Weekend arrests involve heroin, meth, legend drug

(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.)

Drug possession cases kept area police agencies busy over the weekend, with crack cocaine arrests in Morgan City, methamphetamine arrests in Berwick and Assumption Parish, and arrests by St. Mary Parish deputies on warrants involving heroin, a legend drug and THC oil charges.
Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 116 calls for service within the last 72-hour reporting period and made these arrests beginning Friday:
—David Lenes Aucoin Jr., 25, Cremo Lane, Patterson, was arrested at 11:02 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer and no insurance, and on a warrant alleging failure to appear for trial.
—Devan Nicole Serpa, 36, Shady Grove, Patterson, was arrested at 11:45 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of crack cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and introduction of contraband into a penal facility.
—Cherika Marie Roberson, Greenville Street, Raceland, was arrested at 10:31 p.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana, driving under suspension and improper turning.
—Sergio Garvay, 36, Fifth Ward, Houston, arrested was arrested at 2:40 a.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace (intoxicated).
—Johnny James Vining, 50, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:11 a.m. Monday on charges of domestic abuse battery (child endangerment law), resisting an officer and disturbing the peace (fighting), and on a warrant alleging driving under suspension.
St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 72-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 116 complaints and made these arrests:
—Jeremy Earl Gamble, Jr., 23, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 5:31 p.m. Friday on warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of methamphetamine; possession of drug paraphernalia; operating a vehicle while license is suspended, revoked or canceled; and improper turn or failure to give signal.
Bail was set at $8,250.
—Roger Douglas Gibbs, 57, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:51 p.m. Friday on a charge of domestic abuse battery.
Bail was set at $2,500.
—Erinaldo Banegas, 34, Amelia, was arrested on at 1:58 a.m. Saturday on charges of driving while intoxicated, driver must be licensed and improper lane usage.
Banegas was released on a $3,000 bond.
—Danny Pepper, 52, Raceland, was arrested at 4:49 a.m. Saturday on charges of driving while intoxicated and speeding.
He was released on a summons to appear Dec. 1.
—Nelson Lacoste Jr., 44, Berwick, was arrested at 5:56 a.m. Sunday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of theft of goods, entry on or remaining in places after being forbidden, and simple criminal damage to property.
Lacoste was released on a summons to appear Dec. 1.
—Shannon Terrell Bell, 51, Houma, was arrested at 10:42 p.m. Sunday on charges of turning movements and required signals, failure to dim headlights, open container, and driving while intoxicated.
Bell was released on a $6,000 bond.
—Travis Paul Colbert, 42, Charenton, was arrested at 11:24 p.m. Sunday on a charge of possession of marijuana.
Colbert was released on a summons to appear Dec. 1.
—Deandre Demond Conley, 30, Franklin, was arrested at 12:20 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of marijuana and improper lane usage. Conley was released on a summons to appear Dec. 1.
—Abram Granger, 22, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:02 p.m. Friday by the Narcotics Section on two warrants alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. Bail has been set at $50,000.
—Rakesha Granger, 44, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:47 p.m. Friday by the Narcotics Section on charges of general speed law and possession of THC oil.
Granger was released on a summons to appear Dec. 1.
—Mandi Nicole Hatfield, 34, Morgan City, was arrested at 6:17 p.m. Friday by the Narcotics Section on a warrant alleging sale, distribution, or possession of a legend drug without prescription; possession of marijuana; and possession of drug paraphernalia. No bail has been set.
—Gary James Johnson, 47, Morgan City, was arrested at 6:17 p.m. Friday by the Narcotics Section on three warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, distribution of heroin, two counts of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and parole violation.
No bail has been set.
Berwick
Police Chief David Leonard reported that the Berwick Police Department responded to 45 calls for service within the last 72 hours and made these arrests:
—Christopher Celestin, 30, Percy Avenue, Houma, was arrested at 7:10 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance laws (drug-free zone).
At 7 p.m. Sunday, officers received a complaint about a reckless driver on La. 182. A description of the car and the license plate was provided, and it was located parked at the Berwick Civic Center, which was currently being used a as disaster shelter for Hurricane Ida.
Officers came into contact with Celestin inside the car and noted a very strong odor of marijuana. A search of the car was conducted, and officers located a bag of methamphetamine. The location of the incident was within 2,000 feet of three schools and a church, which are all posted as drug-free zones.
Celestin was placed under arrest and booked into the Berwick Jail, where he remains with no bond set.
—Bryan M. Crochet, 48, Third Street, Berwick, was arrested at 9:23 p.m. Sunday on a charge of domestic abuse battery (child endangerment law).
—Tina M. Ware, 39, Third Street, Berwick, was arrested at 11:14 p.m. Sunday on a charge of domestic abuse battery (child
At 8:50 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to a residence on Third Street in reference to a domestic disturbance in progress. Officers arrived at the residence and met Ware, and another officer met with Crochet at the Police Department.
Through interviews, as well as evidence at the scene, officers were able to determine that a verbal argument between Crochet and Ware escalated into a physical altercation. Officers learned that both individuals committed a battery upon each other during the incident, and three juveniles were present in the home during the incident.
Following an investigation, they were both placed under arrest and booked into the Berwick Jail, where they remain with no bond set.
Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported theses arrests:
—Nicole Lynn Gros, 41, Maryann Street, Pierre Part, was arrested Saturday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, driving under a suspended license and no license plate.
A uniformed patrol deputy observed a vehicle in the Pierre Part area with a licensing violation and executed a stop of the vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Gros. The subject’s driver’s license was determined to be suspended.
During the interview, the investigating officer noted Gros appeared very nervous. At the conclusion of the interview, the deputy requested and was granted permission to search the vehicle. As a result of the search, a quantity of suspected methamphetamine was seized.
Gros was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
—Robert Sternfels, 29, La. 1, Belle Rose, was arrested Saturday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of alprazolam (Xanax) and disturbing the peace (appearing in public in an intoxicated condition).
Deputies were dispatched to an La. 1 location and made contact with Sternfels, who was creating a disturbance.
Deputies detained Sternfels and conducted a pat-down search for weapons. During that process, quantities of suspected methamphetamine, amphetamines and alprazolam (Xanax) were seized.
Sternfels was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
St. Martin
Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:
—Lason Edmond, 20, Orphe Guidry Road, Arnaudville, was arrested Saturday on an extradition warrant.
—Nicholas Robin, 26, Grand Anse Highway, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Saturday on a charge of aggravated assault with a firearm.
—Tiffany Fontenot, 32, Grand Anse Highway, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Friday on a charge of contempt of court.
—Danielle Hebert, 36, Papit Guidry, St. Martinville, was arrested Friday on a charge of contempt of court.
—Brooke Mathis, 32, Rue Mir Beau Street, Lafayette, was arrested Friday on a charge of contempt of court.
—Gage Patin, 30, Nursery Highway, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Friday on a charge of contempt of court.
—Sarah Richard, 32, Grandpoint Highway, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Friday on a charge of contempt of court.
—Swanette Robertson, 39, Corrine Street, New Iberia, was arrested Friday by the St. Martinville Police Department on charges of accessory after the fact to third-degree rape; extortion; contributing the delinquency of juveniles; criminal conspiracy; resisting an office; and' misrepresentation during booking, and on warrants alleging failure to appear.