Numerous arrests made in meth lab bust

Three people were arrested Thursday in Morgan City for creating a meth lab as a result of an investigation into illegal drug activity that began Wednesday, Morgan City Police Chief Travis Crouch said in a news release.
—Melissa Chavers, 45, and Brooke Fuselier, 25, of Duke Street in Morgan City, were arrested at 9:12 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for creation of a clandestine lab. Chavers was also charged with possession of a Schedule III controlled dangerous substance-Tylenol with codeine.
On Wednesday, detectives executed a search warrant at a Chester Bowles Street residence based on an investigation into illegal narcotics activity at the residence. Detectives located synthetic marijuana and items of paraphernalia which led to the arrest of Tara Loupe.
Detectives also uncovered evidence of a clandestine lab used to produce methamphetamine. Detectives continued to investigation and were able to identify two suspects in the alleged clandestine lab, Crouch said. Chavers and Fuselier were jailed.
—Fernando Soto, 49, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:40 p.m. Thursday for two counts of creating or operating a clandestine lab for the unlawful manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance, producing or distributing a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, and creating or operating a clandestine lab within 1,000 feet of school property.
Detectives uncovered evidence which led the investigators to a Sixth Street residence near Morgan City Junior High School where Soto was suspected of the production of methamphetamine. Detectives executed a search warrant at the residence in the 1100 block of Sixth Street and uncovered materials used in the production and distribution of methamphetamine, Crouch said. He was also implicated as participating in the production of the drug at other locations. Soto was jailed.
Morgan City Police Travis Crouch reported the following arrests:
—Jeremiah J. Aucoin, 31, of Pluto Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to pay a fine for shoplifting. Aucoin turned himself in to Morgan City police and was jailed.
—Erick Tacain Juares, 32, of Amelia, was arrested at 6 p.m. Thursday for no driver’s license and failure to yield at intersection.
Officers received a complaint of a vehicle crash at the intersection of David Drive and Victor II Boulevard. Juares was jailed and released on bail.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported the following arrests:
—Jonathan W. Ashley, 25, of the 5700 block of La. 182 in Franklin, was arrested at 4:45 p.m. for theft of goods. A deputy responded to a complaint of shoplifting at a store in Bayou Vista. The deputy learned from store personnel that Ashley was seen removing the price tag off of an item and then returning it to customer service for a refund without having paid for the item. Ashley was jailed with bail set at $1,000.
—Crystal Eaves, 31, of the 200 block of Mercury Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1 a.m. today for disturbing the peace intoxicated. A deputy responding to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle on Universe Street in Bayou Vista made contact with Eaves who appeared to be highly intoxicated. After witnessing that Eaves was slurring her speech and unable to stand on her own, the deputy contacted Acadian Ambulance. Eaves was subsequently taken to Teche Regional Medical Center. While at the hospital, the deputy also learned that Eaves caused a disturbance at a lounge in Bayou Vista. Upon her release from the medical facility, Eaves was jailed with bail set at $500.
—Renata Harris, 33, of the 1200 block of South Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 10:35 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of speeding. A deputy responding to a vehicle crash on U.S. 90 in Bayou Vista made contact with Harris who was a passenger in one of the vehicles. The deputy learned that Harris held an active warrant for arrest. Harris was jailed and released on $349.50 bail.
—Stephen M. Fournier, 24, of the 5200 block of Bayou Black Drive in Gibson, was arrested at 12:57 p.m. Wednesday on two warrants for issuing worthless checks. A deputy located Fournier at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office in Morgan City on the warrant. He was released on a summons to appear in court Jan. 31.
—Amanda L. Williams, 28, of the 100 block of Shady Grove in Patterson, was arrested at 4:28 p.m. Wednesday for theft of goods at a store in Bayou Vista. Williams was released on a summons to appear in court Jan. 31.
—Kimaya Joseph, 20, of the 400 block of Morris Street in Franklin, was arrested at 7 p.m. Wednesday for theft of goods at a store in Bayou Vista. Joseph was released on a summons to appear in court Jan. 31.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.