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June 28, 1954 — December 10, 2022
Ray Allen Primeaux, 68, born in Crowley and a lifelong resident of Patterson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 10, 2022.
Ray was a proud veteran of the United States Army having served during the Vietnam War. He worked his entire career as a mechanic, working mainly on diesel engines and heavy equipment. A family man through and through, nothing made him happier than being with those he loved. He was an avid LSU and Patterson Lumberjacks football fan who enjoyed the game as though he was right there playing. He had a great sense of humor and loved nothing more than making others laugh. Music was a passion he held close to his heart and even worked in his spare time as a DJ. Prior to his declining health, Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, spending time on the water and riding motorcycles. A bright light is gone from our sight with Ray’s passing but his memory will live on in all who were fortunate to have known him.
Ray is the beloved husband of Janice DeHart Primeaux of 33 years; the loving father of April Primeaux (Harvey) and Brandon Burgess (Olivia); proud grandfather of Ricky “Bubba” LeBlanc, Noah “Moose” LeBlanc, and Marcos Burgess; brother to Joe Jr., Jimmy, Henry, and Hubert Primeaux (Karen); and brother-in-law to Kathy Primeaux Carlin. He is also survived by his godchild, Sonia Henry, a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, and all of his neighborhood “grandkids.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Wilfred Primeaux Sr. and Effie LeBouef Primeaux; his brother, Randy Primeaux; nephews, Eddie Primeaux and Hubert Primeaux Jr.; in-laws, Martin DeHart and Marjorie Dontay DeHart; and brother-in-law, Ronald DeHart.
A gathering of family and friends will be held Thursday, December 15, 2022, at Ibert’s Mortuary in Patterson from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM. The eulogy will be given at 12:00 PM by his daughter April, followed by funeral services conducted by Father Herb Bennerfield. He will be laid to rest with Military Honors in St. Joseph Cemetery in Patterson. Those honored to serve as pallbearers include Ricky LeBlanc, Noah LeBlanc, Brandon Burgess, Philip Primeaux, Clint Cortez, and Harvey Morgan.
Family and friends may view the obituary online by visiting www.iberts.com and are encouraged to share their condolences, cherished memories, love, and support for the family.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1111 Lia Street, Patterson, LA 70392, (985) 395-7873.

February 21, 1938 — December 10, 2022
John “Oscar” Edward Mahfouz, Sr., age 84, of Berwick, LA passed away on Saturday, December 10, 2022. He was born on February 21, 1938 to the late Alphonse and Lillian Gouner Mahfouz in Berwick, LA.
Oscar was an avid LSU fan and he enjoyed flying, fishing and cooking.
Family and friends of Oscar are invited to attend the Visitation on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at Hargrave Funeral Home from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Visitation will resume on Friday, December 16, 2022 at St. Stephen Catholic Church from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial immediately following. He will be laid to rest in the Berwick Memorial Cemetery Mausoleum.
He is preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, William McNeely and brother-in-law, Kenneth Garber, Sr.
He is survived by his children, Pam McNeely, Claire Laubach and her husband Benjamin, Jr., John Mahfouz, Jr. and his wife Valarie, Susan McJimsey and her husband Patrick, Stephen Mahfouz and Daniel Mahfouz and his wife Andrea; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Gwen Garber and Nancy Jackson and her husband Kenneth.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hargravefuneralhome.com for the Mahfouz family.

Jessica Lane Carroll, 39, a resident of Natchitoches, died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022.
She is survived by her mother, Pauline Brian; three children, Cameron Simmons, Madison Simmons and Christian Simmons; two sisters, Destiny Pearson and Shara Carroll; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her father and grandparents.
Twin City Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

(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.)

Morgan City police made a pair of drug-related arrests over the weekend, one of which involved possession of four kinds drugs.

Utility meters took a beating in Berwick in a pair of cases that resulted in arrests. And in Pierre Part, a school zone violation turned into an aggravated battery arrest involving a weapon. Morgan City police arrested the woman on an Assumption warrant.

Morgan City

Police Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 109 calls for service over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Tyler John Thibodeaux, 34, Johnson Street, Houma, was arrested at 2:27 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving under suspension, registration required, improper lane usage, possession of marijuana, no insurance, possession of Suboxone, possession of Klonopin, possession of a legend drug (Gaberpentin) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

--Nico Queintrell Skipper, 33, Dora Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:36 p.m. Friday on three counts of failure to appear to pay fine (6th Ward Morgan City Court) and a charge of resisting an officer.

--Pedro Guillermo Cerpa, 23, Fourth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:40 p.m. Friday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), no driver’s license, improper turning and registration required.

--Jodie Wilson, 33, Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:59 a.m. Saturday on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense) and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

--Nalinakumaran Nair Sritharan Thambi, was arrested at 7:48 p.m. Saturday on three counts of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Drake Scott Burgess, 18, Kelli Drive, Patterson, was arrested at 8:11 p.m. Saturday on charges of driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana and amplified exhaust system.

--Alysha M. Carlton, 33, Fourth Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:47 a.m. Sunday on three counts of failure to appear for trial (6th Ward Morgan City Court) and four counts of failure to appear for drug court (16th Judicial District Court), and on a charge of resisting an officer.

--Gannon Troy Broussard Jr., 32, Railroad Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:40 p.m. Sunday on a charge of simple battery.

--Anthony Spencer Sr., 53, Magnolia, Houma, was arrested at 9;20 a.m. Sunday on a charge of remaining after forbidden.

--Gordon Chris Helman, 53, Uranus Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:20 p.m. Sunday on a charge of resisting an officer.

Berwick

Police Chief David S. Leonard Sr. reported these arrests:

--Gregory Free, 39, River Road, Berwick, was arrested at 1:47 p.m. Thursday on charges of theft of utilities and on a warrant alleging theft of utilities.

At 1:35 p.m. Thursday, officers were dispatched to a residence on River Road concerning a report of theft of utilities. Officers learned that the home’s water meter had been removed due to non-payment and because of previous instances of the homeowner tampering with the meter.

Officers learned that Free had tapped into the water supply at his residence to bypass the meter for a period of time, thus stealing water. Officers made contact with Free, who admitted to being responsible for the theft

A warrant check was conducted and he was found to have an outstanding warrant for a similar matter that happened Oct. 4. In that incident, Free had tampered with the water meter to disrupt the meter’s capability of measuring the water usage properly.

He was unable to be located at that time, therefore, a warrant was issued for his arrest. Free was booked into the Berwick Jail, where he remains with a $652.00 bond.

--Kenneth Kiff Sr., 55, Third Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:28 p.m. Friday on a charge of hit-and-run driving.

At 2:13 p.m. Friday, officers were dispatched to Fourth Street in reference to a vehicle that struck a gas meter and fled the scene. Officers arrived and viewed home surveillance video of the incident and were able to identify the truck involved.

A short time later, officers located the vehicle at a residence on Oregon Street and identified the driver as Kiff. Following the investigation, Kiff was arrested and released on a summons to appear in court.

--Nickolas Morris II, 34, Morgan City, was arrested 6:55 p.m. Saturday on a charge of violation of protective orders.

At 6:25 p.m. Saturday, an officer conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 90 for speeding 74 mph in the posted 55 mph zone. The officer learned of an existing protective order that lists the driver as the protected person. The passenger in the vehicle was identified as Morris and the protective order was issued against him. Following the traffic stop investigation, Morris was placed under arrest and booked into the Berwick Jail, where he remains with no bond set.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith advises that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 30 complaints and reports the following arrests:

--Willie Joseph Johnlouis Jr., 35, Jeanerette, was arrested at 9:37 a.m. Friday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charges of possession of Schedule II drugs; possession of a firearm or carrying concealed by a convicted felon; illegal possession of a stolen firearm; illegal use, possession or control of weapons in a crime of violence of controlled dangerous substance; obstruction of a justice (tampering with evidence); and improper lane usage.

Bail has not been set.

--Cedric Paul Griffin Jr., 41, Patterson, was arrested at 12:10 p.m. Friday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on the charge of distribution of marijuana. Bail has not been set..

--Deidra Patrice Nerve, 43, Franklin, was at 2:28 a.m. Sunday on a charge of possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I drug. Bail has not been set .

--Jairo Jarez Perez, 25, Amelia, was arrested 10:36 p.m. Sunday on a charge of hit and-run and driving while intoxicated. Bail was set at $3,500.

--Dean Christian Nielsen, 63, Sargent, Texas, was arrested at 6:10 p.m. Sunday on a charge of battery of a dating partner. Nielson was released on a $4,500 bond.

--Clito R. Dfonseca, 61, Bayou Vista, was arrested at 8:49 p.m. Sunday on a charge of hit and run. Dfonseca was released on a $1,000 bond.

Franklin

Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to 13 complaints over the weekend and made this arrest:

--Ivory Williams, 51, 10th Street, Franklin, was arrested at 08:51 p.m. Saturday, on charges of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal carrying of weapons and possession of a firearm in a firearm-free zone. Williams was booked, processed, and held with no bond set at time of press release.

Assumption

Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:

--Linda Jean Blanton, 58, Jefferson Place, Baton Rouge, was arrested Friday on charges of speeding in a school zone, failure to obey a police officer (signs and signals), felony battery of a police officer and aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon.

On De.c 7, P.O.S.T. -certified school resource officer was directing morning school traffic at Pierre Part Elementary. The deputy was in full uniform with reflective safety equipment and had her patrol unit properly positioned and lighted.

The deputy observed a vehicle eastbound on La. 70 at a high rate of speed in the school zone. The deputy stopped the vehicle to allow ingress and egress traffic at the school. The deputy then heard a transmission over her police radio about a vehicle driving recklessly in the Pierre Part area. The description of the suspect vehicle appeared to be similar to the vehicle she just stopped in the school zone.

The deputy made contact with the driver and then ordered her to pull off the roadway. The suspect replied, “No,” and drove off at a high rate of speed with the deputy still engaged. The deputy was able to free herself and avoid serious injury.

It was determined that the vehicle in the first complaint as well as the school zone incident and the driver were the same. The driver fled the area.

Deputies obtained arrest warrants for the driver, now identified as Blanton.

On Friday, Blanton was arrested by the Morgan City Police Department on the warrants from Assumption Parish.

Blanton was transferred to Assumption Parish on Friday evening with bond set at $50,000.