Police: Suspect charged with DWI, careless operation

Staff Report

A 45-year-old man was charged with DWI in Morgan City after an officer saw him driving a vehicle in a careless manner on La. 182, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Jonathan Christopher Dunn, 45, of Fischer Lane in Ponchatoula, was arrested at 10:57 p.m. Wednesday on charges of careless operation and DWI.

An officer observed a vehicle on La. 182 being driven in a careless manner and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Dunn. During the traffic stop, the officer suspected impairment. Dunn performed poorly on a field sobriety test, Blair said.

Once at the police department, Dunn refused to give a breath sample, Blair said. A search warrant was issued for the collection of Dunn’s blood. Dunn was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 49 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Tussin Harrison, 38, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:48 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of simple battery.

Officers responded to the area of Kentucky and Sixth streets in reference to a disturbance. Officers arrived and were advised by the victim that Harrison had committed a battery on the victim. Officers observed signs of battery on the victim, Blair said. Harrison was jailed.

—Joynique Phillips, 22, of Apple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:39 p.m. Wednesday on warrants charging her with criminal trespassing and simple battery. Officers came into contact with Phillips on Apple Street. Police had a warrant for her arrest. She was jailed.

—Eddie Brown, 46, of Joseph Street in Siracusa, was arrested at 9:18 p.m. Wednesday on charges of speeding, driving under suspension and warrants charging him with three counts of failure to appear in court.

An officer conducted a traffic stop for speeding and identified the driver as Brown, who had a suspended driver’s license, Blair said. Brown also had outstanding warrants for city court and the 16th Judicial District Court. He was jailed.

—Lisa Ann Willis, 52, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:41 p.m. Wednesday on charges of disturbing the peace and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Officers were called to a residence on La. 182 in reference to a disturbance. Upon officers’ arrival, Willis was identified as the person causing the disturbance. Willis was in possession of suspected drug paraphernalia, Blair said. She was jailed.

—Brandi Durkins, 26, of Allison Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:07 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging her with contempt of court.

Officers came into contact with Durkins at a motel on La. 182. Durkins had a city court warrant for her arrest. She was jailed.

—Jerald Wayne Francois, 28, of Everett Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:25 a.m. Thursday on warrants charging him with two counts of failure to appear in court.

Francois was located at St. Mary Parish jail and transported to the Morgan City Police Department on city court warrants. He was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that deputies responded to 43 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests relating to the area:

—Amy Lyn Benoit, 29, of Moffett Court in Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 10:50 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging her with failure to appear for possession of Xanax, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Benoit was located at parish jail on the warrant. No bail was set.

—Jerald Wayne Francois, 28, of St. Clair Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:29 p.m. Wednesday on Morgan City police warrants charging him with failure to appear for simple battery and failure to appear for theft.

A deputy was dispatched to a business in Patterson in reference to a disturbance. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with Francois. A background check on Francois revealed he had two active warrants from the Morgan City Police Department. He was jailed with bail set at $1,405.

—Tyler Anthony Palmature, 21, of Universe Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:01 a.m. Thursday on charges of bicycle equipment required for night operation, possession of Xanax and a warrant for failure to appear for operating a vehicle while intoxicated first offense.

Deputies were traveling on Saturn Road from Pluto Street in Bayou Vista when they observed two subjects on bicycles in the middle of Saturn Road. The deputies did not observe any lights on the bicycles, Smith said.

Deputies made contact with a subject, identified as Palmature. While speaking with Palmature, he appeared nervous, the sheriff said. Deputies asked Palmature if he had any illegal narcotics on him, which he responded he did not. A background check on Palmature revealed the above-mentioned warrant.

While placing Palmature under arrest, deputies found a Xanax pill on him, Smith said. Palmature was jailed with no bail set.

Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported no arrests.

Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported no arrests.