Police: Suspect caught carrying gun at Lake End Park

A 32-year-old man was arrested on multiple charges after Morgan City police responded to a report of a person carrying a gun at Lake End Park, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Zachary Edwards Duplantis, 32, of Jean Ellen Avenue in Houma, was arrested at 3:16 p.m. Sunday on charges of illegal carrying of a weapon, possession of methamphetamine, obstruction of justice, possession of Xanax, possession of Suboxone, possession of drug paraphernalia, monetary instrument abuse and warrants from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Officers were called to Lak End Park in reference to a suspicious person walking around carrying a firearm. Responding officers located and later identified the person as Duplantis. He attempted to hide from officers in a nearby restroom and had the firearm concealed under his shirt, Blair said.

Police made contact with Duplantis and found him in possession of methamphetamine, Xanax, Suboxone and drug paraphernalia. Officers also located seven $100 counterfeit bills in his possession, Blair said.

Duplantis attempted to destroy some of the methamphetamine that was in his possession, Blair said. A warrant check revealed the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office had warrants for his arrest. He was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 118 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Aaron Alexander Cage, 28, of Brashear Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:07 a.m. Friday on a charge of domestic abuse-pregnant victim and a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant charging him with theft of a motor vehicle.

On Friday, officers were dispatched to a Brashear Avenue home for a disturbance. Officers arrived and spoke to the victim of a domestic battery. Officers learned the victim was living with Cage along with three of their small children. The victim also advised she was currently pregnant with Cages child.

The victim informed officers there was a disagreement between the two of them at which time Cage committed a battery on her and left the home. Cage later met with the investigating officer at the police department.

A warrant check revealed he was wanted by Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office for theft of a motor vehicle. At the conclusion of the interview, Cage was arrested and jailed.

—Ciara Vaughtasha Williams, 30, of Third Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:20 p.m. Friday on warrants charging her with three counts of failure to appear to pay a fine, seven counts of contempt of court for failure to appear for trial, eight counts of failure to appear for trial and one count of failure to appear for arraignment.

Officers were dispatched to La. 182 business in reference to a shoplifter. Officers learned from the complainant that Williams was in the business concealing merchandise in her purse had left walking.

Officers located Williams walking a short distance from the business. During the officer’s investigation, the officer located stolen items from the business concealed in her purse, Blair said. A warrant check revealed city court had 19 outstanding warrants for her arrest. She was jailed.

—Keith Singleton, 50, of Eleventh Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10 p.m. Friday on charges of no license plate light, no driver’s license and possession of synthetic of marijuana-2 to 28 grams.

A patrol officer observed a vehicle traveling on La. 182 with a nonfunctioning license plate light and tail light. The officer conducted a traffic stop on La. 182 and identified the driver as Singleton. A computer check revealed Singleton did not possess a valid driver’s license.

During the traffic stop, officers located suspected synthetic marijuana in his possession, Blair said. He was jailed.

—Dedrick J Gant Sr., 33, of Live Oak Street in Patterson, was arrested at 3:49 a.m. Saturday on charges of possession of MDMA-2 to 28 grams, resisting an officer and battery on an officer.

Officers conducted a traffic stop on La. 182 for a traffic violation. Gant was identified as a passenger in the vehicle. During the traffic stop officers located several suspected MDMA pills in Gant’s possession. Officer attempted to arrest Grant at with time he began to pull away and struck a second officer, Blair said.

Gant fled on foot but was later captured by pursuing officers hiding under a home. He was jailed.

—Elnora R. Vallery, 64, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:13 p.m. Saturday on a charge of aggravated assault on a dating partner.

Officers were dispatched to an Egle Street home in reference to an intoxicated woman armed with a knife. Upon officers arriving, they were informed by the complaintant that he and Vallery were in a dating relationship.

Police were advised Vallary was highly intoxicated and began threatening the complainant with a knife, Smith said. Officers were advised Vallery through the knife on the kitchen floor with police arrived. Vallery was arrested and jailed.

—Kendra Ann Dupre, 32, of East 73rd Street in Cut Off, was arrest at 3:53 p.m. Sunday on charges of possession of marijuana first offense, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle.

Officers investigating a complaint of illegal narcotic activity at Lake End Park came into contact with Dupre. Investigating officers found suspected marijuana and paraphernalia in her possession, Blair said.

Police also observed an open alcoholic container in the passenger seat of a vehicle in which she was traveling, Blair said. She was jailed.

—Gerardo Santiago-Garcia, 37, of Chennault Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:04 p.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.

Officers were dispatched to a Chennault Street home to a disturbance. Upon officers arriving they were advised by the complainant, Santiago-Garcia, came to the home highly intoxicated causing a disturbance, Blair said. He was jailed.

—Chad Evans Gros, 44, of Stephensville Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:52 p.m. Sunday on charges of no headlights, suspended driver’s license and a 16th Judicial District Court warrant charging him with failure to appear.

An officer observed a vehicle traveling on La. 182 with no headlights. Officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Gros. A computer check revealed Gros license was under suspension and 16th Judicial District Court had a warrant for his arrest. He was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported responding to 110 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests relating to the area:

—Russell Thomas, 37, of Carmen Street in Patterson, was arrested at 4:41 p.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with possession of PCP with intent to distribute.

Detectives located Thomas at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center already incarcerated on other charges. Bail was set at $10,000.

—Heather Babineaux Guillory, 39, of Aristole Road in Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 9:30 a.m. Friday on a warrant charging her with failure to appear in court. Guillory turned herself in at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office on the warrant. Guillory was jailed with bail set at $3,000.

—A male juvenile, 16, was arrested at 6:13 p.m. Friday on charges of domestic abuse battery and simple battery of the infirm.

A deputy was dispatched to a home in reference to a domestic abuse battery. Upon arrival, the deputy spoke to the complainant and witnesses about the incident. After further investigation, the male juvenile was arrested. No further details are available at this time.

—Joshua Joseph Pojar, 37, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:15 a.m. Friday on a warrant from Morgan City Police Department for failure to appear on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated first offense.

A deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver identified as Pojar. A background check on Pojar revealed he had a warrant for his arrest. Pojar was jailed with no bail set.

—Lavontre Jerome Johnson, 20, of La. 182 in Berwick, was arrested at 10:52 p.m. Saturday on charges of no license plate light, driver must be licensed and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

A deputy was patrolling the area of La. 182 in Berwick when he observed a vehicle traveling with no operable license plate light. The deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the driver identified as Johnson.

When the deputy asked for his driver’s license, he stated he didn’t have one, Smith said. The deputy noticed Johnson to be nervous. While being questioned about any illegal narcotics being inside the vehicle, the deputy could smell a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle, the sheriff said.

The deputy conducted a search of the vehicle and located a handgun, Smith said. Johnson was jailed with bail set at $11,000.

—Drouis John Fanguy Jr., 59, of South Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 11:10 p.m. Saturday on a charge of criminal trespass.

A deputy was dispatched to a disturbance in the 1200 block of South Road in Bayou Vista. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the complainant who advised that Fanguy came to her home causing a disturbance. The deputy spoke with Fanguy who admitted to trespassing on her property, the sheriff said. Fanguy was issued a summons to appear in court July 29.

—A male juvenile, 17, was arrested at 2:44 a.m. Sunday on charges of reckless operation, driver must be licensed, open container and expired license plate.

—Rigoberto De Frainez, 18, of Henderson Highway in Henderson, was arrested at 3:46 a.m. Sunday on a charge of open container.

Deputies were advised of a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed in the area of U.S. 90 West in Bayou Vista. When deputies located the vehicle, they observed the vehicle lose control and swerve from the left lane to the right shoulder then back across the left lane, Smith said.

Deputies conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, identified as the male juvenile, and a passenger inside the vehicle, identified as De Frainez. The male juvenile was not able to provide a driver’s license. Several open alcoholic bottles were found inside the vehicle, Smith said.

Deputies also notice the license plate on the vehicle was expired. De Frainez was issued a summons to appear in court July 29. The male juvenile was released to a guardian pending juvenile court action.

Berwick Police David Leonard Sr. reported the following arrest:

—Kevin Exnicious, 61, of John Street in Berwick, was arrested at 8:29 p.m. Friday on a charge of domestic abuse aggravated assault. No bail was set.

Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported the following arrests:

—David Joseph Elliott Jr., 42, of Franklin Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5 p.m. Friday on charges of general speed law violation, suspended driver’s license and simple battery involving domestic violence. No bail was set yet.

—Jerry Lee Favors, 54, of Gabriel Street in Patterson, was arrested at 8:14 p.m. Friday on charges of remaining after being forbidden, theft by shoplifting and theft less than $500. Favors was jailed on $1,008 cash bail.

—Christina Lavern Hornsby, 40, of First Street in Patterson, was arrested at 10:21 p.m. Sunday on a charge of criminal mischief. Bail was set at $500.