UPDATED WITH SMPSO ARRESTS: Morgan City police make three drunk-driving arrests

(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 reported three drunk-driving arrests in less than six hours Monday, while the St. Mary Sheriff's Office Narcotics Section reported four arrests on drug possession charges.

Morgan City

Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 46 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

—Melissa Autin, 56, Belanger Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:47 p.m. Monday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense) and possession of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.

—Layne Michael Arnaud, 26, Todd Street, Berwick, was arrested at 6 p.m. Monday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

—Kim Michelle Stelly, 45, La. 70, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:01 p.m. Monday on charges of driving while intoxicated (second offense) and speeding 70 mph in a 50 mph zone.

—Joseph Young, 52, Railroad Avenue, Patterson, was arrested at 6:44 p.m. Monday on 16th Judicial District Court warrants alleging failure to appear for arraignment and failure to appear for trial.

—Theodore Martell Harris, 35, Rodeo Circle, Farmerville, was arrested at 9:45 p.m. Monday on a charge of theft (under $1,000) and a warrant alleging theft (under $1,000).

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 28 complaints and made these arrests:

--Jose Blanco-Echeverria, 27, Baton Rouge, was arrested at 4:39 p.m. Monday on charges of reckless operation (no accident) and driver must be licensed. Echeverria was released on a summons to appear July 19.

--Marcus Theon Gray, 37, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:28 p.m. Monday on a charge of theft of a motor vehicle. Gray was released on a $3,000 bond.

--Laquisha M. Davis, 32, Franklin, was arrested by the Narcotics Section at 7:01 p.m. Monday on charges of window tint, improper lane usage, flight from an officer, no seat and no driver's license.

Bail was set at $3,500.

--Dea'zhone Baker, 27, Franklin, was arrested by the Narcotics Section at 7:01 p.m. Monday on a charge of possession of MDMA and on two warrants alleging failure to appear on the charges of purse snatching; operating a vehicle while licensed is suspended, revoked or canceled; and improper turn or failure to give required signal. Bail has not been set.

--Credrick Alexander, 40, Jeanerette, was arrested by the Narcotics Section at 9:14 p.m. Monday on charges of improper lane usage, possession of marijuana, possession of crack cocaine, possession of Lortab, possession of alprazolam and possession of a firearm in the presence of controlled dangerous substance.

Bail was set at $15,000.

--Tarik Terrell Rouchon, 21, Baldwin, was arrested by the Narcotics Section at at 9:44 p.m. Monday on charges of improper lane usage, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, general speed law, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bail was set at $20,000

--Robert Johnson Jr., 34, Patterson, was arrested by the Narcotics Section at 5:46 p.m. Monday charges of improper lane usage, window tint, no driver's license on person and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Bail was set at $20,000.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

—Joey Anthony Choplin Jr., 42, La. 1000, Belle Rose, was arrested Sunday charges of improper lane usage, prohibited acts (Schedule III), possession of Valium and possession of Vivanse.

The charges resulted from a traffic stop Sunday near Amelia.

Deputies observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation and initiated a stop of that vehicle La. 182 near Amelia.

The deputy made contact with the driver, Choplin, Jr., and engaged into an interview.

At the conclusion of the interview, the deputy thought additional investigation was warranted and requested consent to search the vehicle, which the suspect granted.

During that process, deputies located several controlled dangerous substances.

Choplin Jr. was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center. He remains incarcerated pending a bond hearing.