Sheriff: Threats made against deputies, families during Charenton incident

A 30-year-old man allegedly produced a gun and dropped a large sword while fleeing from authorities on foot and also threatened deputies and their families during an incident in Charenton, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.

—Jeremy Butler, 30, of Chitimacha Trail in Charenton, was arrested at 11:19 p.m. Monday on charges of disturbing the peace, resisting an officer, illegal carrying of weapons, public intimidation, terrorizing and a Chitimacha Tribal Police Department warrant charging him with disturbing the peace.
Deputies and narcotics detectives responded to a call for service about a man walking down the road waving a gun on Martin Luther King Road and Chitimacha Trail in Charenton.

When detectives arrived, they observed several residents outside their homes because of the suspicious person. Detectives made contact with the man. He then produced a shotgun and fled on foot, Hebert said.

A detective pursued the man on foot. The man then dropped a large sword and continued to flee, Hebert said. K-9 Buddy was deployed and apprehended the man, who was identified as Butler, Hebert said.

Detectives also located an active warrant for his arrest. During the subsequent investigation, Butler made multiple threats against the lives of the deputies and their families, the sheriff said.

Butler was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. No bail is set.

Hebert reported responding to 34 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrest in east St. Mary Parish:

—Oscar Torres-Prodencio, 33, 903 Duke Street, Morgan City, LA was arrested on October 7, 2017 at 1:03 pm on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. While booking Prodencio at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center, a correctional deputy located the active warrants for his arrest. Bail on the warrant is set for $6,728.02.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported responding to 22 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Angela Rhodes, 48, of Tupelo Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:11 a.m. Monday on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.
Patrol officers responded to a business in the area of La. 182 in regard to a narcotics complaint. Rhodes was one of the people involved. Rhodes was in possession of suspected methamphetamine, Blair said. Rhodes was jailed.

—Harmanpreet Kaur, 29, of Roderick Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Monday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Over the past several months, the narcotics division conducted an investigation into the sales of drug paraphernalia from a business.

The items being sold were allegedly being portrayed as being used in the consumption of illicit drugs, Blair said. Kaur was developed as a suspect and warrant was prepared for his arrest, Blair said. Kaur was located and arrested at the police department. She was jailed.

—Eric W. Robertson, 54, of Mallard Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:43 p.m. Monday on a charge of resisting an officer.
Patrol officers observed a person acting in a suspicious nature in the area of Mount Street, Blair said. Officers attempted to speak with the person at which time he fled on foot, the chief said.

The person, Robertson, was apprehended a short time later, Blair said. Robertson was jailed.

—Erica Pederson, 37, of Domino Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:04 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of alprazolam and buprenorphine.
Patrol officers responded to a local business in the area of Victor II Boulevard in regard to a person sleeping in a vehicle. Officers arrived, and Pederson was identified. Pederson was found to be in possession of suspected alprazolam and buprenorphine, Blair said. Pederson was jailed.

—Mike W. Stelter, 37, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:12 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging him with probation violation
Stelter was located and arrested in the area of La. 182 on a 16th Judicial Court warrant. Stelter was jailed.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.