Sheriff: Man caught with drugs after complaint

A report of illegal drug activity in Morgan City, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives caught a 22-year-old Patterson man with synthetic cannabinoids, several Xanax pills and more than $300 in cash, Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Tarrike Phillips, 22, of the 400 block of Williams Street in Patterson, was arrested at 6:25 p.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of Schedule I synthetic cannabinoids with intent to distribute, possession of Schedule IV (Xanax) with intent to distribute, transactions involving drug proceeds and resisting an officer.
After receiving a complaint of illegal drug activity on Birch Street in Morgan City, narcotics division detectives responded to the location and observed a man standing in between the opened passenger door and passenger seat of a parked vehicle, Hebert said.
As detectives went to make contact, the man saw the law enforcement officers and began to walk away from the vehicle. Detectives then observed the man bend down and place an item in his pants. Detectives detained him pending further investigation, Hebert said.
The suspect was identified as Phillips. During the investigation, Phillips repeatedly attempted to pull away from detectives. A pill bottle containing several Xanax pills was located where Phillips was standing. Phillips could not provide a prescription for the drug, Hebert said.
A synthetic cannabinoid cigarette, synthetic cannabinoids, and $373 in cash were found during a search of Phillip, the sheriff said. Also, detectives located a bag of synthetic cannabinoids on the passenger side floor board of the vehicle where Phillips had first been observed. Phillips was jailed with no bail set.
Hebert reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Michael Howard, 44, of the 300 block of Clarke Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:37 p.m. Thursday on two warrants for issuing worthless checks, a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of domestic abuse battery and two warrants for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family.
A deputy assigned to patrol the Amelia area observed a pick-up truck traveling on Lake Palourde Road with an expired motor vehicle inspection sticker and conducted a traffic stop. The deputy made contact with the driver, Howard, and learned that he was driving without insurance and without vehicle registration.
The deputy also discovered that Howard had multiple active warrants for his arrest. The deputy cited Howard for the traffic violations and transported Howard to the parish jail for booking on the warrants.
—Bruce Tallada Jr., 19, of the 500 block of Joey Street in Patterson, was arrested at 4:18 p.m. Thursday for theft over $1700. A deputy was dispatched to a store in Bayou Vista to investigate a complaint of theft. The deputy learned from the complainant that Tallada falsified over $1,700 in merchandise returns and pocketed the money. After gathering evidence of the felony, Tallada was jailed with no bail set.
—Joshua M. Lacoste, 40, of the 200 block of Brashear Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:46 p.m. Thursday on the charges of reckless operation of a vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia. A deputy responded to the Patterson area after receiving a complaint of a reckless driver in the vicinity of Emy and Natalie Lanes.
The deputy observed the suspect vehicle on Natalie Lane, conducted a traffic stop, and made contact with the driver identified as Lacoste. The deputy learned that Lacoste had driven his vehicle into residents’ yards in the area.
The deputy received consent to search the Lacoste’s vehicle and located a small plastic baggie inside a cigarette box containing a trace amount of a green leafy material believed to be an illegal substance. The deputy released Lacoste on a summons to appear in court on August 19, 2015.
—Anthony Wise, 55, of the 300 block of Cypress Village in Houma, was arrested at 3:09 a.m. today on the charges of possession of Schedule I synthetic marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving left of center.
A deputy assigned to patrol the Patterson and Calumet area observed a vehicle traveling at a slow rate of speed on U.S. 90. The deputy then observed the vehicle crossing both the center line and fog line multiple times. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, identified as Wise.
While speaking with Wise the deputy smelled the strong odor of burning synthetic drugs. The deputy received consent to search the vehicle and located 5 hand rolled cigarettes containing synthetic marijuana and three packets of the synthetic drug. The deputy also located rolling papers in the vehicle. Wise was jailed and released on a $3,750 bail.
—Lee Boudreaux, 40, of the 200 block of North Verret Street in Amelia, was arrested at 10:51 a.m. Wednesday on the charges of hit and run driving, driving under suspension, no insurance, on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of expired motor vehicle inspection and failure to honor written promise to appear
A deputy investigating a complaint of a hit and run crash that occurred on Beadle Street in Amelia identified Boudreaux as the driver who struck the victim’s vehicle. The deputy located Boudreaux at his residence and found damage on his vehicle that matched the area of impact on the victim’s vehicle.
The deputy also learned that Boudreaux was driving under suspension with no insurance and had an active warrant for his arrest. The deputy transported Boudreaux to the parish jail for booking. Boudreaux was released after posting a $2,550 bond.
—Frank R. Casteel, 28, no address given, was arrested at 11:09 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of failure to stop at a stop sign and driving under suspension. A deputy made contact with Casteel during a traffic stop on Myrtle Street in Morgan City and learned of the active warrant for his arrest. Bail is set at $10,000.
—Shazia E. Gaudet, 24, of the 100 block of Judy Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for domestic abuse battery. A deputy responding to an unrelated complaint on Judy Lane made contact with Gaudet and learned of the active warrant for her arrest. In January, a deputy responded to a report of domestic violence at a residence on Judy Lane. During the course of the investigation, the deputy learned that Gaudet struck a male victim in the head repeatedly during an argument. The deputy obtained the warrant for Gaudet’s arrest. No bail is set.
—Jamie Boudreaux, 52, of the 400 block of Charlotte Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for possession of Schedule I marijuana.
In April, jailers at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center located a small amount of marijuana in a prescription bottle brought to the facility for one of the inmates, Hebert said.
The bottle, which also contained legal prescription medicine, was brought for Boudreaux following her arrest on separate charges. Narcotics detectives learned that the marijuana belonged to Boudreaux and that the person who brought the prescription medicine to the jail for her had no knowledge that the illegal drug was inside, Hebert said.
Boudreaux had been released from jail on bail when the warrant was obtained for Boudreaux’s arrest for the possession charge. Narcotics detectives located Boudreaux at her residence on the warrant. Boudreaux was issued a summons to appear in court Aug. 19.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:
—Joshua Pojar, 31, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:59 a.m. Thursday on warrants for distribution of Schedule II (Suboxone) and conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal facility.
Officer located Pojar at his residence and placed him under arrest for outstanding warrants. The warrants stem from and investigation into items that were attempted to be smuggled into the Morgan City Police Department jail. The items were discovered by corrections officers and the investigation was turned over to detectives. Pojar was jailed.
—Danny Deese, 32, of Heflin, Alabama, was arrested at 10:40 a.m. Thursday on the charges of speeding 50 mph in a 35 mph zone and no driver’s license.
A patrol officer observed a vehicle speeding in the area of La. 182 and 11th Street. The officer determined by radar that the vehicle was speeding and conducted a traffic stop. Deese was jailed.
—Rachel King, 30, of Fifth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:42 p.m. Thursday on the charges of appearing in public intoxicated and obstructing public passage.
Officers responded to a complaint in the area of Sixth Street near the Morgan City Junior High School about a female in the middle of Sixth Street yelling and using profanity. The woman, identified as King, was located and officers found her to be intoxicated.

––Trey Simoneaux, 31, of Patterson, was arrested at 1:17 a.m. today on the charges of improper lane usage, driving under suspension, a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of expired inspection sticker, warrant charging him with simple assault, warrant for failure to appear on the charge of contempt of court and on a warrant for failure to appear for sentencing.
A patrol officer observed a vehicle traveling on La. 182 cross in and out of his travel lane several times. The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Simoneaux. He was jailed.
—Michael A. Francois, 24, of Lawrence Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:37 a.m. Wednesday on the charge of a vehicle with required equipment or in unsafe condition and driving under suspension.
A patrolling officer in the area of Federal Avenue near Onstead Street observed a vehicle with a damaged windshield on the driver’s side causing the driver’s view to be obstructed. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The officer asked the driver, Michael Francois for his driver’s license. Through a computer check it was determined that Francois’ driver’s license was under suspension. Francois was jailed and released on bail.
—Janet M. Stonebraker, 18, of Morgan City, was arrested at 5:17 p.m. Wednesday on warrants for possession of Schedule l marijuana), possession of Schedule II Vyvanse, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of a uniform controlled dangerous substance law (drug free zone). Stonebraker turned herself into the Morgan City Police Department and was jailed.
—Morgan A. Young, 31, of Lafayette, was arrested at 1:37 a.m. Thursday on the charges of failure to signal 100 feet prior to an intersection, resisting an officer by giving false information, possession of Schedule I marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant for failure to appear.
An officer in the area of Martin Luther King Boulevard noticed a vehicle fail to use a turn signal. The officer conducted a traffic stop. The driver, Young gave a fictitious name to officers and stated she did not have her license, police said.
Young later gave her proper identity, police said. Officers located suspected marijuana and items commonly used to smoke suspected marijuana in the vehicle, police said. Young was jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrest:
—Russell E. Plaisance, 33, of the 500 block of Rue Carnot in Carencro, was arrested at 3:45 a.m. Thursday on the charges of speeding 73 mph in a 55 mph zone, driving under suspension and possession of marijuana. No bail was set yet.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:
—Christopher Oubre, 19, of La. 182 in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:07 a.m. Wednesday on the charges of theft of goods, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana second offense, possession of Xanax and possession of drug paraphernalia. Oubre was awaiting bail to be set.

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