Sheriff: K9 Buddy tracked man who fled; 2 arrests

Staff Report
Officers on patrol recognized a Morgan City man with an active warrant and when they approached him he fled. But K9 Buddy tracked him to a residence in Bayou Vista, where drugs were found and two arrests were made, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith said in a news release.
—Stephan Edward Taylor, 36, of Teche Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:37 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), violation of controlled dangerous substance law drug-free zone, possession of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Dedrick Gant, 34, of Willard Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:07 a.m. Thursday on charges of possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute, second or subsequent offenses, violation of a controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone), four counts possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor, two counts resisting a police officer with violence or force, two counts battery on a police officer and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family.
A deputy was patrolling the area of Anthony Street in Bayou Vista when he observed Gant, who he knew held an active warrant, walking near the intersection of Anthony and Arlington roads. The deputy made contact with Gant and advised him of the active warrant. Gant fled on foot from the deputy. K9 Buddy tracked Gant to the 400 block of Teche Road, where deputies located Gant at a residence.
During the attempt to take Gant into custody, Gant resisted the deputies with force, the sheriff said.
During the investigation, drugs belonging to Gant and the tenant of the residence, Taylor, were located.
Gant and Taylor were transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center and jailed.
Bail for Gant was set at $202,760.00. Bail for Taylor was set at $5,000.
Smith also advised that the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to 22 complaints and the following arrests were made:
—James Louis Simon, 27, of Squirrel Run in New Iberia, was arrested at 3:16 p.m. Thursday on charges of speeding, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Simon was released on a summons to appear on May 18.
—Carlos Wayne Joseph, 29, of Big Four Corners Road in Jeanerette, was arrested at 10:32 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle while license is suspended and stop signs. Joseph was released on a summons to appear on May 18.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 51 calls of service and the following arrests were made:
—Tra Acosta, 23, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:34 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear to pay a fine for the charge of hit and run and a warrant for failure to appear to pay the fine for the charge of window tint violation.
Acosta was located at his residence by officers who knew of a warrant for his arrest. He was jailed.
—Melody Wolf, 45, of Caliente Street in Norfolk, Virginia, was arrested at 9:45 a.m. Thursday on charges of improper turning, first offense possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Carlos Rodriguez, 24, of Flaxman Street in Pensacola, was arrested at 9:45 a.m. Thursday on charges of possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine) less than 2 grams, first offense possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Gregory Kallam Jr., 37, of Caliente Street in Norfolk, VA, was arrested at 9:45 a.m. Thursday on a charge of first offense possession of marijuana.
An officer observed a vehicle perform an illegal turn near Federal and Brashear avenues.
The officer stopped the driver who was identified as Wolf and spoke with her about the traffic violation.
While speaking with her the officer could smell a strong odor of suspected marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officer then contacted the other passengers and spoke with them.
The officer located suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Rodriguez was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine. All three subjects were jailed.
—Elton Pinn, 36, of St. Claire Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:05 a.m. Thursday on a warrant. Pinn was located in City Court of Morgan City and placed under arrest on a warrant from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office. He was jailed.
—Gerald Ruffin, 37, of Bush Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:28 a.m. on a warrant. Ruffin was arrested at St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center and transported to Morgan City Police Department where he was jailed for an outstanding Morgan City Court warrant.
—Jewel Ross, 35, of North Veret Street in Amelia, was arrested at 3:10 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for the City Court of Morgan City for contempt of court. She was jailed.
—Joseph Acosta, 27, of Grove Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:51 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of theft. Acosta was located in a vehicle after the driver was stopped in the area of Sixth Street.
The officer knew of a warrant for Acosta from the 16th Judicial District Court and he was jailed.
Chitamacha Tribal Police Chief Hal Hutchinson reported the following arrest:
—Brandy Martin, 45, of Chitimacha Trail in Charenton, was arrested for three active warrants for the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The warrants are for failure to appear for arraignment for the charges of failure to maintain automobile liability insurance and expired motor vehicle inspection, failure to appear for arraignment for the charges of failure to maintain automobile liability insurance and failure to yield at an intersection when turning left, and a warrant for possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine). She was jailed at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported no arrests.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported no arrests.