RSS Feed

(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.)

Area law enforcement agencies reported five arrests on battery charges over the weekend and three more alleging violation of protective orders.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 95 calls for service over the last 72-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Jace Paul Lodrigue, 27, La. 663, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:04 p.m. Saturday on charges of aggravated battery, criminal damage to property and disturbing the peace.

--Sarah Duplantis Scott, 43, Walnut Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:23 p.m. Saturday on a charge of violation of a protective order.

--Jaquandre Shemar Williams, 24, Tiffany Street, Patterson, was arrested at 12:26 p.m. Friday on a charge of violation of a protective order.

--Emma Grace McCollough, 18, Victor II Boulevard, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:22 p.m. Sunday on charges of battery of a dating partner, possession of clonazepam, failure to appear to pay fine and probation violation (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Hunter Wayne Gros, 26, Dawn Drive, Morgan City, arrested at 7:45 p.m. Friday on a charge of probation violation (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Omar Alonso Rivera-Chavez, 35, Levee Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:19 p.m. Friday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and improper equipment on vehicles.

--Jonathan Jose Rodriguez-Perou, 22, Maple Street, Morgan City, was arrested 12:15 p.m. Sunday on charges of theft (under $1,000) and failure to appear to pay fines (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Carl Wayne Allen Jr., 34, Wren Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:29 p.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace (intoxicated).

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported that over the last 72-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 108 complaints and made these arrests:

--Shanquelyn Ladel Druilhet, 49, Franklin, was arrested at 12:04 a.m. Monday on charges of theft of a motor vehicle, simple battery and criminal damage to property. Bail was set at $19,000.

--Adam Michael Jones, 45, Port Allen, was arrested at 12:13 p.m. Sunday on a charge of simple battery. Bail was set at $2,000.

--Dustin Williams Macaluso, 43, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 7:24 p.m. Sunday on charges of disturbing the peace (intoxicated) and resisting arrest or officer. Macaluso was released on a $3,500 bond.

--Wynn Candler Whitehurst, 50, Patterson, was arrested at 10:52 a.m. Sunday on charges of theft, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass. Bail was set at $110,000.

--Kyle Joseph Darden, 29, Jeanerette, was arrested at 3:05 p.m. Saturday on a Franklin Police Department warrant alleging speeding. Darden was released on a $338 bond.

--Michael J. Ballard, 70, Thibodaux, was arrested at 6:49 p.m. Friday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of speeding and expired license. Ballard was released on a $313.50 bond.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

--Christopher Michael Brown, 53, Elaine Street, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested Thursday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, resisting an officer with force or violence, and battery of a police officer, and as a fugitive from St. Mary Parish.

The charges arise from a traffic incident near Aristle Road and Elaine Street on Thursday evening.

A uniformed patrol deputy assigned to the I.C.E. detail observed a vehicle stopped, impeding the normal flow of traffic and proceeded to investigate. As the deputy approached, he observed a male subject walking swiftly around the vehicle towards the driver’s door and observed another male subject, identified as Steven A. Meador, 64, Garber Lane, Morgan City, as the driver.

The deputy attempted to engage in an interview with the passenger now identified as Brown. At one point during the interview, the deputy in the interest of safety attempted to detain Brown. Brown resisted those attempts and engaged the deputy in a physical altercation. During the arrest process, Brown attempted to discard several items. Those items were recovered and included methamphetamine.

Brown was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center with bond set at $55,000.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 32 calls for service over the weekend and made this arrest:

--Brandi Mire, 47, Voltaire Avenue, New Iberia, was arrested at 6:04 p.m. Sunday on a warrant for 16th Judicial District Court alleging failure to appear on a charge of simple burglary. Mire was booked, processed and transported to the Iberia Parish
Sheriff’s Office.

(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.)

Area law enforcement agencies reported seven arrests on drug charges last week, including one for heroin possession and one for possession with intent to distribute.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported these arrests:

--Jeremy Sentel Blackburn, 47, Mayon Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:35 p.m. Jan. 28 on charges of possession of heroin, possession of synthetic marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of stolen things (over $25,000) and four counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Jeremie A. Hanks, 48, Brownell Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 6:03 p.m. Jan. 28 on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, disregard of travel controls and failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Leslie Johnson, 31, Mallard Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:19 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance (synthetic marijuana), (third offense), flight from an officer, aggravated obstruction of a highway, three counts of failure to appear for review and two counts of failure to appear to pay fine(6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Curtis Anthony Richard, 49, Glenwood Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:35 a.m. Thursday on charges of failure to appear for imposition hearing (16th Judicial District) and two counts of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Anthony John Pennison Jr., 54, La. 663, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:26 a.m. Thursday on three counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Percy Lucian Michel, 38, Cypress Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:06 a.m. Thursday on charges of theft (under $1,000) and failure to appear for arraignment (16th Judicial District Court).

--Lectoria Michelle Grogan, 37, Oregon Street, Berwick, was arrested at 7:08 p.m. on a charge of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court)

--Matthew Wayne Grizzaffi, 44, Susan Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:36 p.m. Thursday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense) and improper turning.

--Frank Johnson Jr., 59, Maine Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:53 a.m. Jan. 28 on a charge of disturbing the peace.

--Charleston Jontell Grogan, 31, Wren Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:33 p.m. Jan. 28 on a charge of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Lezlie Michelle Aucoin, 57, Second Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9 p.m. Jan. 28 on a charge of illegal possession of stolen things (over $25,000).

--Marcus Dwayne Moore, 36, Dora Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:30 a.m. Thursday on charges of driving while intoxicated (third offense), improper turning and driving under suspension.

--Abraham Issac Jacob Williams, 31, Wren Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:50 p.m. Jan. 27 on charges of disturbing the peace and criminal damage to property.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported these arrests:

--Jaylin Jane Dugas, 17, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:53 a.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone, and unlawful sale, purchase, or possession of tobacco by a person under 18. Dugas was released on a $1,500 bond.

--Jada Kern, 38, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:28 a.m. Jan.28 on a charge of domestic violence. Kern was released on a $1,000 bond.

--Marlon Roberson Jr., 20, Franklin, was arrested at 2:59 p.m. Jan. 27 on charges of illegal use of weapons or dangerous instruments, simple battery, disturbing the peace (fighting), four counts of illegal possession of stolen firearms, and theft. Bail was set at $92,000.

--Kelli Alexis Muirhead, 25, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:42 p.m. Jan. 27 on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Muirhead was released on a $1,500 bond.

--Jaquincy Davon Mouton, 32, Franklin, was arrested at 2:34 p.m. Jan. 28 on a charge of aggravated battery. Mouton continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

--Randy Clark, 39, Amelia, was arrested by the Narcotics Section at 2:40 p.m. Jan. 28 on a Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office warrant alleging simple burglary. Clark is being held for another agency.

Berwick

Chief JP Henry reported these arrests:

--Lisa Ann Fontenot, 60, Berwick, was arrested at 10:57 p.m. Jan. 28 on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, and on Berwick warrants alleging theft and criminal mischief.

About 10:57 a.m. Jan. 28, Berwick Police officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after observing Fontenot, who officers knew had an active warrant for her arrest.

During the traffic stop, Fontenot was taken into custody without incident. Officers continued their investigation and obtained consent to search the vehicle. During the search, investigators located methamphetamine inside the vehicle, which was later determined to belong to Fontenot.

As the investigation progressed, officers developed additional information that led to the execution of a search warrant at Fontenot’s residence. During the search, investigators located a small amount of methamphetamine along with items of drug paraphernalia.

Fontenot was transported to the Berwick Jail and booked on the related charges.

--Jennifer Lee Carmody, 40, Berwick, was arrested at 10:42 p.m. Jan. 27 on charges of stop signs and yield signs, expired driver's license, expired license plate, possession of oxycodone, possession of drug paraphernalia and no insurance, and on a Patterson Police Department alleging failure to

Patterson

Chief Garrett Grogan reported these arrests:

--Jennifer L. Carmody, 40, Park Street, Patterson, was arrested at 10:57 a.m. Jan. 28 on charges of failure to appear, no insurance, expired motor vehicle inspection and seat belt violation. Carmody was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $840.

--Grant M. Jumonville, 28, Bayard Street, New Iberia, was arrested at 12:51 a.m. Thursday on charges of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, headlights required and driver’s license suspended or revoked. Jumonville as incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with no bond set.

--Devin P. Legendre, 25, Mendoza Drive, Franklin, was arrested at 12:07 a.m. Friday on two failure to appear warrants alleging speeding 11-15 mph and charges of taillights required, driver’s license suspended or revoked and no insurance. Legendre was incarcerated at the Patterson PD Jail with bond set at $1,948.

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

The three men who represent St. Mary Parish in Washington are urging the Trump administration to give stronger consideration to South Louisiana’s small shipyards when defense contracts are awarded.

“These yards compete daily in fast-moving commercial markets, where success depends on rapid execution, continuous innovation, and disciplined cost control,” said a letter to Secretary Pete Hegspeth from U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins and U.S. Sens. John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy, all Republicans.

Defense projects have already become a lucrative source of work for area shipyards.

Conrad Shipyard has been building YRBM vessels for use by the Navy as floating homes for sailors whose ships are at the dock for repairs. Two new entries in local shipbuilding, Saronic and Magnet Defense, build autonomous surface vessels with defense applications.

And Bollinger, a larger shipyard with a facility in Amelia, has been a longtime supplier of fast response cutters to the Coast Guard.

Shipbuilding employment in St. Mary was just short of 800 at the end of 2024, when the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers were available.

“We write to encourage the Department of War to give deliberate and sustained consideration to small and mid-sized domestic shipyards, including those in South Louisiana, when awarding shipbuilding, repair, modernization, and sustainment contracts, as the Department works to restore America’s shipbuilding capacity and strengthen the nation’s defense industrial base,” the lawmakers wrote.

“Louisiana’s small and mid-sized shipyards already operate in a manner consistent with the Department’s stated aim to prioritize speed, innovation, and a ‘commercial-first’ mindset in defense acquisition. … That operating model enables them to adapt quickly to evolving requirements, integrate new technologies, and deliver complex vessels at pace—capabilities that directly support the Department’s effort to modernize procurement and strengthen the defense industrial base.”