Morgan City man faces cocaine charge

A 37-year-old Morgan City man was charged with intending to distribute cocaine after police conducted a search warrant at a Chestnut Drive residence, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.
—Anthony P. Ruffin, 37, of Chestnut Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:53 p.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of Schedule II cocaine with intent to distribute, transactions involving proceeds from controlled dangerous substance activity, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substances law (drug-free zone).
The Morgan City Police Department Narcotics Division, along with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division, conducted a search warrant at a residence on Chestnut Drive, Blair said. When officers arrived, Ruffin was located and they found suspected cocaine on him, Blair said. More suspected illegal narcotics were found in the residence along with drug paraphernalia, the chief said. Ruffin was jailed.
Blair reported the following arrest:
—Kyle Q. Rhett, 23, of Gen. McArthur Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:13 p.m. Thursday on the charge of possession of marijuana second offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under suspension and improper lane usage.
A patrol officer in the area of La. 182/U.S. 90 junction noticed Rhett driving a vehicle. The officer was aware of Rhett’s driver’s license being suspended, Blair said.
The officer noticed suspected marijuana in Rhett’s vehicle, Blair said. Rhett was jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 40 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests relating to east St. Mary Parish:
—A juvenile male, 14, of Morgan City, and juvenile male, 13, of Franklin, were arrested at 8:02 a.m. Thursday on the charge of disturbing the peace fighting. A school resource officer assigned to the St. Mary Alternative Program school observed two students engage in a physical altercation in the cafeteria, Hebert said. Following an investigation, both students were released to guardians pending juvenile court proceedings.
—Corey Paul Sauce Jr., 31, of the 200 block of Jeffery Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11:59 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of driving while intoxicated, license plate light required, and improper lane usage.
While on lunch break during a training day, a deputy observed Sauce at an eatery located on U.S. 90 in Patterson, Hebert said. The deputy knew that Sauce was wanted on an active arrest warrant. Sauce was jailed and later released on $1,000 bail.
—A juvenile female, 12, of Patterson, was arrested at 3:18 p.m. Thursday on the charge of uncontrollable juvenile. A deputy responded to a report of an ungovernable juvenile at a residence in Patterson. During the investigation, the deputy learned that the juvenile female and a guardian were involved in an argument during which the juvenile refused to comply with the guardian’s requests, Hebert said. The juvenile was released to a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.
—Breyden Oncale, 22, of the 1000 block of Onstead Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:20 a.m. today for failure to appear on the charges of direct contempt of court, operating a vehicle without properly lit lamps for conditions, and failure to honor written promise to appear. A deputy working in booking at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center in Centerville was notified of a May 13 warrant for Oncale who was already incarcerated at the facility, Hebert said. No bail is set.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.

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