Two women arrested on drug charges, tried to sell 'something' to juvenile, sheriff says

(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.)

Two women face drug charges after a parent reported that they tried to sell something, possibly drugs, to her daughter, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 44 complaints and made these arrests:
—Melissa Jean Baldwin, 44, Marrero, was arrested at 7:35 p.m. Monday on charges of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice (tampering) and introduction of contraband into a penal institution.
Baldwin was also named in a warrant alleging failure to appear through the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.
—Margaret Mary Guidroz, 42, Patterson, was arrested at 7:35 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of methamphetamines, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of Schedule IV drugs and possession of marijuana.
Guidroz also was named in a warrant alleging failure to appear in Lafourche Parish.
A deputy was dispatched to a business in Bayou Vista and made contact with a complainant, who stated that two female subjects attempted to sell something, possibly drugs, to her juvenile daughter.
The deputy located one of the women, identified as Guidroz, in the parking lot and made contact with her. Through the investigation, drugs and drug paraphernalia were located in her possession. Dispatch advised that Guidroz also held an active warrant in Lafourche Parish.
The deputy learned that the other woman, identified, as Baldwin, was also in the parking lot. An assisting deputy arrived and made contact with Baldwin. As the investigation continued, the deputies learned that Baldwin held active warrants, and drugs were found in her possession.
Guidroz and Baldwin were transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail has been set.
—Cherie Ann Welch, 28, Baldwin, was arrested at 6:55 a.m. Monday on charges of general speed law, improper backing, and resisting a police officer with force. Bail was set at $3,250.
—Cody Fryou, 31, Patterson, was arrested at 10:37 p.m. Monday on two warrants alleging failure to appear on the charges unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, simple criminal damage to property and possession of drug paraphernalia. No bail has been set.
—Corey Thomas Tarver, 44, Patterson, was arrested at 11:28 a.m. Monday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of possession of marijuana. No bail has been set.
—Ronald Wayne Johnson, 30, Patterson, was arrested at 7:20 p.m. Monday on a charge of battery of a correctional officer. Johnson continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
—Cedric Benjamin Gant, 24, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:33 p.m. Monday on two warrants alleging failure to appear on the charge of violation of a protection order. Gant was released on a $11,000 bond.
—Nathaniel P. Valen, 40, Jeanerette, was arrested at 1:22 a.m. Tuesday on charges of no insurance and driving under suspension. Valen was released on a summons to appear Jan. 4.

Berwick
Police Chief David Leonard reported these arrests:
—Wanya Francis, 26, Live Oak Street, Patterson, was arrested at 12:08 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of marijuana (under 14 grams) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
About 11:50 a.m. Monday, the Berwick Police Department responded to a local business for a disturbance call. Officers met with Francis, who was identified as being one of the parties involved.
During the course of the investigation, officers detected an odor of marijuana coming from Francis’ vehicle. A search of the vehicle was done, at which time a small amount of marijuana and items of drug paraphernalia were located inside.
Francis admitted that the marijuana and paraphernalia belonged to him. Francis was placed under arrest. Francis was released on a summons to appear in court in January 2022.
—Hope Cubbedge, 42, Carter Lane, Berwick, was arrested at 7:04 p.m. Monday on a warrant alleging theft.
About 7:04 p.m. Monday, Cubbedge walked into the Berwick Police Department for an unrelated matter. During this time it was learned that Cubbedge had active warrants through the Berwick Police Department.
Cubbedge was advised of the warrant and was placed under arrest.
The warrant stems from a complaint the Berwick Police Department handled Sept. 5, in which Cubbedge and several others were involved in a spree of shoplifting from a local business.
Cubbedge was released on a summons to appear in court in November 2021.
—Juan Lopez, 42, Arlington Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:52 p.m. Monday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), open container, no driver’s license and improper lane usage.
About 11:13 p.m. Monday, an officer observed a vehicle traveling up the La. 182 bridge on the wrong side of the roadway. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle, and contact was made with Lopez.
Lopez was advised for the reason of the stop, and officers immediately detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath and person. A computer check showed that Lopez did not have a driver’s license.
Lopez was asked to perform field sobriety tests, which he agreed to do and performed poorly on. A search of his vehicle was conducted at which time several open alcoholic containers were located inside.
Lopez was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he provided a valid breath sample of .267G% BAC. Lopez was booked.

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly said the Franklin Police Department responded to 12 complaints over the past 24 hours and made this arrest:
—Benjamin Picard, 27, Eves Street, Jeanerette, was arrested at 12:33 p.m. Monday, on a war-rant dated Friday for violation of protective order, remaining where forbidden (two counts), telephone harassment and criminal mischief.
Picard was booked, processed and released on a $3,100 bond.