Woman charged with dog fighting, cruelty to animals

A 41-year-old woman has been charged with dog fighting and cruelty to animals after Morgan City police found several pit bulls in poor condition at a home in early December, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Keishia L. Howard, 41, of Mount Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:21 p.m. Tuesday on charges of dog fighting, three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and vicious dogs or animals prohibited.

Howard was located and arrested in the area of Mount Street on warrants. The warrants stem from a Dec. 2 investigation when officers discovered several pit bulls at a home on Mount Street belonging to Howard.

The animals were found to be in poor condition without proper shelter, Blair said. Police found evidence that the animals had injuries consistent with dog fighting and were not being properly cared for with adequate food and water, Blair said.

The investigation continued and the dogs were seized and removed from the home. Howard was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 44 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Kaleb W. Smith, 17, of Maple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:08 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging him with six counts of simple burglary.

Smith was located and arrested in the area of Maple Street on active warrants for the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office. Smith was jailed.

—Breunna Fitch, 23, of Hilda Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging her with criminal mischief.

Patrol officers responded to the area of Hilda Street in regard to a Dec. 9 disturbance. Officers arrived and spoke with Fitch who made an allegation that a person had pointed a weapon at her, Blair said.

Investigators learned that the information that Fitch provided was false, Blair said. Fitch was located by Berwick police at a business at which time she was arrested and transported to the Morgan City jail.

—Javien J. Francis, 20, of Oregon Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:51 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging him with failure to comply with conditions of drug court.

Francis was located and arrested in the area of La. 182 on an active arrest warrant for the 16th Judicial District Court. Francis was jailed.

—David L. Lumpkin, 46, of St. Francis Street in Houma, was arrested at 2:19 a.m. Wednesday on a fugitive warrant for the Thibodaux Police Department.

Patrol officers conducted a stop on a vehicle in which Lumpkin was the operator in the area of La. 182. Lumpkin was found to have an active arrest warrant through the Thibodaux Police Department. Lumpkin was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported that deputies responded to 29 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Tammy Vining, 49, of Saturn Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 7:39 p.m. Tuesday on charges of stop sign violation, child passenger restraint system required and possession of marijuana.

—Cierra Vining, 24, of Hunting Road in Ricohoc, was arrested at 7:39 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor and obstruction of justice.

—Lawrence Levine, 28, of Beau Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:32 p.m. Tuesday on charges of marijuana over 14 grams with intent to distribute, distribution of marijuana, possession of methylenedioxymethamphetamine - MDMA with intent to distribute, possession of cyclobenzaprine without a prescription, possession of methyl carbonyl without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor.

—Dakota Kleimann, 25, of Beau Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:32 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana over 14 grams with intent to distribute, distribution of marijuana, possession of methylenedioxymethamphetamine - MDMA with intent to distribute and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor.

Narcotics detectives patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle fail to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Saturn and Universe roads. Detectives then observed the vehicle drive through a business parking lot to access the U.S. 90 J-turn. Detectives conducted a traffic stop.

When they approached the vehicle, detectives observed the passenger, Cierra Vining, reaching down by the passenger side door as if to conceal an item, Hebert said.

Detectives located a bag of marijuana in the door. Detectives also observed a toddler in the truck who was not seated in a child safety seat. While speaking with Cierra Vining and Tammy Vining, detectives learned that the marijuana belonged to both of them and Cierra Vining had attempted to conceal it from detectives, Hebert said.

The traffic stop investigation led narcotics detectives to a home on Beau Lane where they conducted a search warrant. Detectives found marijuana, individually packaged MDMA pills, other pills, and items associated with illegal drug sales and use, Hebert said. Detectives also found additional evidence that Levine and Kleimann were selling illicit drugs from the home, the sheriff said. All four suspects were jailed with no bail set.

—Arne Brewer, 51, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 1 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

A narcotics detective patrolling Morgan City observed Brewer driving on Victor II Boulevard. The detective knew Brewer had an active warrant for arrest and stopped the vehicle. The detective also found that Brewer’s driver’s license was suspended. Brewer was jailed with no bail set.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.