Couple accused of illegally selling prescription pills

A Patterson husband and wife were arrested Tuesday after detectives discovered the two were selling the wife's prescription oxycodone pills in exchange for cash and methamphetamine, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Erica Pederson, 35, of the 100 block of Domino Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 7:06 p.m. Tuesday on the charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of Schedule II oxycodone with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a legend drug, amoxicillin, without a prescription and violation of a controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone).
—Donovan Pederson, 35, of the 100 block of Domino Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 7:06 p.m. Tuesday on the charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of Schedule II oxycodone with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a legend drug, amoxicillin, without a prescription and violation of a controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone).
Detectives with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division conducted an investigation over several months with narcotics agents from the Patterson Police Department into suspected illegal drug activity at a home in the 100 block of Domino Drive. The joint investigation began after both agencies received multiple complaints, Hebert said.
As a result of the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence. Narcotics detectives, agents and members of the Morgan City Police Department Narcotics Division executed the warrant and located methamphetamine, pills and items of drug paraphernalia including a digital scale and a syringe.
Detectives also located evidence showing Erica Pederson and Donovan Pederson were selling Erica Pederson’s prescription oxycodone pills for money and methamphetamine, Hebert said. This residence is located less than 2,000 feet from a church in Patterson. Erica Pederson was released on $5,000 bail, while Donovan Pederson was released on $25,000 bail.
Hebert reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Clara Watkins, 65, of the 300 block of Glenwood Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:58 a.m. Tuesday on the charges of general speed law violation traveling 25 mph in a 15 mph school zone, driving under suspension, a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of direct contempt, speeding, and failure to honor written promise to appear and a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of direct contempt, disobeying a traffic light, and failure to honor written promise to appear.
A deputy directing traffic in the school zone on Lake Palourde Road at Julia Street in Amelia observed a vehicle speeding. The deputy stopped the vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as Watkins. During the stop, the deputy discovered that her driver’s license was listed as suspended and that there were two active warrants for Watkins’ arrest. Watkins was booked and released after posting $2,644 bail.
—Jared Hope, 25, of the 300 block of Louisa Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:05 a.m. Tuesday on the charges of possession of Schedule I synthetic cannabinoids. A deputy responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle on Ricohoc Drive near the Calumet floodgate. Upon arrival, the deputy located the vehicle off of the roadway and made contact with Hope.
While speaking with Hope, the deputy received consent to search the vehicle and located a burnt synthetic marijuana cigar. The deputy released Hope on a summons to appear in court March 30. The vehicle was towed from the location.
—Charles Berger, 25, of the 100 block of Clarke Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 4:09 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for possession of drug paraphernalia. The warrant stems from a search warrant executed by narcotics detectives in 2014 at Berger’s former residence where detectives located items of drug paraphernalia belonging to Berger.
A deputy assigned to the Warrants Division located Berger at the St. Mary Parish Courthouse on the warrant. Berger was released on a summons to appear in court March 7.
—Emilie Pittman, 22, of the 200 block of Jupiter Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:08 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of driving while intoxicated, reckless operation of a vehicle, speeding, and operating a vehicle without a driver’s license on person, a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle with a suspended license and speeding and on a Thibodaux City Court warrant for failure to appear on the charges of disturbing the peace, resisting an officer, and direct contempt.
A deputy went to Pittman’s residence to carry out the warrants and located her there. Pittman was jailed with no bail set.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:
—Kerry A. Martin, 19, of Garber Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3 p.m. Tuesday on the charge of probation violation continued use of marijuana.
Martin was arrested in the Sixth Ward Morgan City Court in regard to an active arrest warrant held by the Morgan City Court. Martin was jailed.
—Passion M. Harris, 19, of Garber Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday on warrants charging her with probation violation and failure to appear to pay probation fee.
Harris was arrested in the Sixth Ward Morgan City Court in regard to active arrest warrants held by the Morgan City Court. Harris was jailed.
—James Naverre, 19, of Apple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4 p.m. Tuesday on the charge of probation violation.
Naverre was arrested in the Sixth Ward Morgan City Court in regard to an active arrest warrant held by the Morgan City Court. Naverre was jailed.
—Travis S. Ruffin Jr., 17, of Bernice Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:57 p.m. Tuesday on the charge of simple battery.
An officer responded to the area of Cottonwood and Sandra streets in regard to a complaint of a battery. The officer arrived and spoke with the victim and witness of the incident. The officer was told that the victim and witness were traveling on Cottonwood Street when Ruffin pulled in front of them and stopped his vehicle, Blair said.
Ruffin then got out of his vehicle, walked over to the victim’s vehicle and began punching the victim several times in the face through an open window. The officer then spoke with Ruffin who, according to reports, admitted that he did strike the victim through the window. Ruffin was jailed. The victim was transported to a medical facility to be treated for minor injuries sustained during the incident, Blair said.
—Wilson LaChappel, 31, of Apple Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday on the charges of improper lighting, driving under suspension and a warrant for speeding.
An officer patrolling the area of Front Street near Egle Street observed a vehicle traveling with improper tail lighting and conducted a traffic stop. LaChappel had a suspended driver’s license and an active warrant for his arrest. LaChappel was jailed.