Police: Suspect tried to lure girl on Facebook

A 35-year-old Patterson man was charged this morning with soliciting sex from a minor after a Facebook conversation with a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office detective posing as a 15-year-old girl, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Louis James, 35, of the 100 block of Emy Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 12:10 a.m. today on a warrant for computer aided solicitation of a minor and indecent behavior with a juvenile. On Thursday, detectives received a complaint involving a minor and learned that James sent an inappropriate message to a 13-year-old girl on Facebook calling her “sweetie,” Hebert said.
The message had alarmed one of the juvenile’s parents who reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Office. Continuing the investigation, a detective posed as a 15-year-old girl on the social media site and agreed to meet James on Zenor Road in the Patterson area, Hebert said.
The Facebook conversation between James and the detective posing as the juvenile included plans for the two to engage in sexual acts, Hebert said. At about 10:30 p.m. Thursday, James arrived at the predetermined location to make contact but then fled from the area on foot and was quickly apprehended by other detectives waiting nearby, the sheriff said. James was jailed with no bail set.
Hebert reported responding to 47 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Hector Villareal, 25, of La. 182 in Siracusa, at 4:12 a.m. Thursday on the charges of driving while intoxicated, driver must be licensed, open alcoholic container in motor vehicles and improper parking.
A deputy assigned to patrol the Amelia area observed several vehicles swerving around another vehicle that was parked partially in the roadway on La. 182. The deputy observed the driver of the vehicle, identified as Villareal, sleeping at the wheel. The deputy observed Villareal to be in a highly intoxicated state. Villareal registered 0.297 grams-percent blood alcohol concentration on a breath test. The deputy transported Villareal to Franklin Foundation Hospital for treatment. Following Villareal’s release, he was jailed with no bail set.
—Charles Cantrell, 44, of the 100 block of Two Sisters Court in Morgan City, at 7:36 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of stalking. A deputy assigned to patrol the Bayou Vista area located Cantrell at his residence on the warrant. Cantrell was released on $10,000 bail.
—Tradasha L. Brooks, 19, of the 300 block of Taft Street in Patterson, at 12:31 p.m. Thursday on the charge of disturbing the peace fighting.
—Arielle E. Hunt, 20, of the 100 block of Yellow Bayou Road in Franklin, at 12:31 p.m. Thursday on the charge of disturbing the peace fighting.
—Waynisha D. Jones, 30, of the 1000 block of Ciro Street in Siracusa, at 1:12 p.m. Thursday on the charge of disturbing the peace fighting.
A deputy responded to a report of a fight near the intersection of Joseph Lane and Ciro Street in Siracusa. Upon arrival, the deputy observed three people fighting in the roadway. The subjects were identified as Brooks, Hunt and Jones. The three were released on summons to appear in court July 22.
—Shenell Jones, 38, of the 100 block of Emy Lane in Patterson, at 12:10 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for issuing worthless checks and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of issuing worthless checks. A deputy responded to a complaint of a disturbance on Emy Lane, made contact with Jones, and located the active warrants for her arrest. Jones was jailed and released on $5,500 bail.
—Miesha Moore, 34, of the 400 block of Halsey Street in Morgan City, at 1:06 p.m. Thursday on two warrants for failure to comply with the terms and conditions of drug court. Moore turned herself in at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center in Centerville. Bail is set at $200,000.
—Dean Beranek, 29, of the 100 block of Burchfield Lane in Berwick, at 2:54 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for second degree battery. At 1:52 a.m. Thursday, a deputy responded to a report of a robbery.
A detective learned that Beranek repeatedly struck a male victim while at a residence on Teche Road, Hebert said. Beranek and the victim knew each other, Hebert said. The motive remains under investigation. The victim suffered a shattered jaw in addition to other injuries, the sheriff said. Beranek came to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office in Morgan City in reference to the investigation and was subsequently arrested on the warrant. Beranek was released on $15,000 bail.
—Pamela Cain, 53, of the 100 block of Two Sisters Court in Bayou Vista, at 3:14 p.m. Thursday on warrants for failure to appear on the charge of criminal damage to property under $500 and for failure to appear on the charge of battery of a police officer and disturbing the peace by appearing in an intoxicated condition.
A deputy assigned to patrol the Bayou Vista area located Cain on the warrants at a business on La. 182. No bail is set.
—Justin Pellerin, 23, of the 500 block of Parish Road 131 in Franklin, at 5:03 p.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of Schedule III (anabolic steroid Dianabol), possession of Schedule III (anabolic steroid liquid testosterone), possession of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Narcotics detectives observed a vehicle swerving, hitting the median divider and crossing the fog line while traveling on U.S. 90 in Calumet, the sheriff said. Detectives conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver of the vehicle, who was identified as Pellerin.
During the traffic stop investigation, detectives received consent to search the vehicle and located a bag containing several steroid pills in the center console. Detectives also located a vial of liquid steroids, a syringe, and a pipe used to smoke marijuana in the vehicle.
Morgan City Assistant Police Chief Mark Griffin Jr. reported the following arrests:
—Thomas Tabor, 53, of Cypress Street in Morgan City, at 1:32 a.m. Thursday on the charges of resisting an officer by giving false information, possession of drug paraphernalia and simple assault.
A patrolling officer investigating a traffic violation came into contact with Thomas Tabor. Prior to identifying Tabor, he attempted to conceal his identity by using another name. The officer found suspected drug paraphernalia on Tabor, Griffin said. Officers also located identification on his person that indicated that he was Thomas Tabor. Tabor was arrested and transported to Morgan City Jail and during the booking process he took a fight stance and threatened to hit one of the officers. Tabor was booked and later released on bond.
—Ashley Dowdy, 29, of La. 182 West in Morgan City, at 10:14 a.m. Thursday on the charges of hit and run driving, driving under suspension and no insurance.
An officer conducting an investigation into a hit and run accident was alerted by a witness as to the location of the suspect vehicle, Griffin said. The officer identified Dowdy as the driver, who admitted to hitting a vehicle at a Roderick Street business and leaving the scene, Griffin said.
Dowdy was also was found to be driving with a suspended license and could not provide officers with proof of insurance. Dowdy was jailed and released after posting bail.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrest:
—Brandon Scott, 28, of the 400 block of Grout Street in Patterson, at 8:41 p.m. Thursday on the charges of theft and unauthorized use of an access card. No bail is set yet.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.

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