Morgan City man arrested in Franklin kidnapping

A 37-year-old Morgan City man was charged Saturday with kidnapping a woman in Franklin upon forcing her into his vehicle after having punched her repeatedly, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Jarnell Payne, 37, of the 1500 block of Third Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:07 a.m. Saturday on the charges of simple kidnapping, domestic abuse battery, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and disturbing the peace.
Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in progress at a residence in Franklin. Upon arrival, deputies observed that the front door of the residence was open and conducted a search of the home, which was found to be unoccupied.
Deputies spoke with witnesses at the scene and learned that Payne and a female victim were traveling in a white Dodge Durango, Hebert said. Deputies began a search for the vehicle and located it on Prairie Road North in Franklin. Deputies stopped the vehicle and detained Payne. During the investigation, deputies learned that Payne punched the woman multiple times bruising her face, neck and arms, Hebert said.
When Payne learned that the sheriff’s office had been notified, he ordered the victim into the vehicle, Hebert said. Fearing for her life, the victim got into the car, the sheriff said. Following the investigation, Payne was jailed with no bail set.
Hebert reported responding to 112 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests relating to east St. Mary Parish:
—Melvin Thibodeaux, 53, of the 1400 block of James Street in Morgan City, at 12:53 a.m. Sunday on the charges of battery of a police officer, resisting an officer, possession of a Schedule II drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Shawn Gaskins, 31, of the 100 block of Friendship Alley in Amelia, at 12:57 a.m. Sunday on the charges of resisting an officer, possession of a Schedule II drug and misrepresentation during booking.
Deputies assigned to patrol the Amelia area observed a group of men gathered near a residence on Friendship Alley, Hebert said. When a deputy attempted to make contact and speak with them, they fled on foot. Deputies gave chase. During the foot pursuit, one of the men, later identified as Thibodeaux, threw a pack of cigarettes striking a deputy, Hebert said.
Another person, later identified as Gaskins, was seen throwing an item to the ground, the sheriff said. Both were apprehended and detained pending further investigation. The item thrown by Gaskins was recovered and found to contain five pieces of crack cocaine, Hebert said.
Thibodeaux was found to be in possession of a glass pipe used to smoke crack cocaine. Another piece of crack cocaine was also found at the site where Thibodeaux was sitting prior to the subjects fleeing from deputies. Both subjects were transported to the parish jail for booking.
During booking, jailers discovered that Gaskins had given deputies a false name and the sheriff’s office is still investigating that part of the incident, Sheriff’s Office Spokeswoman Traci Landry said. No bail is not set for either suspect.
—Mindy Macalusa, 31, of the 500 block of Arcemont Lane in Bayou Vista, at 12:02 p.m. Friday for unauthorized use of an access card. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by a deputy into a complaint of a subject using a credit card without the victim’s permission. The deputy determined that Macalusa made unauthorized purchases in excess of $6,000. Macalusa was jailed and released on $400 bail.
—Matthew Burke, 26, of the 900 block of Verdunville Road in Verdunville, at 7:58 p.m. Saturday on the charge of driving an off road vehicle on a public roadway. A deputy assigned to patrol the Centerville area observed a side-by-side ATV drive by on La. 182. The ATV had no headlights or other equipment required to operate on public roadways. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with Burke, the driver of the ATV. Following the investigation, Burke was released on a summons to appear in court June 17.
—Marc Ramsey, 34, of the 600 block of Clarke Road in Bayou Vista, at 8:10 p.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. A deputy located Ramsey at his residence. Bail is set at $10,171.40.
—Jennifer Mora, 38, of the 200 block of Texas Street in Berwick, at 2:15 a.m. Sunday on the charges of flight from an officer and reckless operation of a vehicle. A deputy observed a vehicle swerve into an oncoming lane of traffic on La. 182 in the Morgan City area forcing another vehicle to swerve to avoid a possible collision.
The deputy initiated a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle then accelerated away from the deputy. The deputy followed the vehicle to the U.S. 90 on ramp where the vehicle stopped. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Mora. Following an investigation, Mora was jailed and released on $1,000 bail.
—David McDonald, 51, of the 3100 block of La. 87 in Centerville, at 3:43 p.m. Sunday on the charges of driving while intoxicated, flight from an officer, resisting an officer, careless operation of a motor vehicle and driving left of center.
A deputy responding to a complaint of a reckless driver observed a vehicle matching the complainant’s description swerving from lane to lane on La. 182 in the Verdunville area. The deputy initiated a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle failed to pull over. The deputy followed the driver to a residence on La. 182. The deputy identified the driver as McDonald and smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person.
During the course of the investigation, McDonald registered 0.292 grams-percent blood alcohol concentration on the breath test. During the arrest, McDonald pushed a deputy, Hebert said. McDonald was jailed with no bail set.
Morgan City Assistant Police Chief Mark Griffin Jr. reported the following arrests:
—Ira Thomas, 56, of Glenwood Street in Morgan City, at 8:56 a.m. Friday on a warrant for two counts of failure to pay a fine.
Patrolling officers located Thomas in the area of Justa and Roderick streets and placed him under arrest on outstanding warrants for the Sixth Ward Court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
—Shamus M. Dardeau, 39, of Clark Road in Morgan City, at 12:47 p.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family.
Dardeau, who was already incarcerated, was booked on an outstanding warrant for the 16th Judicial District Court.
—Rolins J. Anslum, 27, of Oregon Street in Berwick, at 10:03 p.m. Friday on the charges of operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license and improper lane usage.
—Brook N. Fuselier, 27, of Oregon Street in Berwick, at 10:03 p.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of theft of goods less than $500.
Patrolling officers observed a vehicle operated in an erratic manner in the area of Brashear Avenue and stopped the vehicle to investigate.
he driver, Anslum, was determined to be operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license and was placed under arrest.
A passenger, Brook Fuselier, was discovered to be wanted on an outstanding warrant for the 16th Judicial District Court and was also placed under arrest.
Both were transported to the Morgan City Police Department where they were booked and incarcerated.
—Richard M. Giroir Jr., 55, of Arenz Street in Morgan City, at 1:42 a.m. Saturday on the charge of theft of goods (value $9.49) and a warrant for failure to appear in drug court.
Officers were dispatched to a Brashear Avenue pharmacy in regards to a shoplifter.
Officers learned that a man had taken a bottle of alcoholic beverage and had fled the store without paying for the item, Griffin said. The man, who refused to stop for employees, left the scene prior to officers’ arrival, Griffin said.
Officers were able to identify Richard Giroir Jr. as a suspect in the theft and positively identified him using video evidence. Giroir was located at his residence located on Arenz Street. Giroir was also found to be wanted on an outstanding warrant for the 16th Judicial District Court and was additionally charged. He was jailed.
—Erick J. Billiot, 24, of Arenz Street in Morgan City, at 4:21 a.m. Saturday on the charge of theft of goods (value $4.99).
Officers were dispatched to a La. 182 convenience store in regards to a shoplifter. Officers were advised that the subject was attempting to leave the store in a vehicle and were provided a description. Officers located a vehicle attempting to leave the scene and detained the vehicle and its driver, Billiot. During the investigation, officers learned that Billiot had attempted to conceal and commit theft of an energy drink, Griffin said. When confronted, Billiot offered to pay the clerk $30 if she refrained from contacting police officers, Griffin said. Billiot was positively identified by video evidence and witness statements and was jailed.
—Steven J. Easton, 35, of Carencro, at 9:09 a.m. Saturday on the charge of possession of Schedule I marijuana, and failure to drive right lane on a multi-lane roadway.
An officer patrolling the U.S. 90 area in Morgan City observed a vehicle traveling in the left lane of a multi-lane roadway. The vehicle, which was not in a passing maneuver, was stopped and the driver was identified as Easton, Griffin said. Officers questioned Easton and a narcotics canine was utilized near the exterior of the suspects’ vehicle, Griffin said. The narcotics K9 unit indicated a response for the presence of illegal substances leading to a search of the vehicle. Officers were able to locate suspected marijuana inside the suspect’s vehicle, Griffin said. Easton was jailed.
—Jeremy R. Jennings, 31, of Halsey Street in Morgan City, at 10:41 a.m. Saturday on the charge of disturbing the peace.
Officers were dispatched to a Halsey Street apartment in regards to a disturbance. Officers located Jennings outside the apartment. Jennings was observed and heard to be yelling vulgarities and abusive language, which caused people inside other apartments to investigate, Griffin said.
As officers attempted to investigate the disturbance, Jennings continued his behavior and refused to cooperate with officers requests to cease. He was jailed.
—Julie A. Campos, 42, of Morgan City, at 6:44 p.m. Saturday on the charge of appearing intoxicated in public.
Officers dispatched to the area of Federal Avenue in regards to an intoxicated subject located Campos walking in the street screaming, Griffin said. Campos, who appeared highly intoxicated, was jailed.
—Bridget A. Jankowski, 36, of Egle Street in Morgan City, at 11:55 a.m. Sunday on the charges of careless operation and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Officers responded to a vehicle crash near the intersection of Federal Avenue and Aucoin Street. During the investigation, Jankwoski was identified as the driver of a vehicle involved. According to witnesses, Jankowski made an improper turning motion, striking another vehicle, Griffin said. Jankowski refused a field sobriety test, Griffin said. She was given an opportunity to submit to an Intoxilyzer 5000 test, but she again refused, Griffin said. She was jailed.
—Rhondal Butler, 28, of Patterson, at 6:04 p.m. Sunday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of disturbing the peace.
—Tradasha Brooks, 19, of Ciro Street in Morgan City, at 6:11 p.m. Sunday on the charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.
—Shailon Favors, 21, of Patterson, at 6:11 p.m. Sunday on the charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.
—Kedesha Scott, 20, of Fifth Street in Morgan City, at 7:31 p.m. Sunday on the charge of disturbing the peace by fighting.
Officers were dispatched to the area of Everett and Sixth streets regarding a fight involving several people. Officers learned that the people involved in the fight had fled the scene. Investigating officers were able to locate several suspects and with the help of witness statements, identified the people involved.
Scott, Favors and Brooks were identified as suspects, Griffin said. They were all jailed.
—Leroy Verrett, 48, of Belanger Street in Morgan City, at 12:49 a.m. today on the charge of domestic abuse battery.
—Cheryl Verrett, 44, of Belanger Street in Morgan City, at 12:49 a.m. today on the charge of domestic abuse battery.
—Michele Blanchard, 23, of Belanger Street in Morgan City, at 1:40 a.m. today on the charge of domestic abuse battery.
Officers were dispatched to a Belanger Street residence regarding a disturbance. During the investigation, officers learned that Cheryl Verrett, Leroy Verrett and Blanchard had been involved in an altercation causing minor injuries to those involved, Griffin said. All three were jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:
—Jarrett Babineaux, 28, of the 300 block of Myrtle Street in Patterson, at 5:52 p.m. Friday on the charge of introduction of contraband into a penal institution. Babineaux was jailed with no bail set.
—Michael Hughes Jr., 34, of the 100 block of Rayne Court in Morgan City, at 7:55 p.m. Saturday on the charges of speeding 41 mph in a 25 mph zone and driving under the influence. Hughes was jailed with no bail set.
—Artha Williams, 64, of the 200 block of Bernie Lane in Patterson, at 9:02 p.m. Sunday on the charge of driving while intoxicated, failure to dim headlights and open container in vehicle. Williams was jailed with no bail set.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:
—Kimberly Harris, 42, of Morgan City, at 12:31 p.m. Saturday on the charge of theft by shoplifting. She was jailed with bail set at $450.
—Kerin Blanchard, 53, of Chauvin, at 4:44 p.m. Sunday on the charge of disturbing the peace by alarming the public. Blanchard was jailed with bail set at $175.

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