Local agencies report major drug, burglary arrests

(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.)

Police in all three East St. Mary municipalities reported major arrests.

Two, in Morgan City and Patterson, involved possession of methamphetamine and marijuana in distribution quantities.

The third, in Berwick, resulted in charges of burglary against three people in a January incident.

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

•Branshekia Shantell Harris, 38, Patterson, was arrested Monday on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a person under 17, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone and introduction of contraband into a penal institution.

Harris was also named in two St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrants.

Harris was transported to the Patterson Police Department. No bond has been set.

•Richard Jones III, 44, Patterson, was arrested Monday on charges of possession of a legend drug without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia.

During the early morning hours Monday, officers with the Patterson Police Department, with the assistance of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, executed a narcotics search warrant at a residence in Patterson.

During the course of the execution of the search warrant, officers located and seized illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia.

•Melisssa M. Ratcliff, 37, Henry Street, Patterson, was arrested at 7:19 a.m. Friday on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and criminal trespass. Ratcliff was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $4,000.

•Daniel A. Aucoin, 58, Cleveland Street, Patterson, was arrested at 6:51 p.m. Saturday on charges of switched license plates and driver’s license suspended or revoked; on a failure to appear warrant for the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office on charges of failure to obey traffic devices; windshield or window view; and operating a vehicle while license is suspended, revoked, or canceled. Aucoin is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $694 on the Patterson charges. No bond
was set on the St. Mary charges.

•Cherrelle M. Short, 39, Stadium Drive, Houma, was arrested at 12:48 a.m. Monday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, resisting an officer (refusal to give name or identification) and bicycles front lamps, side and rear reflectors. Short is incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.

Berwick
Chief JP Henry reported these arrests:

•Brennan Carline, 35, Berwick, was arrested at 2:41 p.m. Friday on a charge of simple burglary.

•Brennan Tabor, 38, Berwick, was arrested at 2:41 p.m. Friday on charges of simple burglary and illegal possession of stolen things (over $1,000).

•Alexis Meyers, 34, Patterson, was arrested at 2:41 p.m. Friday on a charge of simple burglary.

In January, the Berwick Police Department began investigating a burglary/theft from a local business.

It was reported that large amounts of copper had been stolen from the property along with various marine vessel equipment.

Through the course of the investigation, evidence developed Tabor and Carline as suspects.

On Monday, investigators obtained and executed a search warrant at Carline's residence, where Tabor was known to be living as well.

Detectives located a large amount of stolen items from the complaint, as well as items stolen from other investigations in the area.

Contact was made with Meyers at the residence along with Tabor and Carline.

Further evidence was obtained linking them to the burglary. All were arrested and transported to the Berwick Police Department.

The investigation continues, and the Police Department said more arrests are likely.

Morgan City
Chief Chad M. Adams reported these arrests:

•Joey Jermaine Francois, 45, Aucoin Street, Morgan City, was arrested Feb. 16 on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, operating a vehicle with a suspended license, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (over 28 grams), possession with intent to distribute marijuana, transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses, violation of a drug-free zone, possession of fentanyl, possession of Phentermine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a
legend drug.

Francois was also named in warrant alleging seven counts of failure to appear to pay fines (6th Ward Morgan City Court). And he was named in a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant.

On the morning of Feb. 16, detectives with the Morgan City Police Department’s Narcotics Division conducted a traffic stop involving Francois. During the course of the investigation, detectives also executed a narcotics search warrant at Francois’
residence located on Aucoin Street in Morgan City.

During the traffic stop and execution of the search warrant, detectives located and seized suspected illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, U.S. currency believed to be proceeds from narcotics transactions and a firearm.

Francois was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for processing and later booked into the Morgan City Jail.

“The Morgan City Police Department remains committed to aggressively investigating narcotics-related offenses and removing illegal drugs and firearms from our community,” the Police Department said.

•Joshua Lewis, 40, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:47 p.m. Friday on charges of improper lane usage and failure to appear for trial.

•Eric Harvey, 41, Adams Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:35 p.m. Friday as a fugitive from the St. Mary and Assumption sheriff’s offices and on charges of failure to appear for trial and failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

•Shawn Guidry, 48, Yonkers Drive, Lafayette, was arrested at 9:30 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm by a person with a domestic violence conviction.

•Sabrina Allen, 34, Yonkers Drive, Lafayette, was arrested at 9:30 p.m. Friday on charges of obstruction of justice and illegally supplying a felon with a firearm.

•Lenny Dartez, 78, Victor II Boulevard, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:22 a.m. Saturday on charges of improper lane usage and driving while intoxicated.

•Gregory Theriot, East Oak Haven, Gonzales, was arrested at 3:10 p.m. Saturday on a charge of issuing worthless checks.

•Jeffrey Reiger, 59, Glenwood Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:13 p.m. Saturday on a charge of failure to appear to pay fines.

•Zacolby Granger, 34, Leona Street, Morgan City, was arrested 11:13 p.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana, obstruction of justice, speeding and driving under suspension, and as a fugitive from the St. Mary Paris Sheriff’s Office.

•Ander Sarmeinto, 30, Cottonwood Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:06 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated, open container, no driver’s license and no tail lamps.

•Tammy Franklin, 59, Byron Avenue, Baton Rouge, was arrested at 5:28 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, possession of Adderall, possession of Percocet and possession of alprazolam.

•Amber Stratton, 31, 79 Pines Lane, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:46 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia.

•Alexis Williams, 30, La. 317, Franklin, was arrested at 7:25 p.m. Thursday on two counts of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

•Tamoz Allen, 30, Trevino Street, Berwick, was arrested Thursday on a charge of possession of marijuana.

•Jamerie Gash, 23, Apple Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:59 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and introduction of contraband into a jail, and as a fugitive from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.

•Colby Nicholas, 26, Wren Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:06 a.m. Friday on charges of failure to appear for arraignment and seven counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

•Toi Pradia, 38, Mississippi Street, Franklin, was arrested at 4:59 a.m. Feb. 18 on charges of disturbing the peace (intoxicated) and obstructing public passage.

•Toi Pradia, 38, Mississippi Street, Franklin, was arrested at 4:44 p.m. Feb. 18 on a charge of disturbing the peace.

•Kenneth Rollins, 36, Diane Street, Patterson, was arrested at 11:37 p.m. Feb. 18 on a charge of possession of synthetic cannabinoids.

St. Mary
Sheriff Gary Driskell reported these arrests:

•Christina G. Williams, 36, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:11 p.m. Saturday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of careless operation of a motor vehicle. Williams was released on a $2,500 bond.

•Justin Cyril Pellerin, 34, Franklin, was arrested at 3:48 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging simple battery and resisting arrest or officer. Pellerin was released on a $3,000 bond.

•Ron Serman Singleton, 52, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:28 a.m. Feb. 18 on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft, possession of crack cocaine and no seat belt.

Bail was set at $20,000.

•Luis Miguel Lucio, 22, Houston, was arrested at 12:55 a.m. Friday on charges of speeding and driving while intoxicated. Bail was set at $2,750.

•Travis Lee Gilmore, 34, Patterson, was arrested at 2:35 a.m. Sunday on charges of disturbing the peace (intoxicated), battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest or officer. Bail was set at $8,000. 

•Kevin Jose Flores, 26, Amelia, was arrested at 10:35 p.m. Sunday for domestic abuse battery (strangulation) and domestic abuse aggravated assault-child endangerment law. Bail was set at $40,000.

•Aaron Michael Lightfoot Sr., 38, Franklin, was arrested at 5:40 p.m. Sunday on a warrant alleging filing false records and obstruction of justice (tampering). Lightfoot was released on a $1,000 bond.

•Loreal Griffin Miller, 38, Baldwin, was arrested at 11:24 p.m. Sunday on a warrant alleging simple burglary.  Bail was set at $25,000.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:

•Aidan Hebert, 18, Albert Road, Erath, was arrested Saturday on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

•Justin Joseph Vincent, 38, Albert Road, Erath, was cited for possession of marijuana and improper lane usage.

The charges resulted from a traffic stop on U.S. 90 near Amelia on Saturday afternoon.

A uniformed patrol deputy assigned to the I.C.E. detail observed an eastbound vehicle commit a traffic violation and executed a stop of that vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Vincent, and engaged him in an interview.

The deputy then interviewed two passengers, one of whom was Hebert.

At the conclusion of those interviews, the deputy believed additional investigation was warranted. The deputy requested and was granted consent to search the vehicle.

During the search, the deputy seized marijuana that was attributed to Vincent. As the search continued, an additional amount of marijuana was seized along with assorted drug paraphernalia, which was attributed to Hebert.

Vincent was issued a summons and released.

Hebert was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center with bond set at $45,000.