UPDATED WITH SMPSO ARRESTS: Berwick man booked on assault, gun charges in domestic case

(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.)

Berwick police say they arrested a man accused of battery against a juvenile and aggravated assault with a firearm in a domestic violence case.

Berwick

Police Chief David Leonard reported these arrests:

—Kevin G. Dontay, 37, Sixth Street, Berwick, was arrested at 11:59 p.m. Thursday on a Berwick warrant alleging aggravated assault with a firearm (domestic), domestic abuse battery (child endangerment law), possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of battery of a dating partner, and resisting an officer.

At 11:59 p.m. Thursday, officers traveled to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center and took Dontay into custody on the outstanding Berwick PD warrants. The warrants stem from an investigation dated Monday, in which Dontay committed a battery on a juvenile at a residence on Sixth Street.

During the incident, Dontay armed himself with a firearm and another occupant of the home was able to wrestle the gun away from him. Dontay is a convicted felon and has a separate conviction of battery of a dating partner, both of which prohibit him from possessing a firearm.

Once the police were called, Dontay fled the residence upon seeing law enforcement. He was unable to be located that day, and warrants were obtained for his arrest. On Thursday, officers received information that Dontay was at a boat landing in Patterson.

Officers with the Berwick Police Department and the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office located him at the boat landing and took him into custody without incident. Dontay was processed at the Berwick Police Department and is incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center, where he remains with no bond set.

—Betinna L. Duval, 47, Chestnut Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:37a.m. Friday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Friday, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle on La. 182, and Duval was identified as a passenger. Through-out the course of the stop, Duval was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was placed under arrest and released on a summons to appear in court.

Franklin

Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to nine complaints over the past 24 hours and made these arrests:

—Shawn Jenkins, 45, Morris Street, Franklin, was arrested on at 9:34 a.m. Thursday on a warrant dated May 21 alleging disturbing the peace (intoxication), resisting an officer with force or violence and battery on a police officer. Jenkins was booked, processed and released on a $2,000 bond.

—Jardyn McCoy, 21, Iberia Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:26 p.m. Thursday on a warrant dated Thursday alleging operating a vehicle while license is suspended. McCoy was additionally arrested on the charges of expired license plate and operating a vehicle while license is suspended. McCoy was booked, processed and released on a $2,500 bond.

—Harry Nerve, 67, Talbot Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:56 a.m. Friday on 16th Judicial District Court warrants alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a vehicle while license is suspended, operating a vehicle without a left mirror, operating a vehicle while license is suspended and operating a vehicle with improper tail lights. Nerve was booked, processed and held with no bond set at time of press release.

—Kayla Smith, 28, Sixth St., Franklin, was arrested at 2:52 a.m. Friday on charges of no insurance, careless operation of a motor vehicle, driver must be licensed, flight from an officer, and misuse of temporary plates.

Smith was additionally arrested on a warrant for Jeanerette City Court on charges of failure to appear on the charges of speeding, exceeding maximum speed limit and no driver’s license. Smith was booked, processed and held with no bond set at time of press release.

St Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 32 complaints and made these arrests:

--Dwayne Robertson, 29, Franklin, was arrested at 1:12 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging aggravated battery and illegal use of weapons. Robertson also held a warrant alleging failure to appear for driving under suspension and proper equipment required. Bail was set at $50,000.

--Jamie Lynn Jett, 38, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:59 p.m. Thursday on a charge of driving while intoxicated. Jett was released on a $2,500 fine.

--Ron Vallian, 39, Jeanerette, was arrested at 8:33 p.m. Thursday by the Narcotics Section on a charge of possession of MDMA, possession of methamphetamine and no turn signal. Vallian was released on a $3,000 bond.

--Ronald Barrow, 68, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:10 p.m. Thursday by the Narcotics Section on a charge of possession of crack cocaine. Bail was set at $2,500.