Sheriff: Man tried to pass phony money in Bayou L'Ourse

(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.)

A Morgan City man arrested Saturday by St. Mary deputies was wanted in connection with an alleged attempt to pass counterfeit money, the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office said.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

— Steven James Morris, 36, Doris Street, Morgan City, was arrested Saturday on a charge of monetary instrument abuse.

The charge arises from a complaint lodged by a Bayou L’Ourse retail outlet Oct. 6.

Deputies were dispatched to the business and inter-viewed the management, who indicated that an individual attempted to purchase items with counterfeit or altered currency. When the individual was advised that the first bill was faulty, he presented a second bill that was also altered.

The male subject indicated that he would go to his car to retrieve his debit card. The suspect left and never returned.

Investigating deputies viewed security footage which was ultimately posted to social media. Within minutes of that publication, Sheriff’s officials received numerous calls in which Morris was identified as the suspect.

Deputies secured an arrest warrant for Morris. The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Morris on Saturday.

Morris was transferred and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center and remains incarcerated with bond set at $50,000.

Morgan City

Interim Police Chief Mark E. Griffin Jr. reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 63 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made this arrest:

—Estrella Ashley Shamah, 33, Garber Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:45 a.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of Adderall and possession of a legend drug (Lexapro).

Patterson

Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

—Wade J. Blackburn Sr., 46, Cherry Street, Patterson, was arrested at 5:17 p.m. Tuesday on charges of failure to appear (traffic), allowing unlicensed persons to drive and simple battery. Blackburn paid a $976 fine and was released.

—Jada Druilhet, 21, Rail-road Avenue, Baldwin, was arrested at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of disturbing the peace (fighting). Druilhet was released on a $459 cash bond.