Woman accused of exploiting elderly victim

Staff Report
A Gray woman has been accused of posing as a contractor and stealing an elderly Assumption resident’s checkbook, helping herself to the victim’s bank account, Sheriff Leland Falcon said Thursday.
—Valley M. Quiroz, 42, Champion Drive, Gray, was arrested Tuesday on charges of exploitation of the infirm, bank fraud, felony identity theft and misdemeanor theft.
On March 21, deputies responded to a complaint from an elderly parish resident who indicated that an unknown female suspect had represented herself to be from a contracting company and as such, would provide a home remodeling estimate.
Once inside the home, the suspect stole the victim’s checkbook, then wrote and cashed those checks at businesses in surrounding parishes, using the identity of a deceased person.
Shortly after the incident, sheriff’s detectives circulated photographs of the suspect via social media and shortly thereafter, the public responded by swiftly identifying the suspect.
Based on that response and the ensuing investigation, warrants were obtained for the arrest of Quiroz was arrested, and was set at $30,000.
Falcon also reported these arrests:
—Kyle Anthony Melancon was arrested Tuesday on charges of stalking-crime of violence and violation of a protective order.
On March 22, deputies responded to a complaint in which the victim reported that the suspect, Melancon, had been following her repeatedly and provided video evidence of such.
It was also noted that at the time of the incidents in question, Melancon was under the rule of a protective order filed earlier by the victim.
Based on the evidence provided, deputies filed arrest warrants against Melancon. He was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center with a bond set at $10,000.
— Carla Johnson, 33, La. 1, Labadieville, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of domestic abuse-aggravated assault.
Deputies were dispatched to Assumption Community Hospital after a staff member reported that a male subject was being treated for a battery.
Responding deputies interviewed the victim who stated a former domestic partner and the mother of his child had assaulted him during an argument at the La. 1 address. The victim indicated that Johnson had smashed a beer bottle in his face, causing a laceration and a broken nose.
Deputies went to the location where the incident occurred and spoke to several witnesses and located evidence indicating a crime of violence had occurred.
The suspect had already left the area. Deputies applied for and were granted warrants for Johnson’s arrest.
Johnson was arrested on Tuesday and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center. Johnson posted a $5,000 bond.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported this arrest:
—Destiny Stefenon Pharr, 20, North Bayou Black Drive, Gibson, was arrested at 7:33 p.m. Wednesday on charges of first-offense possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Officers were called to the area of Sixth Street and Freret Street for a disturbance. They came into contact with Pharr. She was found to be in possession of suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
She was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported these arrests:
—Carl Wayne Allen Jr., 28, Deforest Brown Lane, Franklin, was arrested at 6:38 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear. Allen was released on a judicial release.
—Juvenile mMale, 15, Patterson, was arrested at 9:58 p.m. Wednesdayas an ungovernable juvenile and a charge of unlawful sale/purchase/possession of tobacco-person under 18. The boy was released to a guardian.