Third arrest in Pierre Part check-cashing scheme

A third person has been arrested in what authorities say was a fraudulent check-cashing scheme in the Pierre Part area, Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon said.
—Tricia Lynn Cortez, 32, Jon Michelle, Zachary, was arrested Wednesday on charges of forgery, bank fraud, monetary instrument abuse and theft under $1,000 and on a fugitive warrant from St. Helena Parish.
On Aug. 5, detectives commenced an investigation into counterfeit checks being cashed at a Pierre Part retail outlet.
Detectives determined that a number of checks drawn on local businesses had been illegally produced and cashed as payroll checks at the business.
Through a lengthy investigative process, a number of suspects were identified, including Cortez.
Cortez was located this week and found to be incarcerated in the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail on similar charges.
On Wednesday, Cortez was transported to Assumption Parish and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center and booked with a bond set at $31,000.
Last week the following suspects were arrested in connection with the scheme:
—Garrett Hopwood, 26, Brittney Renee, Zachary.
—Anthony Vega, 36, Tannehill Lane, Walker
Warrants remain outstanding on:
—Alvin Johnson, 36, Oakmount Drive, Baton Rouge.
—Sarah White, 34, Seven Pines, Baton Rouge.
All face felony charges.
Falcon also reported these arrests:
—Jawuan Mitchell, 21, La. 943 South, Donaldsonville, was arrested Thursday on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm.
On a June 25, a shooting was reported at a Plattenville business.
On that date, deputies were dispatched to the establishment.
During the investigation process, detectives were able to recover evidence linking Mitchell to the crime, along with one other suspect.
Following the investigation, detectives were able to identify the second suspect as well, Trayon I. Boatner, 26, La. 1, Labadieville.
Boatner was arrested July 8 on felony charges related to the incident.
On Thursday morning, Mitchell turned himself into detectives and was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center, where he remains pending a bond hearing.
As a result of the June 25 shooting, Mitchell did received gunshot wounds and has since recovered.
—Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon announced his is dispatching deputies to the Calcasieu Parish-southwest Louisiana hurricane-stricken areas to assist in any way possible to address the law-enforcement needs in those areas.
“Our law-enforcement partners in Southwest Louisiana have been hard hit by the effects following hurricane Laura. The devastation has strained their resources and as such, I have ordered a contingent of deputies to the area to help the residents and public services in any way possible. We are pleased to be able to assist the region in their time of tragedy,” Falcon said.
There is no immediate timeline as to how long the deputies will be in Calcasieu Parish.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported this arrest:
—Lonnie Gold, 23, 1 Robertson Street, New Iberia, was arrested at 10:37 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Gold was released on a summons to appear Dec. 11.