Inmate accused of attack in parish jail

A 19-year-old Morgan City man, who is incarcerated in parish jail, was charged Wednesday with striking another inmate in the face, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Damarcus McNeal, 19, of Morgan City, was additionally charged with simple battery at 4:34 p.m. Wednesday. The St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center security team conducted an investigation into a Tuesday report of a possible battery.
Correctional officers collected evidence that McNeal approached another inmate in a dorm and struck him in the face, Hebert said. McNeal remains incarcerated. No bail is set.
Hebert reported responding to 39 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Mark Ruffin, 41, of the 2400 block of Irish Bend Road in Franklin, was arrested at 3:44 p.m. Wednesday on the charges of speeding and no insurance.
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division K-9 unit patrolling U.S. 90 in the Patterson area observed a vehicle traveling 61 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. The deputy also found that the vehicle was not covered by insurance. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, identified as Ruffin. Following the stop, Ruffin was released on a summons to appear in court Sept. 15.
—Rocky Sauce, 60, of the 800 block of Taft Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday on the charge of domestic abuse battery.
A deputy responded to a report of a disturbance occurring inside a vehicle in the parking lot of a business in Bayou Vista. Upon arrival, the deputy learned that the driver of the vehicle and an occupant had left the area. Using a description of the vehicle and its occupants, the deputy issued a be-on-the-lookout advisory to area law enforcement agencies.
A short time later, the deputy was contacted by a Patterson police officer who located the suspect vehicle at a home on Taft Street. The deputy found evidence that Sauce struck a woman in the face during an argument. Sauce was jailed with no bail set.
—Joseph Isaac, 49, of the 3400 block of Lake Palourde Road in Amelia, was arrested at 1:41 a.m. today on the charge of driving under suspension. A deputy patrolling Amelia stopped to assist a motorist whose vehicle had broken down on the side of the roadway near the intersection of Duhon Boulevard and La. 182.
The deputy made contact with the driver and learned he had another driver en route to tow the vehicle. When the second driver, identified as Isaac, arrived, the deputy conducted a driver’s license check and found that Isaac was operating his vehicle with a suspended license. Isaac was released on a summons to appear in court Sept. 15.
—Shane M. Price, 22, of the 100 block of La. 182 in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:24 a.m. today on the charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, hit and run driving and careless operation.
A deputy responded to a complaint of a hit and run incident at a home on Teche Road in Bayou Vista. After speaking with the complain-ant, the deputy issued a be-on-the-lookout advisory to area law enforcement agencies including a description of the vehicle.
A short time later, the deputy was contacted by a Berwick police officer who located the suspect vehicle on Parro Lane. The deputy made contact with the suspect driver, identified as Price, and smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, Hebert said.
The deputy found evidence that Price struck a parked vehicle, causing it to hit another parked vehicle. The deputy also collected evidence that Price struck a nearby utility pole, Hebert said. The deputy conducted a standardized field sobriety test on which Price performed poorly, Hebert said.
He also registered 0.131 grams-percent blood alcohol concentration on a breath test. Price was jailed with no bail set.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:
—Heidi Franco, 28, of Cleveland Street in Patter-son, was arrested at 7:46 a.m. Wednesday on the charges of possession of marijuana and illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance while in the presence of juveniles.
Officers responded to a motel on La. 182 in regard to a call of suspected drug activity inside one of the rooms. The officers arrived and spoke to an agent with Louisiana Probation and Parole who told the officers that while the agent was conducting an inspection on a client, the smell of marijuana was coming from the room, Blair said.
Police knocked at the door and was greeted by Franco, who was in the room with her 4-year-old son. Officers searched the room and located suspected marijuana, Blair said.
Investigators also discovered evidence that Franco was using illegal drugs while in the presence of her son, Blair said. Franco was jailed.
—Karen Strathman, 46, of Magazine Street in New Orleans, was arrested at 9:10 p.m. Wednesday on the charge of entering or remaining where forbidden.
Officers responded to a residence on North Third Street in regard to a report of a domestic disturbance. When the officers arrived, they could hear arguing coming from the home as they approached. Police made contact with two people, a man and Strathman, inside the home.
Officers learned that Strathman had been banned from the home due to a previous incident. Strathman was given several opportunities to leave the home but refused to do so, Blair said. Strathman was jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrest:
—Malcolm Williams Jr., 40, of the 1700 block of Seyburn Street in Patterson, was arrested at 6:51 a.m. Wednesday on the charge of simple battery involving domestic violence. Williams was released on $5,000 bail.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.