Deputies make arrests in shooting, armed robbery

(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.)

St. Mary deputies reported arrests on armed robbery and illegal use of weapons charges in the last week.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported these arrests:

--Jermaine Lavone Spain, 41, Franklin, was arrested at 12:34 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging armed robbery, nine counts of pit bull violation, two counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Dec. 10, patrol deputies with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an armed robbery at a business in Verdunville.

Deputies learned that a suspect entered the business, brandished a firearm and stole cash before fleeing the scene.

The case was turned over to the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, where detectives continued with a follow-up investigation. During the course of the investigation, detectives spoke with multiple individuals and identified Spain as the suspect in the robbery. Investigators also learned that Spain kept several pit bull dogs at a residence in the parish.

On Jan. 22, detectives executed search warrants at a residence in Centerville and another in Verdunville. Nine dogs were seized at one of the residences.

Contact was made with Spain, who had 88 grams of marijuana, as well as THC capsules and drug paraphernalia on his person. In his interview, Spain admitted to selling drugs.

He was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail was set at $145,000 on the armed robbery and pit bull violation.

--Jose Antonio Martinez, 18, Charenton, was arrested at 1:45 a.m. Saturday on charges of illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, criminal damage to property, possession of marijuana and illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

About 6:20 p.m. Friday, patrol deputies and detectives with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of gunshots fired in the Sorrell area.

Deputies learned that an individual had been transported to a local hospital with gunshot wounds.

As the investigation continued, detectives made contact at the hospital with a 21-year-old male who was being treated for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. Detectives also interviewed an 18-year-old male, identified as Martinez, who transported the victim to the hospital in a personal vehicle.

Following the interview and the collection of evidence related to his alleged involvement, Martinez was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking.

This investigation remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Detectives remind the public that information regarding this incident can be reported by sending crime tips through the SMPSO website at https://www.stmaryso.com/crime-tip.

--Terance Cordale Mobley, 42, Youngsville, was arrested at 12:08 p.m. Jan. 21 on charges of driving on right side of road, general speed law, aggravated obstruction of highway, aggravated flight from officer, obstruction of justice (tampering), littering, resisting arrest or officer, criminal trespass, driving under suspension, no insurance, driving on roadway laned for traffic, turning movements and signals required, stops signs and yield signs, and maximum speed limit.

Bail has not been set at this time.

--Robert Paul Stansbury Jr., 42, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:58 p.m. Jan. 21 on a charge of violation of protective orders. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Johnathan D. Gray, 19, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:39 a.m. Friday on a charge of simple battery. Gray was released on a $500 bond.

--Lucas Daniel Landry, 25, Berwick, was arrested at 4:20 p.m. Jan. 21 on a charge of restraining order violation. Landry was released on a $1,500 bond.

--Michelle Hayes, 47, Jeanerette, was arrested at 5:40 p.m. Jan. 20 on a warrant alleging failure to appear for criminal neglect of family. Bail was set at $500.

--Tommy R. Killingsworth, 54, Centerville, was arrested at 2:55 p.m. Jan. 20 on a charge of aggravated domestic abuse battery. Bail has not been set at this time.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported these arrests:

--Cody Paul Pearce, 37, Third Street, Berwick, was arrested at 8:03 p.m. Sunday as a fugitive from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office reported that shortly before midnight Saturday, deputies and Marine Patrol deputies with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance at a camp. Two men were arrested and transported by boat to Wilson’s Landing.

While transitioning custody, one of the men, identified as Pearce, 37, fled from deputies on foot.

Pierce was wanted on a warrant alleging theft, five counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, battery of a police officer, resisting arrest with force or violence, and simple escape.

--Joey Anthony Choplin, 46, Terrace Highways, Broussard, was arrested at 2:25 p.m. Friday on a charge of failure to appear to pay fines and restitution (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Ke'mone Jamal Darby, 18, Apple Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:42 p.m. Friday on a charge of second-degree battery.

--Gavyn Phillip Spiese, 30, Walker Road, Pitkin, was arrested at 2:01 a.m. Saturday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), reckless operation of a motor vehicle and improper lane usage.

--Brian Bennett Kent, 59, Chennault Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:04 p.m. Saturday on a charge of violation of a protective order.

--Derrick Lynn Turner, 48, Front Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:03 p.m. Saturday on a charge of driving under suspension.

--Ismael Merida, 32, Agnes Street, Houma, was arrested at 1:25 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense,) general speed law and no driver’s license.

--Daniel Jimenez-Maldanado, 60, Ditch Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:37 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), driving under suspension and improper lane usage.

--Spencer Tracy Robin, 50, First Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:53 p.m. Sunday on a charge of stalking and as a fugitive from the Berwick Police Department.

--Renaldo Andre Francis, 44, La. 182, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:29 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and improper lighting, and as a fugitive from the Patterson Police Department.

--Haven Katherine Wiggins, 25, Sacred Heart Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:57 a.m. Friday on charges of disturbing the peace and resisting an officer.

--Joey William Goulette, 40, Winter Street, Plaquemine, was arrested 9:57 a.m. Jan. 21 on charges of driving while intoxicated and careless operation.

--Blaine Joseph Sylvester, 22, Maxine Drive, Baton Rouge, was arrested at 12:09 p.m. Jan. 20 on three counts of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and three counts of computer tampering.

--Jonette Lange, 46, Second Street, Morgan City, was arrested 12:36 a.m. Jan. 21 on charges of failure to appear for arraignment, failure to appear for probation review and failure to appear for revocation hearing (16th Judicial District Court).

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported this arrest:

--Renaldo Francis, 41, West Congress Street, Lafayette, was arrested at 10:31 p.m. Sunday on a failure to appear warrant on charges of driver’s license suspended or revoked and speeding 11-15 mph speed zone. Francis is incarcerated at the
Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $964.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Hardy reported these arrests:

--August Gloskey, III, 66, Second Street, Franklin, was arrested at 2:15 p.m. Friday on charges of obscenity and four counts of resisting an officer with force. Gloskey was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

--Juvenile was arrested at 9:36 p.m. Friday on charges of illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile and disturbing the peace.

--Steve Randle, 55, Ninth Street, Franklin, was arrested at 2:46 p.m. Jan. 21 on a charge of violation of protective orders (second offense). Randle was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

-- Amaya Simone Bougere, 21, Thomas Street, Napoleonville, was arrested Jan. 21 on a charge of cruelty to a juvenile.

The felony charge related to a child abuse investigation originating at a local health care facility Nov. 8.

Detectives responded to the complaint and learned that a 15-month-old child was being treated for bruising and leg and arm injuries. Medical personnel diagnosed the child as having a fractured ankle and a fractured arm. Investigators observed severe bruising to the child’s arm and facial area.

As a result of those injuries the child was transferred to a children’s hospital for treatment. It was further determined that the child had suffered multiple fractures including facial fractures.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services was contacted and intervened in the investigation. Medical treatment further determined that the child was malnourished.

Through investigation, detectives identified Bougere as a suspect.

As the investigation continued, detectives secured a search warrant for the child’s home located in the 100 block of Thomas Street, Paincourtville. Detectives executed that search warrant Nov. 17. As a result, detectives seized an assortment of controlled dangerous substances resulting in the arrest of Bougere and her domestic partner, Bruce Joseph Fair, Jr., 28.

Both remain jailed on those charges.

Bougere was booked Jan. 21 on the cruelty to a juvenile charge and awaits a hearing on the child abuse count.