Jailer charged with malfeasance in contraband investigation

A St. Mary Parish jailer was charged Thursday with malfeasance in office after he conspired with an inmate to bring contraband into the jail, Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—O’Sharra Silas, 20, of the 400 block of Ira Street in Jeanerette, was arrested at 6:21 p.m. Wednesday for malfeasance in office and conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal facility.
—Joseph B. James, 34, of Franklin, was additionally charged with conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal facility at 7:35 p.m. Thursday.
The St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center Security Team developed information that a correctional officer was attempting to bring contraband into the facility.
A detective with the criminal investigation division found evidence that Silas, a correctional officer at the law enforcement center, conspired with James, an inmate, to bring a package containing contraband into the jail, Hebert said.
The package didn’t actually get into the jail facility, Sheriff’s Office Spokeswoman Traci Landry said.
Silas came to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office in Franklin in reference to the investigation and was subsequently taken into custody. Silas began employment at the law enforcement center in September 2015 and has been terminated, Hebert said. Silas was booked at the parish jail and transported to another facility for housing. No bail is set.
“Anyone found to be involved in bringing contraband into the jail, regardless of their station, will be charged accordingly,” Hebert said.
Hebert reported responding to 40 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Christopher L. Haynes, 33, of the 100 block of Willow Bend Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 5:04 p.m. Thursday for three counts of domestic abuse battery (child endangerment). A deputy responded to a report of a disturbance in progress at a residence in Patterson. The deputy made contact with several people, including a woman who was bleeding from the nose and mouth.
The deputy contacted Acadian Ambulance Services who responded to the scene and treated the female. Haynes, who was also at the location, was detained. During the investigation, the deputy found evidence that Haynes punched the female victim in the face and pushed two other female victims, one of which was a juvenile, to the ground during an argument, Hebert said.
The deputy also discovered that the battery occurred in the presence of two other juveniles. Haynes was transported to the parish jail. No bail is set.
—Justin Bergeron, 25, of the 200 block of Honey Lane in Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 4:28 p.m. Thursday on the charge of two counts of monetary instrument abuse. A detective investigating a complaint of fraudulently manufactured checks collected evidence indicating that Bergeron cashed two fake checks, totaling more than $4,000, at businesses in Morgan City and Amelia.
Bergeron came to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office in Morgan City in reference to the investigation. While speaking with Bergeron, he admitted to knowingly cashing the fraudulent checks. Bergeron was jailed with no bail set.
—Quincy P. Cole, 30, of the 200 block of Mary Ann Street in St. Martinville, was arrested at 3:09 p.m. Thursday on a warrant from the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office for failure to appear on the charges of driving under suspension and failure to signal.
A detective driving on U.S. 90 in the Patterson area observed the driver of a vehicle traveling at a slow rate of speed inhibiting the flow of traffic in the left passing lane while texting on a cell phone. The detective conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Cole.
While speaking with Cole, the detective located an active warrant for his arrest from St. Martin Parish. Cole was transported to the parish jail for booking and released on $3,000 bail.
—Shane Suire, 20, of the 1000 block of Susan Court in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:16 p.m. Thursday on the charges of careless operation of a vehicle and no driver’s license on person. A deputy responded to a report of a traffic incident on U.S. 90 in the Ricohoc area and located a car in the median.
The deputy made contact with the driver, Suire. While speaking with Suire, the deputy learned that he lost control of the vehicle and went off the roadway. The deputy also found that Suire was operating the vehicle without a driver’s license on him. Suire was released on a summons to appear in court May 4.
—Chucky J. Verdun, 64, of the 200 block of Cleveland Street in Patterson, was arrested at 1:57 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family.
—Lavern P. Verdun, 50, of the 200 block of Cleveland Street in Patterson, was arrested at 1:57 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of driving while intoxicated second offense.
Detectives of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division conducting an investigation on Kemper Street in Patterson made contact with Chucky Verdun and Lavern Verdun and located the active warrants for their arrest. Both subjects were transported to parish jail for booking. Bail for Chucky Verdun is set at $5,938.57. No bail is set for Lavern Verdun.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:
—Devante Frank, 23, of Aucoin Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:25 a.m. Thursday on the charge of battery on a correctional facility employee.
Correctional officers came into contact with Frank, who was incarcerated in the Morgan City jail. During the incident, Frank was accused of committing a battery on one of the correctional officers. Frank was additionally charged and remains incarcerated.
—Max L. James, 32, of Front Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:36 p.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of crack cocaine over 28 grams, possession of alprazolam, possession of marijuana third offense, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, transaction involving drug proceeds, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance laws and on a warrant for distribution of crack cocaine.
Morgan City police narcotics detectives, along with the assistance of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s narcotics unit, conducted a vehicle stop on Fourth Street near Brashear Avenue. The stop was in regard to investigators identifying James, a known convicted felon, as an occupant inside the vehicle.
Investigators knew that there was an active warrant for James’ arrest. The stop was conducted and James placed under arrest on the warrant. Investigators conducted a search and located a large amount of suspected crack cocaine, suspected alprazolam, suspected marijuana and a firearm on James, Blair said.
Investigators also located cash, which they believed to have been obtained from the sale of illegal drugs. The location of the incident was within the area of a local elementary school in violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance laws. James was jailed.
—Stanley Ruffin, 49, of Second Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:54 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on a traffic offense in the 32nd Judicial District Court. Officers located Ruffin on Fourth Street. Ruffin was jailed.
—Alyssa L Ashmore, 26, of Third Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4 p.m. Thursday on the charge of contempt of court.
Ashmore was placed under arrest in the 6th Ward Morgan City Court for contempt of court. Ashmore was jailed.
—Heather D. Banda, 38, of Fifth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:30 a.m. today on warrants charging her with failure to appear for no vehicle insurance, failure to appear for no driver’s license, contempt of court, failure to appear for following too closely, failure to appear to pay a fine for contempt of court and failure to appear to pay a fine for following too closely.
Banda was transported from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Jail to the Morgan City Police Department in regard to active arrest warrants held by the 6th Ward City Court. Banda was booked into the Morgan City Jail.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:
—Jade May, 23, of the 400 block of Mike Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 11:15 a.m. Thursday on two counts of criminal neglect of family, simple criminal damage to property under $500 and remaining after being forbidden. May was jailed on $46,289.77 bail.
—Heather E. Banda, 38, of the 600 block of Gen. Patton Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:43 p.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of crack cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, three St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrants for failure to appear on the charges of criminal neglect of family and on Morgan City police warrants for failure to appear on the charges of no insurance, no driver’s license first offense, two counts of contempt of court-fine, and following too closely.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.