Narcotics suspects face new charges

Suspects in a narcotics investigation that began in April face more charges, after they were caught trying to smuggle contraband into the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center in Centerville, according to a sheriff’s office news release.
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division developed information that James Guerin Jr. was selling crystal meth in the area.
On April 15, Guerin fled from authorities into a bayou. During the subsequent search for Guerin, detectives received information that he was at a residence on Florence Street in Morgan City, the release said.
Detectives received consent to search the residence and observed a bag of methamphetamine and a bag of marijuana in the house. Through further investigation, detectives also located Soma pills and items of drug paraphernalia including a scale, a pipe used to smoke methamphetamine, plastic baggies, and rolling papers. Detectives obtained a warrant for resident Brandy L. Fields, for the drug offenses, the release said.
Guerin was arrested April 17 on a warrant for distribution of Schedule II (methamphetamine) and possession of Schedule I (marijuana) fourth offense, among other charges.
Joni Madison, Guerin’s girlfriend, was also arrested on the charge of obstruction of justice for aiding Guerin in evading capture by authorities, the release said.
Continuing the investigation into Guerin’s involvement in illegal drug activity, detectives learned that Guerin conspired with Madison and Jason Cooper to conduct street level sales of a substantial amount of methamphetamine (crystal meth) in St. Mary Parish.
On Monday, narcotics detectives, along with members of the Morgan City Police Department Narcotics Division, executed a search warrant at Cooper’s residence in Berwick and located several bags of methamphetamine.
Detectives also collected evidence that Guerin conspired with Madison and John Buck to smuggle tobacco, rolling papers, lighters, mobile phones, and mobile phone chargers into the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center in Centerville where Guerin was incarcerated, the release stated.
Narcotics and Criminal Investigation Division detectives set up surveillance near the corrections facility and intercepted a package delivered by Madison and Buck. Detectives retrieved the package, found the contraband items, and obtained warrants for their arrest, the release said.
—James Guerin Jr., 36, of the 5300 block of La. 182 in Calumet, is additionally charged on a warrant for the charges of conspiracy to distribute more than 28 grams of methamphetamine and two counts of attempting to introduce contraband into a penal institution. The additional charges were filed May 5.
—Joni L. Madison, 34, of the 5300 block of La. 182 in Calumet, was arrested at 6:04 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for two counts of attempting to introduce contraband into a penal institution. Madison was located at a residence on Sixth Street in Morgan City. Madison was jailed with bail set at $50,000.
—John Buck Jr., 28, of the 200 block of Ricohoc Drive in Ricohoc, was arrested at 5:34 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant charging him with two counts of attempting to introduce contraband into a penal institution. Buck was released after posting $10,000 bail.
—Brandy L. Fields, 34, of the 1000 block of Florence Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:12 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging her with possession of Schedule II (methamphetamine), possession of Schedule I (marijuana), possession of Schedule II (Soma) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Fields was jailed with no bail set.
Also arrested previously in connection with the monthlong investigation was Tyler Brewer, James Aucoin, Brooke McManus, and Jordon Bourque, the release stated.