Sheriff: Man caught with drugs, guns during home search

A 35-year-old Amelia man was arrested Thursday on charges of possession with intent to distribute three different drugs after St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives searched his home and also found a rifle and shotgun hidden inside, Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Derek Gaskins, 35, of Friendship Alley in Amelia, was arrested at 3:31 p.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of hydrocodone with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, transactions involving drug proceeds and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone.
Narcotics division detectives initiated an investigation regarding illegal drug activity at Gaskins’ home. Detectives searched the home and located bags of meth, crack cocaine and marijuana, and a large amount of hydrocodone pills with street values of $2,500, Hebert said.
Detectives also located a rifle and shotgun hidden in the home, which is located near a church. Gaskins was jailed with no bail set.
Hebert reported responding to 49 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Eric Robertson, 53, of Mallard Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:10 p.m. Thursday on the charges of criminal trespass, resisting an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, obstruction of justice and drug free zone.
—Verelyn Cannon, 57, of Grace Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:10 p.m. Thursday on the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Mary Griffin, 47, of Utah Street in Berwick, was arrested at 6:10 p.m. Thursday on the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Tanisha Wilkerson, 40, of Grace Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:10 p.m. Thursday on the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Melvin Thibodaux, 47, of James Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:10 p.m. Thursday on the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Detectives answered a complaint regarding illegal drug activity at a home on Grace Street in Morgan City. Detectives responded to the home and observed Robertson flee the area. Robertson ran through neighboring yards but was caught shortly afterwards.
Detectives ultimately lo-cated crack cocaine and a pill bottle containing additional crack cocaine with razor blades in the area Robertson had been sitting in, Hebert said.
Investigators also located Cannon, Griffin, Thibodaux and Wilkerson in the living room area. Detectives located glass pipes in the living room area, along with crack cocaine in another area, Hebert said. Cannon was arrested and transported to the parish jail. Robertson was jailed with no bail set, while Can-non, Griffin, Thibodaux and Wilkerson were released on summonses to appear in court Oct. 17.
—Aquindus Humphrey, 20, of Village Lane in Amelia, was arrested at 11:57 a.m. Thursday on the charge of simple cruelty to animals.
—Raynel Humphrey, 54, of Village Lane in Amelia, was arrested at 9:47 a.m. Thursday on the charge of simple cruelty to animals.
A deputy patrolling the Amelia area responded to a complaint of a malnourished dog. The deputy located the dog on Village Lane, and owner, Aquindus Humphrey. The dog had been chained to a fence and appeared emaciated and was without adequate shelter, Hebert said. The dog had ant bites over its face and legs, the sheriff said.
During the investigation, the deputy also learned that Aquindus Humphrey’s mother, Raynel Humphrey, failed to improve the dog’s living conditions, Hebert said. Both were released on summonses to appear in court Oct. 17.
—Ashley Nicole Campbell, 34, of California Street in Berwick, was arrested at 11:25 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for failing to appear to court on charges of theft under $300. Deputies working an unrelated investigation came into contact with Campbell on California Street and learned of the active warrant. No bail is set.
—Seth Martin, 24, of California Street in Berwick, was arrested at 5:15 p.m. Thursday on the charge of theft. Deputies assigned to investigate a theft learned that Martin stole three quart-size jars of change from a home in Franklin. The jars of change were estimated to be worth a total of $20. Martin was released on a summons to appear in court Oct. 17.
—Patrick Levine, 45, of Belleview Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:13 a.m. today on the charges of possession of alcoholic beverages-open container in a motor vehicle.
A deputy assigned to patrol the Bayou Vista area responded to a report of a reckless driver on U.S. 90. The deputy located a vehicle matching the given description and conducted a traffic stop. The deputy made con-tact with the driver, Levine, and a cup containing liquor was located in the vehicle, Hebert said. Levine was released on a summons to appear in court Oct. 17.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:
—Landon A. Rodriguez, 35, of Saturn Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 5:13 a.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of clorazepate and improper lane usage.
A patrolling officer ob-served a vehicle on La. 182 traveling out of its lane of travel. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver of the vehicle was identified as Rodriguez. During a traffic investigation, reports indicate that Rodriguez’s behavior made officers suspicious that Rodriguez may be involved in illegal drug activity.
The officer searched the vehicle and located suspected methamphetamine and clorazepate. Rodriguez was jailed.
—Mary McIntosh, 53, of Keith Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:29 a.m. Thursday on the charges of improper following of vehicles and DWI.
Officers responded to the intersection of U.S. 90 and La. 70 in regard to a vehicle crash. Officers arrived and identified McIntosh as the driver of one of the vehicles involved. During a traffic investigation, McIntosh was suspected to have been intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics, Blair said.
McIntosh submitted to the Intoxilyzer 5000 test, which yielded a blood alcohol concentration of .000 grams-percent. Police got a search warrant to screen a sample of McIntosh’s blood, Blair said. McIntosh was transported to a medical facility where a blood sample was taken to be sent to a crime lab for analysis. McIntosh was jailed.
—Jason P. Cavalier Jr., 41, of Hilda Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:42 p.m. Thursday on warrants charging him with two counts of criminal mischief and illegal discharge of a firearm within the city limits.
Cavalier was located by officers at an address on Hilda Street where Cavalier was arrested. The warrants stem from an investigation into two incidents reported on Hilda Street, one of alleged criminal mischief July 1, and another July 2 of alleged criminal mischief and discharging of a firearm within the city limits. Cavalier was jailed.
—Shawn P. Francois, 38, of Jupiter Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 6:25 p.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Narcotics detectives saw a vehicle on La. 70 traveling out of its lane of travel and stopped the vehicle. The driver was identified as Francois. Francois’ behavior made officers suspicious that he may be involved in illegal narcotics activity.
Investigators searched the vehicle and located suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Francois was jailed.
—Brennan Cubbage, 18, of Terrebonne Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:40 p.m. Thursday on warrants charging him with contempt of court and simple battery.
Cubbage turned himself in at the police department in regard to warrants. The battery warrant stems from an investigation into an incident on La. 182 reported Sept. 10, 2015, of an alleged battery. Cubbage was jailed.
—Heather M. Renthrop, 27, of Stephensville Road in Stephensville, was arrested at 11:14 p.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Jason J. Zimmerman, 30, of Stephensville Road in Stephensville, was arrested at 11:14 p.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of marijuana.
A patrolling officer ob-served a suspicious vehicle traveling inside Lake End Park and stopped the vehicle. Renthrop was identified as the driver and Zimmerman as a passenger.
Renthrop and Zimmerman’s behavior made the officer suspicious that they may be involved in illegal drug activity, Blair said. The officer searched the vehicle and located suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Both Renthrop and Zimmerman were jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.