Berwick teen arrested on seven gun and drug charges

A Berwick teen was caught Monday on multiple drug charges and firearm charges after authorities conducted a traffic stop investigation on La. 70 in Morgan City that continued at his home in Berwick, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Christian Businelle, 18, of the 700 block of Versen Lane in Berwick, was arrested at 10:12 p.m. Monday on the charges of possession of synthetic cannabinoids with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, transaction involving drug proceeds, violation of controlled dangerous substance law (drug free zone), possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number or mark and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Narcotics detectives with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division and with the Morgan City Police Department conducted a traffic stop on La. 70 and made contact with a passenger in the vehicle identified as Businelle. Detectives received consent to search the vehicle and located a black bag that contained bags of synthetic cannabinoids, a bag of marijuana, a digital scale, rolling papers, and a .22-caliber revolver with an obliterated serial number. The illegal items were found on the passenger seat floor board where Businelle was sitting. Several .22 caliber rounds were also located inside the glove box, the sheriff said.
Detectives received consent to search Businelle and located over $200 in cash and a pair of brass knuckles, Hebert said. The traffic stop investigation occurred near Morgan City Junior High School. Continuing the investigation into illegal drug activity, detectives received consent to search Businelle’s bedroom at his residence on Versen Lane and located another bag of synthetic cannabinoids, Hebert said. The total estimated street value of the illegal drugs is about $2,000. Detectives also learned that Businelle is a convicted felon. Businelle was jailed with no bail set.
Hebert reported responding to 38 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Quinton J. Jones, 24, of the 100 block of Friendship Alley in Amelia, was arrested at 8:16 p.m. Monday on a warrant for distribution of cocaine. Detectives with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division patrolling Amelia observed Jones standing outside of a residence on Friendship Alley. The warrant is the result of an investigation conducted in 2013 during which Jones took part in the sale of cocaine to an undercover narcotics officer in the Amelia area. Jones was transported to the parish jail for booking. No bail is set.
—Earl Vanacor, 48, of the 300 block of Up The Bayou Road in Des Allemands, was arrested at 7:55 p.m. Monday on the charge of possession of marijuana. Narcotics detectives traveling on U.S. 90 in the Morgan City area observed a commercial truck driving in the middle of the roadway, crossing the center line, Hebert said. Detectives conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Vanacor.
While speaking with Vanacor, detectives learned that he had a bag of marijuana on his person. Detectives received consent to search and located additional marijuana inside the vehicle. Following the investigation, Vanacor was released on a summons to appear in court Oct. 14.
—Anna Reed, 22, of the 1900 block of Saturn Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 8:59 p.m. Monday on the charge of possession of marijuana. Narcotics detectives traveling La. 182 in Siracusaville observed a car pull onto the shoulder of the roadway and cut through a business parking lot to turn onto Progress Lane.
Detectives conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, identified as Reed. While speaking with detectives, Reed admitted that she had a bag of marijuana on her, Hebert said. Reed retrieved the marijuana and handed it over to detectives. Detectives released Reed on a summons to appear in court in October.
—Brigg Norris, 21, of the 200 block of Chennault Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:03 p.m. Monday on the charges of possession of synthetic cannabinoids and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile.
While patrolling Morgan City, narcotics detectives observed the driver of a truck fail to properly signal a turn onto Front Street from Terrebonne Street. Detectives conducted a traffic stop. Upon making contact with the occupants of the vehicle, detectives smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, Hebert said.
The driver was identified as Norris. A 14-year-old juvenile male was also in the vehicle, the sheriff said. Detectives conducted a search of the vehicle and located a bag of synthetic cannabinoids and a synthetic cannabinoid cigarette. Norris admitted to detectives that the illegal items belonged to him, Hebert said. Norris was jailed with no bail set.
—Isaac Joseph Jr., 48, of the 3400 block of Lake Palourde Road in Amelia, was arrested at 11:40 a.m. Monday on the charge of illegal possession of stolen things. A St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office detective, working with a detective from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, received information that Joseph had, for a period of time, stored several thousand dollars in welding equipment at his residence that had been stolen from a business in Galiano, Hebert said. Joseph was jailed and released after posting $5,000 bail.
—Abriahn Baker, 18, of the 1700 block of Guyther Street in Patterson, was arrested at 6:59 p.m. Monday on the charge of aggravated battery. A deputy responded to a report of an aggravated battery at a residence in the Patterson area. During the investigation, the deputy learned that Baker swung a ring of keys attached to a lanyard at a male victim during an argument, Hebert said. Baker struck the victim with the keys in the shoulder and face, Hebert said. Baker was jailed with no bail set.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:
—Joseph Price, 43, of Levee Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:40 a.m. Monday on a warrant charging him with failure to appear and two counts of failure to pay fines.
Price was located in the area of Fourth Street and Brashear Avenue. A local warrants check was done on Price and it was determined that he held outstanding warrants for the Sixth Ward City Court. Price was jailed.
—Irving Clark, 26, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 6 p.m. Monday on the charges of resisting an officer, simple battery, possession of Schedule I marijuana and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law.
Officers were dispatched to a residence on Railroad Avenue in regard to a disturbance. Officers spoke to the victim, who stated that Clark had come to his residence and committed a battery on him, Blair said. When officers located Clark in the area, he tried to flee but was apprehended a short time later, Blair said.
Officers also located suspected marijuana on Clark, who was jailed.
—Dwanna M. Lebeau, 17, of Oriole Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:13 p.m. Monday on the charges of hit and run driving and driver must be licensed.
Officers were dispatched to a business in regard to a hit and run in the parking lot. The victim reported that she was parked when another vehicle backed into the rear passenger side of her vehicle, Blair said. The other vehicle did not stop after crashing into the victim’s vehicle, Blair said.
Officers located the vehicle and driver, Lebeau, in the area of Wren Street. Lebeau was asked about the incident and stated that she might have hit something, Blair said. Lebeau was jailed and released on bail.
—Ginger A. Grogan, 34, of Leesville, was arrested at 2:14 p.m. Friday on the charges of simple battery, resisting an officer and disturbing the peace intoxicated.
Officers were dispatched to a motel on La. 182 in regard to a disturbance. Management reported that Grogan was disturbing the other residents, Blair said.
Officers located Grogan, who appeared intoxicated. A witness reported that Grogan had also committed a battery on her, Blair said. Grogan was jailed.
—Harlan F. Anderson, 24, of Addis, was arrested at 7:57 p.m. Friday on the charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.
Officers were dispatched to Lake End Park in regard to a disturbance. Officers located Anderson, who appeared intoxicated, talking loud and using profanities, Blair said. Anderson was jailed.
—Joseph D. Richard, 47, of Oceanside, California, was arrested at 8:31 p.m. Friday on a Lafourche Parish warrant for failure to appear.
Officers located Richard in the area of La. 182 and Justa Street. Richard was found to have an outstanding warrant for the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. He was jailed.
—Tyrel A. Whitehead, 17, of Lawrence Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:16 p.m. Friday on the charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of Schedule II hydrocodone, possession of Schedule IV Xanax and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law.
Narcotics division detectives observed a vehicle with improper lighting in the area of Egle Street and Federal Avenue and stopped the vehicle to investigate. The passenger, Whitehead, was asked to exit the vehicle, and officers found suspected marijuana located under the passenger seat where Whitehead was sitting, Blair said.
Officers also located two pills in Whitehead’s possession identified as Xanax and hydrocodone, Blair said. Whitehead was jailed.
—Latifha Friels, 22, of Fifth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:15 a.m. Saturday on the charge of resisting an officer by giving false information and on a warrant for two counts of failure to appear and a warrant for probation violation.
Officers located Friels in the area of Mount Street and Railroad Avenue. A local warrants check was done on Friels. Prior to doing the warrants check, Friels had given officers a false name, Blair said. Police determined that Friels had outstanding warrants for the Sixth Ward City Court. She was jailed.
—Myrtle M. Naquin, 52, of Franklin, was arrested at 11:15 a.m. Saturday on a warrant charging her with theft over $300.
Naquin was transported from the Law Enforcement Center to the Morgan City Police Department for an outstanding warrant. The warrant stems from an incident in April of 2011, which alleges that Naquin committed a theft of $400. Naquin was jailed.
—Edgar Burrell, 28, of Franklin, was arrested at 2:13 p.m. Saturday on the charge of domestic abuse battery.
Officers were dispatched to a residence on Chennault Street in regard to a domestic disturbance. The victim stated that Burrell struck her in the face. Burrell was located in the residence and jailed.
—Brandon Durkins, 25, of Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 6:12 p.m. Saturday on the charges of aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon and simple criminal damage to property.
Officers were dispatched to a residence on Egle Street in regard to a disturbance. The victim told officers that Durkins came to her residence wanting a television and when she refused, he struck her with the television in the head, Blair said. Officers did observe marks on the victim’s head and facial area. Officers located Durkins and he was jailed.
—Jeremy Coleman, 29, of First Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:12 p.m. Saturday on a warrant charging him with three counts of failure to appear.
Officers located Coleman in the area of Ditch Avenue and La. 182. A local warrants check was done on Coleman and it was determined that he held outstanding warrants for the Sixth Ward City Court. Coleman was jailed.
—Thomas E. Randle, 62, of San Antonio, Texas, was arrested at 2:08 a.m. Sunday on the charges of reckless operation, possession of marijuana and a warrant charging him with two counts of failure to appear.
A patrol officer in the area of Victor II Boulevard near Redwood Street observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, Blair said. Police conducted a traffic stop and the driver, Randle, was asked to produce a valid driver’s license. During the course of the investigation, suspected marijuana was found on Randle. He also held outstanding warrants for the Sixth Ward City Court. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Derrick S. Derocher, 25, of Second Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:25 a.m. Sunday on the charges of obstructing public passage and disturbing the peace intoxicated.
A patrol officer noticed Derocher walking in the roadway in the area of Egle and Second streets. The officer approached Derocher and could smell a strong odor of alcohol on him, Blair said. Durocher was also yelling and using profanities, Blair said. Derocher was jailed.
—Gordon C. Helman, 23, of Joey Street in Patterson, was arrested at 1:57 a.m. Thursday on the charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, failure to dim bright lights, passing in a no passing zone and modified exhaust system.
A patrol officer in the area of Federal Avenue and Bow-man Street noticed a vehicle with improper lighting and passing another vehicle in a no passing zone. A traffic stop was conducted. The driver, Helman, had the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, Blair said.
Helman performed poorly on a field sobriety test, Blair said. At the Police Department, Helman submitted to a chemical test for intoxication and registered 0.176 grams-percent blood alcohol content. Helman was jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:
—Hollie Sauce, 35, of the 100 block of Carroll Street in Gibson, was arrested at 8:31 a.m. Friday on the charge of home invasion. No bail is set.
—Keith Sauce, 57, of the 100 block of Carroll Street in Gibson, was arrested at 8:31 a.m. Friday on the charge of home invasion. No bail is set.
The two suspects were accused of breaking into a residence in the 500 block of Taft Street in Patterson after a money dispute with the occupants, Patterson Police Lt. Larry Jones said.
—Devan Washington-Dyer, 36, of the 1500 block of Live Oak Street in Patterson, was arrested at 6:49 a.m. Monday on the charges of obstruction of justice, resisting an officer by force, stop sign violation and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Washington-Dyer was released on $3,500 bail.
—Johnell Dyer, 35, of the 1500 block of Live Oak Street in Patterson, was arrested at 6:49 a.m. Monday on the charges of obstruction of justice, resisting an officer by force and on a warrant for simple assault and resisting an officer by flight. Dyer was jailed with no bail set yet.
—John Alcina, 30, of the 700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Patterson, was arrested at 10:53 a.m. Friday on the charge of criminal damage to property. Alcina was released on $379 bail.
—Brian Michael Racicot, 49, of the 100 block of Shady Grove Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 7:05 p.m. Friday on the charges of disturbing the peace intoxicated, remaining where forbidden and aggravated assault. Racicot was jailed with no bail set.
—Devin Dinger, 21, of the 11000 block of Old Jeanerette Road in Jeanerette, was arrested at 3:19 a.m. Sunday on the charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated. Dinger was released on $413 cash bail.
—Jeremiah Aucoin, 33, of the 100 block of Pluto Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3:19 a.m. Sunday on the charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.
—Mark Smith, 51, of the 1400 block of Myrtle Street in Patterson, was arrested at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on a warrant charging him with theft under $100 and resisting an officer by flight. No bail is set.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:
—Dava Leonard, 33, of Tut Street in Pierre Part, was arrested at 11:25 p.m. Monday on the charges of license plate required, driver must be licensed, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine. No bail is set yet.
—Lawrence Gash Jr., 28, of Mallet Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:47 p.m. Saturday on the charges of speeding 33 mph in a 20 mph zone, driving under suspension, and 16th Judicial District Court warrants charging him with failure to appear for criminal neglect of family and failure to appear for possession of marijuana. Bail is set at $3,853.34.

This story was written by Zachary Fitzgerald of The Daily Review staff. Reach him at zfitzgerald@daily-review.com