Sheriff: Man intended to distribute several drugs

A 26-year-old Centerville man was caught with crystal meth, marijuana and Xanax pills Sunday after a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped a vehicle in Bayou Vista, Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—John Demarco, 26, of the 100 block of Chris Lane in Centerville, was arrested at 8:20 p.m. Sunday on the charges of possession of a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, marijuana, with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule II substance, methamphetamine, with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule IV substance, Xanax, with intent to distribute, violation of a controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone), possession of drug paraphernalia, a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle with a suspended license and following too closely, and a City Court of Franklin warrant for failure to appear on the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
A deputy observed Demarco, a suspect wanted on an active warrant, traveling as a passenger in a car in Bayou Vista. The deputy stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Field and Middle roads and detained Demarco. While speaking with the driver, the deputy smelled the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle, Hebert said.
The deputy received con-sent to search the car from the driver and located multiple small plastic baggies containing marijuana, crystallized methamphetamine and Xanax pills where Demarco had been seated. The deputy also located a digital scale and a glass pipe that had been used to smoke marijuana. The investigation was conducted near a school. Demarco was jailed with no bail set.
Hebert reported responding to 122 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Anthony Jones, 35, of the 1000 block of Nolan Street in Donaldsonville, was arrested at 2:18 p.m. Friday on the charges of unlawful use of state-issued identification to gain access to a gaming establishment and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of issuing worthless checks.
—Courtney Jarvis, 34, of the 300 block of Belle Rose Lane in Belle Rose, was arrested at 2:18 p.m. Friday on the charges of unlawful use of state-issued identification to gain access to a gaming establishment, flight from an officer, resisting a police officer with force or violence, resisting a police officer by giving false information and possession of Schedule I methamphetamine.
A deputy responded to a complaint of two people attempting to use the same ID card to gain entry into the Amelia Belle Casino. The deputy made contact with Jarvis, who originally gave the deputy a false name. The deputy found evidence that Jarvis was attempting to use Jones’ ID to enter the casino. Jones was already inside the gaming establishment.
During the investigation, Jarvis fled on foot. With the assistance of casino security, the deputy located Jarvis hiding in a van in the parking lot. The deputy also located a small plastic baggy containing methamphetamine in the van where Jarvis was hiding. While the deputy was apprehending Jarvis, he pulled away from the deputy, Sheriff’s Office Spokeswoman Traci Landry said.
Jones was located inside the casino. Both suspects were transported to the parish jail for booking. Jones was released on $1,500 bail. No bail is set for Jarvis.
—Christopher G. Fryar, 32, of the 300 block of Mill Road in Patterson, was arrested at 5:15 p.m. Friday on the charges of theft, resisting an officer, reckless operation of a vehicle and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of issuing worthless checks.
On Thursday afternoon, a deputy responded to a com-plaint of shoplifting at a store in Bayou Vista. Shortly after speaking with store personnel, the deputy observed a man matching the suspect’s description exiting the store. When the deputy made contact with the man, he refused to comply with the deputy’s orders and fled from the area, nearly striking a store employee, Hebert said.
During the investigation, the deputy identified the suspect as Fryar who also had a warrant for his arrest. Fryar is seen on video surveillance taking items from the shelves and then returning the items that he did not pay for and receiving a cash refund.
On Friday, another deputy traveling on Sixth Street observed Fryar riding a bicycle and detained him. Following the investigation, Fryar was booked into the parish jail and released after posting $4,000 bail.
—Caesar Romero, 51, of the 100 block of Jupiter Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 7:45 p.m. Friday on the charges of possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles.
A deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driving with no headlights on La. 182 in Bayou Vista. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Romero. While speaking with Romero, another deputy providing backup assistance observed an open bottle of beer inside the vehicle. Following the traffic stop investigation, Romero was released on a summons to appear in court May 27.
—Danesha Moore, 26, of the 500 block of Taft Street in Patterson, was arrested at 7:44 p.m. Friday on the charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and possession of open alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles.
A deputy responding to a reckless driving complaint located the suspect vehicle at a business in Patterson and made contact with the driver, Moore. The deputy observed that Moore was exhibiting several indicators of impairment. Moore performed poorly on the field sobriety test. Following the investigation, Moore was booked into the parish jailed with no bail set.
—Pedro O. Soto, 41, of Two Sisters Court in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 2:54 a.m. Saturday on the charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, driver must be licensed and driving left of center.
A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle swerving off the roadway and into the oncoming lane of travel and conducted a traffic stop. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Soto, and smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, Hebert said. The deputy administered a field sobriety test, on which Soto conducted poorly. Soto later registered 0.170 grams-percent on a breath test. Soto was booked and released after posting $2,000 bail.
—Cornelius Gant Jr., 58, of the 400 block of Cleveland Street in Patterson, was arrested at 4:21 a.m. today on the charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated second offense, no headlamps, failure to signal a lane change and improper lane usage.
A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle traveling on La. 182 in the oncoming lane of travel with no headlights and conducted a traffic stop. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Gant, and smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath.
The deputy administered a field sobriety test. Gant conducted the test poorly, showing multiple signs of impairment. Gant refused to take a breath test, Hebert said. Following the investigation, Gant was jailed and released after posting $3,250 bail.
—Sherry L. Cooper, 31, of the 7100 block of Park Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:57 a.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to comply with court orders. A deputy located Cooper at her residence on the warrant. Cooper was booked into the parish jail and released on recognizance bail.
—Kayla M. Davis, 27, of the 100 block of Moon Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 10:43 a.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of careless operation of a motor vehicle and operating a vehicle not covered by security (no insurance).
A deputy located Davis at her residence on the warrant and transported her to the parish jail for booking. Davis was released on $750 bail.
—Timothy Bertsch, 58, of the 700 block of Commerce Street in New Orleans, was arrested at 10:01 p.m. Saturday on the charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, improper lane usage and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A deputy responding to a report of a reckless driver on U.S. 90 observed a vehicle swerving off the roadway and conducted a traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, Bertsch, the deputy smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, Hebert said.
The deputy performed a field sobriety test and ob-served that Bertsch displayed multiple indicators of impairment. Bertsch refused to take a breath test. After the traffic stop investigation was complete, Bertsch was jailed and released after posting $3,250 bail.
—Amy E. Grow, 34, of the 500 block of Orange Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:48 a.m. Sunday on a warrant for possession of Schedule I, third or subsequent offense, violation of a controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone), and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of persons under 17 years of age. With the assistance of Morgan City Police, a deputy located Grow at her home on the warrant. Grow was jailed with no bail set.
—Michael Wilkerson, 25, of the 200 block of Mars Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:09 p.m. Sunday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of disturbing the peace by using offensive words. With assistance from Berwick Police, a deputy located Wilkerson at a residence on California Street on the warrant. Wilkerson was jailed and released on $250 bail.
—Desirae Eastling, 34, of the 3600 block of Lake Palourde Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:38 p.m. Sunday on the charges of driving under suspension and no tail lamps. A deputy patrolling Amelia observed a vehicle traveling on Lakeview Lane with no tail lights and conducted a traffic stop on Lake Palourde Road. The deputy made contact with the driver, Eastling, and found that she was operating a vehicle with a driver’s license that was listed as suspended. Eastling was released on a summons to appear in court May 27.
—Cheryl Ledet, 44, of the 2800 block of Second Street in Berwick, was arrested at 11:52 a.m. Friday on a war-rant for distribution of Schedule III suboxone and introduction of contraband into a penal institution. Ledet turned herself in at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center in Centerville. No bail is set. This arrest was made on a warrant as part of Spring Cleaning operation.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:
—Orlando Flores, 36, of Duke Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7 p.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with probation violation.
Flores turned himself in to the Morgan City Police Department for an active warrant he held for the 6th Ward City Court. Flores was jailed.
—Tyrone F. Thomas, 51, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:16 a.m. Saturday on the charge of driving while intoxicated first offense.
Officers were dispatched to a local convenience store on La. 182 in regard to an individual that had been previously banned. Officers received information that the individual had gotten to a vehicle and was leaving the area.
Officers located the vehicle in the area of La. 182 near Ditch Avenue. The driver, Thomas, was asked to exit the vehicle and showed signs of impairment, Blair said.
Thomas performed poorly on a field sobriety test. Thomas was transported to the Morgan City Police Department. Thomas submitted to a chemical test for intoxication, which yielded 0.194 grams-percent blood alcohol content.
—Leonard A. Yarborough, 54, of Fourth Street in Berwick, was arrested at 6 p.m. Saturday on the charges of simple assault, simple battery and disturbing the peace intoxicated.
Officers were dispatched to the area of La. 182 and Ditch Avenue in regard to someone committing a battery on another person. When officers arrived, the victim stated that Yarborough had committed a battery on him and made several threats towards him, Blair said.
Officers located Yarborough at a business on Ditch Avenue. Yarborough appeared intoxicated, and when officers asked about the incident, he became loud and began using profanities, Blair said. Yarborough was jailed.
—Johnathon Priestley, 22, of Fourth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:41 a.m. Sunday on warrants charging him with failure to appear to pay probation fees and probation violation.
Police located Priestley on Gen. MacArthur Street and discovered Priestley held active warrants for the 6th Ward City Court. Priestley was jailed.
—Eduard Cabrera, 34, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:15 a.m. today on warrants for failure to pay a fine on the charge of no insurance and failure to pay a fine on the charge of careless operation.
Cabrera turned himself in to the Morgan City Police Department for active war-rants he held for the 6th Ward City Court. Cabrera was jailed.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:
—Mark Eugene, 51, of the 600 block of Terrebonne Street in Patterson, was arrested at 7:48 p.m. Friday on the charge of obscenity. Eugene was accused of inappropriately touching himself outside of a house in front of several witnesses, police said. No bail is set yet.
—Jana Jones, 40, of the 1400 block of First Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11:47 a.m. Friday on a war-rant for theft of goods and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Jones was released on $2,500 bail.
—Frankie Hue, 58, of the 2300 block of Lake End Park in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:20 a.m. Saturday on the charges of possession of marijuana first offense and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hue was released on $3,500 bail.
—Charleston Grogan, 20, of the 200 block of Grandwood Apartments in Patterson, was arrested at 2:04 p.m. Saturday on the charges of simple battery involving domestic abuse third offense. No bail is set yet.
—Arthur Gant, 57, of the 400 block of Cleveland Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11:54 a.m. Sunday on the charges of no driver’s license and possession of drug paraphernalia third offense. No bail is set.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:
—Damien Keller, 32, of the 300 block of Saturn Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 8:47 p.m. Saturday on the charges of driving under suspension, two tail lights required, expired license plate and St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrants charging him with domestic abuse battery, theft and probation and parole violation. No bail is set.