Police make arrests in drug cases, check-writing scheme

(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 on heroin and methamphetamine charges Tuesday, while Berwick police say they arrested four people who took part in a phony-check scheme.

Morgan City

Interim Police Chief Mark E. Griffin Jr. reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 47 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

—Christopher George, 24, North Ninth Street, Slidell, was arrested at 5:41 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, hit-and-run driving and driving under suspension.

—Sable Leal, 32, Bayou Black, Gibson, was arrested at 10:33 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

—Denise Garrett Givens, 44, Fourth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:11 a.m. Wednesday on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of MDMA, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone).

—Patrick E. Arabie, 53, Egle Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday on charges of violation of a protective order (fourth offense).

—Heaven Leigh Daigle, 20, Bush Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:40 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of simple battery.

—Stephanie Monique Majarrez, 20, Railroad Avenue, was arrested at 4:08 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of failure appear to pay fines (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

Berwick

Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported these arrests:

—Ashley D. Gross, 39, Fourth Street, Berwick, was arrested at 8:36 a.m. Tuesday on charges of criminal con-spiracy, bank fraud, theft (under $1,000) and attempted theft (under $1,000).

—Jeffry Gross, 39, Fourth Street, Berwick, was arrested at 11:43 a.m. Tuesday on charges of criminal conspiracy, bank fraud, theft (under $1,000) and attempted theft (under $1,000).

—Robert Burke, Sr., 59, Church Street, Patterson, was arrested at 11:43 a.m. Tuesday on charges of criminal conspiracy, bank fraud, theft (under $1,000) and attempted theft (under $1,000).

—Lisa Fontenot, 57, River Road, Berwick, was arrested at 2:01 p.m. Tuesday on charges of criminal conspiracy, bank fraud, theft (under $1,000) and attempted theft (under $1,000).

On Aug. 23, the Berwick Police Department began an investigation into a bank fraud complaint from a local bank. Through investigation, detectives determined that a check-writing scheme was arranged in which Fontenot wrote checks from a closed bank account, and Burke, Jeffry Gross, and Ashley Gross would go to the bank to cash the check.

After the check was cashed, each participant received an undisclosed amount of money. Video evidence and witness statements were obtained that corroborated the scheme.

All suspects were brought in for interviews, and all suspects admitted to their involvement in the matter. Following the interviews, warrants were prepared for their arrest and on Tuesday, all suspects were located and arrested.

Ashley Gross was already incarcerated in the Berwick Jail on unrelated charges; Jeffry Gross and Burke were incarcerated in the Morgan City Jail on unrelated charges; and Fontenot was located at her residence and taken into custody.

All subjects were processed at the Berwick Police Department where they remain in jail with no bond set at this time.

St. Mary

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

—Donald Ray Navy Jr., 33, Franklin, was arrested at 5:41 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of resisting an officer. Bail was set at $2,600.

—Titus Jermaine Guilbeaux, 30, Franklin, was arrested at 2:27 p.m. Tuesday on three warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of criminal neglect of family, resisting an officer, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, flight from an officer and no seat belt.

Guilbeaux was released on a $4,000 bond.

Patterson

Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

—Latifha R.S. Friels, 20, Fifth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:36 a.m. Tuesday on charges of speeding 45 mph in a 35 mph zone and no driver’s license. Friels was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $536.

—David W. Boyd, 51, Prudent Lane, Houston, was arrested at 1:44 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of theft. Boyd is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $476.

—Zachary V. Phathong, 32, Bodeau Loop, Bossier City, was arrested Wednesday on a charge speeding 80 mph in a 55 mph zone and careless operation. Phathong was issued a summons.

Franklin

Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 11 complaints over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

—Linda Landry, 20, Sterling Road, Franklin, was at 12:23 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant dated Aug. 19 alleging theft. Landry was booked, processed and released to appear in 3rd Ward City Court.

—Jaybrioanna Hunter, 27, Cedar Street, Franklin, was arrested at 5 p.m. Tuesday on a 3rd Ward City Court warrant alleging to appear on a charge of possession of marijuana. Hunter was booked, processed and held on a $478.45 bond.

—Carissa Broussard, 38, Wilfred Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:23 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant dated Aug. 29 alleging theft. Broussard was booked, processed and held on a $1,500 bond.