Threat report leads to investigation of possible explosive device

(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 call to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office about a firearm threat Monday at a Centerville home turned into an investigation of a possible explosive device. The device was later found to be inoperable and without explosives.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported these arrests:

--Javier Castro Jr., 34, Franklin, was arrested at 8:55 a.m. Monday on a charge of aggravated assault with a firearm
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Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Chandra Lane in reference to a male who was armed and threatening to shoot a woman. Deputies responded to the residence and made contact with the man, identified as Castro, who was attempting to leave in a pickup truck.

During the investigation, a handgun was found and Castro was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail has not been set at this time.

Detectives obtained and executed a search warrant at the residence. Subsequently, a possible explosive device that had the appearance of a hand grenade was found. Public safety protocols were implemented, and the U.S. Army dispatched an Explosive Ordinance Disposal team to the location.

Upon arrival, the U.S. Army EOD team X-rayed the device and found the fuse to be inoperable and the device to contain no explosive contents. The device was removed without incident.

Detectives thanked the Franklin Fire Department, Centerville Fire Department, Berwick Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal for their assistance.

--Michael Paul Merrick, 60, Baldwin, was arrested at 7:57 p.m. Monday on a warrant alleging failure to ap-pear on charges of direct contempt, failure to give required signal, and operating a vehicle without a driver's license. Bail was set at $365.

--Joseph Naquin, 50, Houma, was arrested at 5:41 p.m. Monday by the Narcotics Section on a Jefferson Davis Parish warrant alleging possession of stolen property and on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant alleging possession of Xanax, possession of methylphendate/hydrocholoride, possession with intent to distribute a legend drug, proper equipment required on vehicle, and switched or stolen license plate.

Bail has not been set.

Morgan City

Interim Police Chief Mark E. Griffin Jr. reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 40 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Mikel R. Clark, 66, Susan Court, Morgan City was arrested at 6:20 a.m. Monday on a charge of driving while intoxicated (second offense) and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

--Nakeisa Walker, 43, Orange Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:35 a.m. Monday on a charge of failure to appear fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Sanna Ayub Khan, 33, Halsey Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5 p.m. Monday on charges of failure to appear fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court) and probation violation (6th Ward Morgan City Court).