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Bank fraud, cocaine charges result from Bayou L'Ourse-area arrests

Mon, 11/06/2023 - 2:07pm

Staff Report

(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.)

Assumption deputies reported two recent arrests on charges of financial fraud and possession with intent to distribute cocaine in the Bayou L'Ourse area.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:

--Heather Lynn Guillory, 43, Lemon Tree Lane, Gulf Shores, Alabama, was booked Friday in Assumption Parish on three counts each of bank fraud, identity theft, access device fraud and illegal transfer of monetary funds.

On Oct. 5. deputies were dispatched to an Aristle Road address in reference to fraudulent activity involving the complainant’s business account. An investigation determined that

Guillory had accessed the bank account without authorization and withdrew funds or paid financial obligations of her own with the funds.

At the conclusion of the investigation, deputies filed arrest warrants for Guillory. Shortly after the series of illegal transactions, Guillory fled the jurisdiction and established residence in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

On Oct. 31, Guillory was arrested by the Gulf Shores Police Department on the Assumption Parish warrants.

Guillory waived extradition and was transported to Assumption Parish on Friday and booked into the Parish Detention Center with bond set a $60,000.

--Sheree Fournet Leal, 49, Willow Drive, Gretna, was arrested Thursday on charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, resisting an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, turning movements and required signals, and failure to drive on the right side of the road.

The felony drug charges arise from a traffic stop early Thursday morning on U.S. 90 near Bayou L’Ourse.

A uniformed patrol deputy assigned to the I.C.E. Unit observed a westbound vehicle commit multiple traffic violations and initiated a stop of that vehicle. The deputy engaged Leal in an interview.

During the interview, the deputy noted signs consistent with illegal activity and, at some point, attempted to detain Leal. This individual put up some resistance but was eventually detained.

During a protective pat down search, deputies seized a quantity of suspected cocaine.

Leal was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center with bond set at $26,000.

–Blake Suzonne Morris, 31, Blakesley Street, Franklin, was arrested Thursday on a charge of possession of Klonopin.

The charge results from a traffic stop on U.S. 90 near Bayou L’Ourse.

A uniformed patrol deputy observed a westbound vehicle with an equipment violation and initiated a stop of that vehicle. The deputy made contact with the driver, as well as one passenger identified as Morris.

The deputy interviewed both occupants and concluded that additional investigation was warranted. A K-9 conducted an open-air sniff of the suspect vehicle, which produced a positive alert for a controlled dangerous substance.

During a subsequent vehicle search, a quantity of the Schedule IV drug Klonopin was seized and attributed to Morris.

Morris and booked her into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

--Robert J. Gros, 54, Sixth Street, Morgan City, was arrested on fugitive warrants from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office and the Morgan City Police Department.

The arrest followed a traffic stop on La. 182 in Bayou L’Ourse.

A uniformed patrol deputy observed a vehicle with equipment violations and initiated a stop of that vehicle.

The deputy made contact with the occupants of the vehicle, one of whom was identified as Gros. During a warrants check, deputies determined that Gros was wanted on multiple
fugitive warrants by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Morgan City Police Department.

Gros was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending transfer to the other identified jurisdictions.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 144 calls for service over the last 96-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Cheyenne Harley Monique Aucoin, 29, Main Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:15 p.m. Thursday on a charge of failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Russell John Blanchard Jr., 36, Beadle Street, Amelia, was arrested at 1:48 p.m. Friday on two counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Charles Elmore, 47, Canine Court, Gibson, was arrested at 4:31 p.m. Friday on a charge of failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan Court).

--Robert Philip Liss, 43, Nelms Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia, was arrested at 11:15 p.m. Friday on a charge of simple burglary.

--Randy Lee Hatcher, 44, Aucoin Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:59 a.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace.

--Louis Alton Bourque, 37, Roderick Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:28 p.m. Sunday on a
charge of interfering with child custody.

--Clayton J. Norrell, 49, Opelousas Street, Lake Charles, was arrested at 7:11 a.m. Thursday on charges of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court) and resisting an officer.

--Eddie Tyrone Mayfield, 38, Fifth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

--Jonathan Paul Myers, 30, Roderick Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:55 p.m. Thursday on two counts of failure to appear for drug court (16th Judicial District Court).

--Passion Monae Harris, 27, Bowman Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:41 p.m. Thursday on a charge of contempt of court (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 121 complaints over the last 96-hour reporting period and and made these arrests:

--Juan C. Diaz-Garnica, 30, Amelia, was arrested at 6:53 p.m. Monday on an Ohio warrant alleging failure to appear. Diaz-Garnica is being held for another agency.

--Christopher Joseph Adams Jr., 43, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:35 p.m. Nov. 1 on a warrant alleging failure to appear. Adams was released on a $3,000 bond.

Frank Joseph Keller Jr., 36, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3:33 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging domestic abuse battery (strangulation) and domestic abuse (child endangerment law). Bail has not been set at this time.

--Jorge Antonio Hernandez, 26, Amelia, was arrested at 11:37 p.m. Thursday on charges of domestic abuse (strangulation) and domestic abuse (child endangerment law). Bail has not been set at this time.

--Hilton Jerome Jack Jr., 26, Jeanerette, was arrested at 1:55 p.m. Saturday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of improper lane usage, improper driving in the left lane of a multi-laned highway, and operating a vehicle while license is suspended, revoked, or canceled. Bail was set at $500.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 19 complaints over the weekend and made these arrests:

--Derrick Turner, 43, Cypremort Road, Franklin, was arrested at 12:17 p.m. on a charge of simple battery. Turner was booked, processed and released to appear in 3rd Ward City Court.

--Michelle Brown, 51, Eighth Street, Franklin, at 7:49 a.m.Saturday on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court alleging failure to appear on a charge of simple criminal damage to property.

Brown was booked, processed and released to appear in 3rd Ward City Court.

--Shane Segura, 51, Clay Street, Franklin, was arrested at 12:04 p.m. Saturday on a charge of theft. Segura was booked, processed and released on a $1,500 bond.

--Travion White, 21, Commercial Street, Franklin, was arrested at 8:06 p.m. Saturday on a warrant for the Lake Charles Police Department alleging armed robbery (use of firearm). White was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of press release.

--Charles Boudreaux, 58, La. 182, Franklin, was arrested at 12:38 a.m. Monday on a warrant for Jeanerette City Court alleging failure to appear on charges of speeding and careless operation. Boudreaux was booked, processed and transported to the Jeanerette Police Department.

Morgan City police radio logs for Nov. 3-5

Mon, 11/06/2023 - 10:11am

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the Police Department at 985-380-4605.
Friday, Nov. 3
7:57 a.m. 2400 block of Tiger Drive; Disturbance.
8:14 a.m. 600 block of Fifth Street; Disturbance.
9:24 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
12:56 p.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Medical.
1:24 p.m. Marguerite Street; Complaint.
1:48 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
2:09 p.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Alarm.
4:21 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Arrest.
4:35 p.m. 3000 block of Allison Street; Theft.
4:36 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Stalled vehicle.
4:41 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Removal of subject.
5:15 p.m. 500 block of Sixth Street; Juvenile complaint.
5:38 p.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Alarm.
6:25 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
6:54 p.m. 800 block of Ninth Street; Suspicious person.
9:47 p.m. Front Street; Fire.
10:12 p.m. Fig/Cypress streets; Suspicious person.
10:26 p.m. 500 block of Orange Street; Subject removal.
11:07 p.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Patrol request.
11:36 p.m. 7500 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
11:41 p.m. 300 block of Bowman Street; Medical.
3:24 a.m. 1000 block of Greenwood Street; DWI.
3:50 a.m. 500 block of Front Street; Suspicious person.
Saturday, Nov. 4
7:11 a.m. 100 block of Glenwood Street; Alarm.
1:44 p.m. 500 block of Fourth Street; Removal of subject.
3:45 p.m. Greenwood/Fourth streets; Crash.
4:12 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
5:02 p.m. 600 block of Terrebonne Street; Juvenile complaint.
5:18 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Complaint.
6:30 p.m. Glenwood/Aycock streets; Loud music.
6:30 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Traffic incident.
7:02 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Removal of subject.
7:44 p.m. 600 block of General MacArthur Street; Complaint.
7:56 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Suspicious subject.
8:10 p.m. 6600 block of La. 182; Complaint.
8:12 p.m. 700 block of David Drive; Medical.
9:01 p.m. 800 block of Youngs Road; Complaint.
9:26 p.m. Railroad Avenue; Stalled vehicle.
10:24 p.m. 2600 block of Elm Street; Frequent patrols.
11:09 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Complaint.
Sunday, Nov. 5
12:25 a.m. 6000 block of La. 182; Suspicious subject.
1:04 a.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Disturbance.
1:16 a.m. Sixth/Palm streets; Disturbance.
3:36 a.m. Justa/Catherine streets; Suspicious subject.
4:04 a.m. 1000 block of Third Street; Disturbance.

Nov. 8 St. Mary Parish Council agenda

Mon, 11/06/2023 - 7:38am

Click on the link below to download a .pdf version of the agenda.

Five St. Mary teams in prep football playoffs

Sun, 11/05/2023 - 12:46pm

Five St. Mary prep football teams will be in action in the bi-district round of the state playoffs Thursday-Saturday.

Central Catholic and Patterson will represent east St. Mary, joining Hanson Memorial, Franklin and Centerville in the postseason.

Morgan City in Non-Select Division II and Berwick and West St. Mary in Non-Select Division III finished below the top 28 power rankings needed to qualify for the postseason.

Playing in the Nov. 9-11 bi-district round;

--Central Catholic, 7-3, has the 10th seed in Select Division IV and will host Hamilton Christian of Lake Charles in the bi-district round. Hamilton Christian has the 23 seed and is 4-6.

The winner will advance to the regional round against St. Frederick, which has the seventh seed and a bye with a 6-3 record.

--Patterson, 3-6, will play at North Webster. Patterson is the 19th seed, and North Webster, 6-4, is seeded 14th.

The winner will advance to play third-seeded St. James, 8-2, which has a bye in the bi-district round.

--Franklin, 5-5, is seeded 16th in Non-Select Division IV and will host No. 17 Grand Lake, 6-4.

The winner will face top-seeded Logansport, 9-1.

--Hanson Memorial, 7-3, has the 15th seed in Select Division IV and will host 5-5 St. John, the 18th seed. The winner will play Southern Lab, which has a bye with the second seed.

--Centerville, 6-4, is ranked 22nd in Non-Select Division IV and will play No. 11 Oberlin in the bi-district round. The winner advances to play either Mangham, 5-4, No. 6, or Lakeview, 3-7, No. 27.

Berwick, 2-8, saw its playoff hopes disappear with a 28-26 loss to Patterson on Thursday. The Panthers were ranked No. 31 in Non-Select Division III power rankings.

Morgan City High, 3-6, was ranked 31st in Non-Select Division II.

In Non-Select Division IV, West St. Mary, 1-9, was ranked No. 41.

In other games of local interest:

--Longtime east St. Mary coach Tommy Minton's Vandebilt team, ranked 13th with a 5-4 record, will host 5-5 Frederick A. Douglass in Select Division II.

--Vermilion Catholic, Central Catholic's arch rival, is the top seed in Select Division IV and has a first-round bye.

--Jeanerette is 8-2 and ranked fifth in Non-Select Division IV. Its opponent in the bi-district round will be West St. John, 2-8 and seeded 28th.

Non-Select Division IV

Non-Select Division III

Select Division IV

Nicholls beats UIW, remains unbeaten in Southland

Sun, 11/05/2023 - 9:38am

Nicholls State Sports Information

Running backs Collin Guggenheim and Jaylon Spears combined for 313 yards rushing and the Colonel defense came away with three turnovers to lift the Nicholls State University football team to a 45-32 victory at No. 8/4 UIW Saturday at Benson Stadium.

With the win, Nicholls (4-4) is the lone unbeaten team in the Southland Conference standings and sets up a big Senior Day matchup next Saturday at home against one-loss Lamar. A win by Nicholls would clinch at least a share of the regular season title and secure the Southland's auto bid for the FCS playoffs.

UIW (7-2) suffered its first league loss and saw its 15-game home winning streak come to an end. The victory for the Colonels was also the first top-five win since 2005 against Texas State.

Guggenheim and Spears carried the ball 23 times each as Nicholls dominated the time of possession with 37-plus minutes. Spears rushed for a career-high 160 yards, his second 100-yard game of the season, while Guggenheim found the end zone four times en route to 153 yards.

Guggenheim's final rushing score gave Nicholls a commanding 45-19 lead early in the fourth quarter before UIW scored two unanswered touchdowns. The Cardinals threatened to make it a one-possession game in the final minutes, but safety Devonte' Mathews picked off a Zach Calzada pass to seal the victory.

Mathews had two of the defense's three turnovers, scoring on a fumble early in the third quarter. With Nicholls up 24-13 at the break, Mathews scooped up the fumble and raced 58 yards for the Colonels' second defensive touchdown of the season.

Quinton Sharkey, who had the previous pick-6 against McNeese, notched the other turnover with an interception in the second quarter that sparked three consecutive touchdowns by the offense. Nicholls fell behind 10-3 before Sharkey's third pick of the season, making way for a 19-yard strike from Pat McQuaide to tight end Lee Negrotto to even the score at 10-all.

The Colonels then took the lead after running the ball eight times out of 10 plays, scoring on a Guggenheim 5-yard rush. Following UIW's second straight punt, David Robinson Jr. made another highlight catch for 34 yards, and Guggenheim finished the drive with a 6-yard touchdown rush. UIW kicked a field goal to make the halftime score, 24-13.

The scoop-and-score gave Nicholls a 31-13 advantage and Guggenheim followed with a 43-yard touchdown rush up the middle for a 38-13 Colonel lead. UIW answered with a TD pass to Caleb Champman to close out the scoring in the period.

Facing a 3rd-and-14 to start the fourth, Nicholls handed the ball off to Spears and he ran for 19 yards. Two plays later, Guggenheim barreled in from three yards out for his second four touchdown game of the season.

UIW made it interesting with two touchdown passes in the span of two minutes, taking advantage of a Guggenheim fumble. But a five-minute drive, helped by another long run on third down by Spears, kept UIW's offense off the field until Nicholls punted with four minutes remaining.

Sharkey led the defense with nine tackles to go along with his interception, and Ethan Lee added eight stops. Jacob Parker had the lone sack for the unit.

For the specialists, Gavin Lasseigne booted a 23-yard field goal and converted all six PATs. Kylan Dupre punted four times with three inside the 20.

Nicholls wraps up its regular season home slate with Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 11 against Lamar. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at NichollsTickets.com.

Friday prep football scores

Sat, 11/04/2023 - 9:18am

Central Catholic 37, Highland Baptist 7

Catholic-New-Iberia 42, West St. Mary 6

Franklin 44, Ascension Episcopal 41

Jeanerette 36, St. John 2

Vermilion Catholic 43, Hanson Memorial 14

Vandebilt at South Lafourche, canceled

E.D. White 27, St. James 19

Lutcher 49, Ellender 0

Assumption 42, South Terrebonne 13

Thursday scores

Patterson 28, Berwick 26

Centerville 36, Covenant Christian 23

Two accused of child trafficking, producing child porn

Fri, 11/03/2023 - 4:23pm

Two people arrested Thursday after a search of a Bayou Vista home are accused of trafficking children and producing pornography involving juveniles, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office said.

Madison Herrington, 20, and Ty Adam White, 20, both with Morgan City addresses, were arrested at 6:53 p.m. Thursday.

Herrington was booked on charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile, indecent behavior with a juvenile, 10 counts of production of pornography involving juveniles, trafficking of children for sexual purposes and a Lafayette Parish warrant alleging trafficking of children for sexual purposes.

White was booked on charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile, indecent behavior with a juvenile, 12 counts of production of pornography involving juveniles and trafficing of children for sexual purposes..

The Sheriff's Office described the effort as a long-term investigation by the SMPSO, the Morgan City Police Department and the Lafayette Police Department.

St. Mary and Morgan City detectives executed a search warrant at a home in Bayou Vista. As the investigation progressed, the detectives made contact with Herrington and White.

After interviews with multiple subjects, Herrington and White were transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking.

Sheriff's Office detectives thanked Morgan City and Lafayette detectives for their assistance and said the investigation continues.

Patterson Garden Club attends District 3 meeting

Fri, 11/03/2023 - 9:03am

Patterson Garden Club members attended the Louisiana Garden Club Federation District 3 meeting Oct. 24 hosted by the New Iberia Garden Club at the Event Center in New Iberia. Theme of the event was “A Taste of Iberia Parish.”
Patterson Garden Club Members attending were President Ginger Griffin, Iris Roy, Linda Thomas, Evelyn Estay, Sharon Larson and Donna Bates-Ruffin.
During the meeting, three Patterson Garden Club members were recognized with Life Memberships to the Louisiana Garden Club Federation. The are Estay, Thomas and Roy.

Did you know?

Fri, 11/03/2023 - 9:00am

Estimates from the Department of Veterans Affairs indicate that there were around 19 million veterans in the United States in 2021.
Veterans Day, observed each year on Nov. 11, honors all those who served honorably in the U.S. military during both wartime and peacetime. Data from the VA indicates that, as of 2016, Gulf War veterans account for the largest share of all U.S. veterans. Roughly 7.8 million veterans served during the Gulf War.
Vietnam veterans also make up a sizable percentage of U.S. military veterans, as VA estimates indicate there were approximately 5.9 million veterans who fought in the Vietnam War in 2021.
Though veterans need not have served in wartime in order to be recognized and honored on Veterans Day, the vast majority of U.S. veterans served during wartime. According to the VA, 78% of veterans in 2021 had served during wartime.

Young adult weighs difficult decision

Fri, 11/03/2023 - 8:58am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: I’m 24 and not where I want to be in life. I have goals and dreams I would like to accomplish. However, my family is super family-oriented. I work for my dad in a family business. He always talks business with me.
I do not want to go into the family business. I have my reasons, one being his side of the family works there and we don’t get along. They’ve never accepted my mom so, therefore, they don’t accept me. The other reason is I’m not interested in the business.
My problem is, this is the best I’ve ever gotten along with my dad. I’m worried he will want nothing to do with me if I quit. On the other hand, my mom has always been supportive. I worry that if I moved away, we wouldn’t be so close.
I just feel like if I go after my goals and dreams, it will ruin my relationship with my family.
What do you think?
EYE ON THE FUTURE

DEAR EYE ON: You are no longer a child. You are an adult who is overdue for a serious talk with your father about those goals and dreams of yours, as well as the treatment you have received from his side of the family.
Write your thoughts down before approaching the subject with him. If your father loves you, as I am sure he does, he will want you to be happy as well as successful.
If you can’t find the courage to approach this on your own, consider enlisting the help of a licensed mental health professional to help you create some emotional separation.
Wanting independence is not a rejection of your father, nor would gaining it guarantee you would no longer be as close to your mom.

DEAR ABBY: I have hard feelings for my oldest son. A few years back, I was diagnosed with cancer and needed radiation treatments. The hospital is in my son’s hometown, so I asked him if I could sit in their living room between my two treatments a day for six days. He said he would talk to his wife about it.
I tried to call him the day before my treatments started, but he wouldn’t answer his phone. I had to sit in my car in the cold of winter for six hours between treatments.
I can’t seem to get past this. I don’t bring it up to him, but I resent him and his wife for letting me down in my time of need.
How can I get over this and let the resentment go?
SAD IN THE MIDWEST

DEAR SAD: Are you and your son and daughter-in-law communicating now? Have they ever explained why they acted the way they did? Did you and your daughter-in-law have some kind of falling out before your diagnosis?
That you were left sitting in a car between cancer treatments on cold winter days seems unconscionable.
That you also “can’t get over it” seems rational to me. This may be something you should discuss with your religious adviser, if you have one.
Should you need medical assistance in the future, I hope you have found other resources, because if you reach out in your son’s direction, all you should expect is more silence.
***
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.