish.

Smith was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he was booked.

—Cassie Rankin, 33, Levee Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:58 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling.

—On Aug. 10, the Berwick Police Department received a complaint of a residential burglary. Officers responded and met with the complainant, who identified Rankin as the suspect. The complainant advised that Rankin entered their residence the night before and took several items.

An investigation was conducted and evidence was provided linking Rankin to the burglary. A warrant was obtained and Rankin was placed under arrest. Rankin was booked.

—Derrick Mitchell, 35, Old Spanish Trail, Broussard, was arrested at 2:55 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of marijuana, speeding 54 mph in a 30 mph zone and driving under suspension.

—About 2:28 a.m. Thursday, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle for speeding 54 mph in a 30 mph zone. Officers made contact with the driver, who was identified as Mitchell.

Mitchell was advised for the reason of the stop and asked to provide a valid driver’s license. An odor of marijuana was detected coming from the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle was conducted at which time officers located marijuana inside. A driver’s license check showed that Mitchell’s driver’s license was suspended.

Mitchell was placed under arrest. Mitchell was released on a summons to appear in court in November.

—Jorge Canizales Fugon, 27, Southeast Boulevard, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:43 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), reckless operation of a motor vehicle, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and no driver’s license.

About 2:16 a.m. Sunday, a vehicle was observed traveling in a reckless manner on La. 182 West. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle, and officers made contact with the driver, who was identified as Canizales Fugon.

During the course of the stop, Canizales Fugon showed signs of impairment, and a strong odor of alcohol was detected coming from his breath and person. Canizales Fugon was asked to perform a series of standardized field sobriety tests, which he agreed to do and performed poorly. A computer check showed that he did not have a driver’s license.

Canizales Fugon was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he provided a valid breath sample of 0.172G% BAC. Canizales Fugon was booked.

—Dekota Johnson, 20, La. 311, Schriever, was arrested at 10:13 a.m. Sunday on a warrant alleging felony con-tributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

About 10:13 a.m. Sunday, officers traveled to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center and located Johnson, who had active warrants through the Berwick Police Department. Johnson was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he was booked on the warrant.

The warrant stems from an investigation involving a juvenile that was conducted in June 2022. Through the course of the investigation, it was learned that Johnson was involved in aiding the juvenile to partake in illegal activities.

Following the booking process, Johnson was transported back to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for incarceration.

Franklin

Police Chief Morris Beverly reported these arrests:

—Ebony Antoine, 39, Samuel Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:29 a.m. Aug. 10 on charges of criminal conspiracy and three counts of theft. Antoine was booked, processed and held on a $5,000 bond.

—Shameka Calhoun, 22, 10th Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:29 a.m. Aug. 10 on charges of criminal conspiracy and three counts of theft. Antoine was booked, processed and held on a $5,000 bond.

—Girard Navy, 30, Ninth Street, Franklin, was arrested at 9:30 a.m. Thursday on charges of resisting an officer by flight, domestic abuse battery with child endangerment and violation of protective order. Navy was booked, processed and held on a $22,500 bond.

—Alonzo Alexander, 41, Ninth Street, Franklin, was arrested at 11:02 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on the charges of stop signs and yield signs and speeding. Alexander was booked, processed and released on a $398 bond.

—Darien Hoskins, 42, B Street, Franklin, was arrested at 6:30 p.m. Thursday on a charge of battery of a dating partner. Hoskins was booked, processed and released on a $2,500 bond.

—LaTonya Ben, 45, Hayes Drive, Lafayette, was arrested at 6:33 p.m. Thursday on a charge of battery of a dating partner. Ben was booked, processed and released on a $2,500 bond.

ST. MARY NOW

Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874

Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255