Police: Man admits to being high on heroin

A 31-year-old Morgan City man allegedly admitted to being under the influence of heroin when city police responded to a medical emergency on Railroad Avenue, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Jeremiah J. Wiltz, 31, of Fourth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:45 p.m. Sunday on warrants charging him with possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, DWI-child endangerment law and illegal use of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of juveniles.

Patrol officers responded to the area of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City in regard to a medical emergency. Officers arrived when Wiltz was identified and in medical distress, Blair said. Wiltz was observed pulling into a business in that area and exited the vehicle when he collapsed. Officers administered lifesaving techniques until Wiltz was transported to Teche Regional Medical Center by Acadian Ambulance, Blair said.

Wiltz was found to be in possession of suspected marijuana and methamphetamine. There were also three young children in the vehicle when this incident had taken place. Wiltz was also in an intoxicated state, Blair said.

Wiltz allegedly admitted to being under the influence of heroin. A search warrant was secured to take blood analysis from Wiltz which is pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. Wiltz was released due to receiving medical treatment and warrants were prepared for his arrest. Wiltz was located and arrested in the area La. 70. Wiltz was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 112 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Krystal N. Tolento, 30, of Second Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:57 a.m. Saturday on warrants charging her with bank fraud, theft less than $1,000 and four counts of failure to appear to pay a fine.

Tolento was located and arrested at the police department on warrants. The police warrants stem from a June 21 investigation when officers responded to a business in the area of La. 182 in regard to a theft. Tolento was identified as one of the parties involved. Tolento allegedly forged documents to take funds in the amount of $250. The investigation continued when warrants were prepared for Tolento’s arrest. Tolento was jailed.

—Betty Metrejean, 53, of South Bay Road in Pierre Part, was arrested at 11:09 p.m. Saturday on a charge of theft less than $1,000 and a warrant charging her with failure to appear for arraignment.

Patrol officers responded to the area of La. 70 in regard to a shoplifter. Officers arrived when Metrejean was identified. Metrejean took items from the establishment in the amount of $33.61 without paying for them. Metrejean was also found to hold an active arrest warrant through the 16th Judicial District Court. Metrejean was jailed.

—Devante’ Frank, 26, of Bush Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:52 p.m. Sunday on warrants charging him with seven counts of failure to appear to pay a fine, failure to appear to pay a probation fee, and failure to appear for trial in 16th Judicial District Court.

Frank was located and arrested in the area of Bowman Street on warrants. Frank was jailed.

—William G. Easterling Jr., 30, of Lebanon Road in Laurel, Mississippi, was arrested at 10:55 p.m. Sunday on charges of DWI first offense, disregard of traffic controls and improper lane usage.

Patrol officers observed a vehicle being operated in the area of La. 182 disregard a red light. The vehicle was also observed being operated in an erratic manner, swerving from lane to lane. A stop was initiated when Easterling was identified as the driver.

Easterling was in an intoxicated state. Easterling refused to submit to a field sobriety test and a chemical test, Blair said. A search warrant was secured for Easterling’s blood analysis which is pending at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. Easterling was jailed.

—Shantell Hartdegen, 35, of La. 20 in Schriever, was arrested at 12:31 a.m. Monday on a 16th Judicial District Court warrant charging her with failure to appear for arraignment and on warrants charging her with failure to appear to pay a probation fee and failure to appear to pay a fine.

Hartdegen was located and arrested in the area of La. 70 on warrants. Hartdegen was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported that deputies responded to 99 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests:

—Bettina Duval, 43, of Lake Palourde Road in Amelia, was arrested at 12:04 p.m. Friday on a charge of possession of marijuana.

—Lawrence Welch Jr., 57, of Lake Palourde Road in Amelia, was arrested at 12:04 p.m. Friday on a charge of possession of marijuana.

A deputy patrolling Amelia responded to a home on Lake Palourde Road to stand by during an eviction. The deputy made contact with Welch and Duval at the home. Upon entering the home, the deputy could smell a strong odor of burnt marijuana. The deputy located two burnt marijuana cigarettes inside the home. Both Duval and Welch were released on a summons to appear in court Oct. 5.

—Solomon Falgout IV, 28, of Sebby’s Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:51 p.m. Friday on a charge of domestic abuse battery.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista responded to a disturbance on Sebby Lane. The deputy found evidence that Falgout struck the victim prior to his arrival, Anslum said. Falgout was booked into jail and then released on $2,500 bail.

—Cody White, 25, of Main Street in Patterson, was arrested at 2:32 p.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of simple criminal damage to property and a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. White was transported from the Lafayette Parish Jail to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. No bail was set.

—Krystal Tolento, 30, of Second Street in Berwick, was arrested at 10:21 p.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of aggravated assault.

A deputy patrolling the Patterson area responded to a disturbance at a home on Cremo Lane. Through the investigation, the deputy located Tolento and learned of an active warrant for her arrest. Tolento was jailed with no bail set.

—Jessica Melancon, 36, of Judy Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 10:23 a.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of theft.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista responded to a disturbance at a local business. Through the investigation, the deputy located Melancon and learned of an active warrant for her arrest. Melancon was jailed with no bail set.

—Jessica Fears, 34, of Roderick Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:39 p.m. Sunday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of criminal neglect of family.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista assisted with a traffic stop on Saturn Road. During the stop, the deputy located Fears and learned of an active warrant for her arrest. Fears was jailed with bail set at $1,872.03.

—Tremel Jones, 24, of Grizzaffi Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:44 p.m. Sunday on charges of driving under suspension and careless operation. A deputy patrolling Amelia responded to the area of Lake Palourde Road for a dirt bike complaint.

The deputy observed a dirt bike matching the given description turn around in the middle of the roadway and drive off at a high rate of speed. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with Jones. The deputy also learned that Jones was operating the dirt bike with a suspended driver’s license, Anslum said. Jones was released on a summons to appear in court Oct. 5.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported no arrests.