Three booked in drug bust after stop

Three people were caught in a drug bust Monday after a traffic stop in Morgan City yielded marijuana believed to be packaged for distribution, along with cash allegedly from drug sales and other drug-related items, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.
—Taj M. Broussard, 20, of Texas Street in Lafayette, was arrested at 10:22 p.m. Monday on the charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, transaction involving drug proceeds and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance laws.
—Lakesha R. Griffin, 21, of Taft Street in Patterson, was arrested at 10:22 p.m. Monday on the charges of possession of marijuana, possession of MDMA, or ecstasy, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance laws and improper lane usage.
—Jasmine Roberson, 19, of Henry Street in Patterson, was arrested at 10:22 p.m. Monday on the charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance laws.
Narcotics investigators observed a vehicle on La. 182 near Ditch Avenue in Morgan City traveling out of its designated lane of travel. A traffic stop was conducted when the occupants of the vehicle, identified as driver Griffin, and passengers Broussard and Roberson. During a traffic investigation, the occupants made investigators suspicious that they may be involved in illegal drug activity.
A search of the vehicle was conducted when investigators located suspected marijuana, MDMA-ecstasy and drug paraphernalia. Investigators located more suspected marijuana that officers believed to be packaged for distribution on Broussard and cash believed to have been obtained from sales of illegal drugs.
The location of the incident was within the area of a drug free zone in violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance laws. Broussard, Griffin and Roberson were jailed.
Blair reported the following arrests:
—Leonard M. Colt, 19, of Shell Beach Road in Pierre Part, was arrested at 3:14 a.m. Friday on the charges of driving under suspension, DWI, flight from an officer, improper lighting-lights required, possession of an open alcoholic beverage inside vehicle and stop sign violation.
A patrolling officer observed a vehicle traveling on Ninth Street near Willard Street with no lights. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop when the vehicle failed to stop. A vehicle chase ensued for several blocks when the vehicle was observed to disregarding several stop signs.
The vehicle then stopped on Marguerite Street near Sixth Street, and the driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Responding officers captured Colt, and officers observed an open alcoholic container inside the vehicle.
Colt, who was believed to be intoxicated, was transported to the police department for further chemical testing where Colt submitted to the Intoxilyzer 5000 test, yielding a blood alcohol concentration of 0.133 grams-percent. Colt was jailed.
—Shade Suire, 24, of Chestnut Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:28 p.m. Friday on the charges of possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A patrolling officer observed a vehicle stopped in the middle of the roadway at Shaw Drive and Levee Road. As the officer approached the vehicle, a man was observed in the driver seat appearing to be unconscious. The driver was awaken and identified as Suire, whose behavior made officers suspicious that he may be involved in illegal narcotics activity.
A search of the vehicle was conducted, and the officer located suspected heroin and drug paraphernalia. Suire was jailed.
—Willis R. Junifer, 57, of Robin Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:30 p.m. Friday on the charge of disturbing the peace.
—Clarence Junifer, 56, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:38 p.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with probation violation.
Officers responded to a home on Robin Street in regard to a reported disturbance. Police arrived and located two people involved in the alleged disturbance, Willis Junifer and Clarence Junifer. Officers observed Willis Junifer shouting and using offensive language. Willis Junifer failed to heed the officers warning about his disruptive behavior and was arrested.
Clarence Junifer was found to have an active warrant through the city court and was also arrested. Both were jailed.
—Jeffery Phillips, 56, of Park Street in Patterson, was arrested at 9:17 p.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with domestic abuse battery.
Officers located Phillips at a home on First Street where he was arrested on a warrant. The warrant stems from an investigation into an incident reported May 4 of an alleged domestic battery. Phillips was jailed.
—Ashley M. Dowdy, 30, of Panama City, Florida, was arrested at 1:09 a.m. Saturday on warrants for failure to appear on the charges of two counts of hit-and-run, no vehicle insurance and driving under suspension.
Dowdy was arrested at the police department in regard to several city court warrants. Dowdy was jailed.
—Brittany Morgan, 26, of St. Claire Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:22 a.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of disturbing the peace and a warrant charging her with contempt of court.
Officers located Morgan at a home on Duke Street and arrested her on city court warrants. Morgan was jailed.
—Charles Lodrigue, 37, of Belanger Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:49 a.m. Saturday on the charges of possession of marijuana, possession of Suboxone and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Officers responded to an address on Franklin Street in regard to removing a subject from the home. As officers arrived, they saw a person running from the home and into a nearby building. The complainant told police that Lodrigue was the person seen running from the home and that Lodrigue had been involved in a disturbance there.
Officers found Lodrigue at a nearby building and detained him for further investigation. During the investigation, officers located suspected marijuana, Suboxone and drug paraphernalia in the building where Lodrigue attempted to hide from officers. Police located evidence that supported that the illegal contraband belonged to Lodrigue. Lodrigue was jailed.
—Therina L. Russell, 41, of Duke Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:44 p.m. Saturday on warrants for failure to appear on the charges of possession of marijuana and theft by shoplifting.
Police located Russell at a home on Duke Street and arrested her on city court warrants. Russell was jailed.
—Nicole M. Fisher, 45, of Patterson, was arrested at 6:38 p.m. Saturday on the charges of theft of goods, possession of alprazolam, possession of buprenorphine sublingual, possession of clonazepam, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An officer responded to a drug store on Seventh Street in regard to a reported shoplifter. The officer arrived and was told that a woman known to be Fisher had just exited the store and had set off the theft alarm while doing so. The officer spoke with Fisher, who was detained for further investigation.
During the investigation, police found several items in Fisher’s purse that belonged to the store and were not paid for, valued at $68.24. The officer also located suspected alprazolam, buprenorphine sublingual, clonazepam, marijuana and drug paraphernalia on Fisher. Fisher was jailed.
—Brennan M. Acosta, 23, of Willow Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11 p.m. Saturday on the charge of speeding 61 mph in a 45 mph zone and a warrant charging him with simple battery.
A patrolling officer saw a vehicle on La. 70 traveling at a high rate of speed. The officer clocked the vehicle at 61 mph in a 45 mph speed zone. The officer stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Acosta.
A warrants check revealed that Acosta had an active arrest warrant. The warrant was obtained from an investigation conducted by police of an incident reported March 11 of an alleged battery. Acosta was jailed.
—Wilson J. Norris Jr., 45, of Franklin Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:53 a.m. Sunday on the charges of speeding 47 mph in a 35 mph speed zone and DWI.
A patrolling officer observed a vehicle traveling on La. 182 at a high rate of speed. The officer clocked that vehicle at 47 mph in a 35 mph speed zone. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver of the vehicle identified as Norris. During a traffic investigation, reports indicated that Norris was believed to be intoxicated.
Norris was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for further chemical testing where Norris submitted to the Intoxilyzer 5000, yielding a blood alcohol concentration of 0.116 grams-percent. Norris was jailed.
—Ivan Campos, 33, of Denton, Texas, was arrested at 2:29 a.m. Sunday on the charges of hit-and-run and careless operation of a motor vehicle.
Officers responded to the area of La. 182 near Everett Street in regard to a vehicle striking several signs and fleeing the area. A responding officer observed a vehicle matching the description with damage to the vehicle traveling west on U.S. 90.
A traffic stop was conducted and the driver identified as Campos. During a traffic investigation, reports indicate that the officers found evidence that Campos’ vehicle had struck the signs and fled the scene. Campos was jailed.
—Crystal Thompson, 38, of Fifth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:08 a.m. Sunday on warrants charging her with theft and unauthorized use of an access card.
Officers located Thompson at an address on La. 182 where she was arrested on warrants. The warrants were obtained from an investigation conducted of an incident reported July 28 of an alleged theft and unauthorized use of an access card. Thompson was jailed.
—Amanda Trim, 35, of Field Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 4:21 p.m. Sunday on the charges of possession of marijuana and careless operation of a motor vehicle.
An officer responded to the U.S. exit ramp at La. 182 in regard to a single-vehicle crash. The officer arrived and identified the driver of the vehicle as Trim, who allegedly lost control of the vehicle and struck the guard rail. During a traffic investigation, Trim’s behavior made officers suspicious that she may be involved in illegal drug activity.
The officer located suspected marijuana during a search of the vehicle. Trim was jailed.
—Ciara V. Williams, 28, of Third Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:50 p.m. Sunday on a warrant charging her with theft.
An officer located Williams on General McArthur Street and arrested her on a warrant. The warrant stems from an investigation into an incident reported Dec. 23 of an alleged theft. Williams was jailed.
—Marita L. Turner, 26, of Terrebonne Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:58 a.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of possession of marijuana. Officers located Turner at a home on Terrebonne Street and arrested her on a warrant. Turner was jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 198 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Rick H. Eschliman, 57, of Ellzey Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:46 p.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of clonazepam and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A narcotics detective conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on U.S. 90 in the Patterson area. During the stop, the detective made contact with a passenger, identified as Eschliman.
While speaking with him, the detective found that Eschliman had four clonazepam pills in a prescription bottle but was unable to provide a prescription for the pills. The detective also located syringes and an aluminum can suspected of being used to mix drugs for injecting. Eschliman was jailed and released on $3,500 bail.
—Alejandro Valero Gutierrez, 30, of Cremo Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 12:40 p.m. Thursday on two Morgan City warrants for probation violation and failure to appear on the charge of possession of marijuana.
While responding to an unrelated complaint on Cremo Lane, a deputy made contact with Gutierrez and located the active warrants for his arrest. Gutierrez was taken to parish jail and later transferred to the Morgan City Police Department jail.
—Addie M. Guidry, 37, of Two Sisters Court in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3:08 p.m. Thursday on the charge of criminal trespass.
A deputy responded to a complaint of trespassing and shoplifting at a store in Bayou Vista. The deputy learned from store personnel that Guidry went into the business after being told on several occasions that she was not to return to the store.
The deputy also found evidence that Guidry was in the store with another person who was seen shoplifting. The deputy located Guidry on Belleview Street. Guidry was released on a summons to appear in court March 8. The case remains under investigation.
—Shawn Boudreaux, 37, of Martin Road in Centerville, was arrested at 12:05 a.m. Friday on the charges of disturbing the peace and criminal trespass.
A deputy responded to reports of a suspicious person on Field Road in Bayou Vista. The deputy detained a male subject, identified as Boudreaux, in the area. The deputy positively identified Boudreaux as the person seen running through several yards in the area, knocking on residents’ doors. Boudreaux was jailed and released on $1,250 bail.
—A juvenile male, 16, of Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:05 a.m. Friday for failure to signal a turn 100 feet prior to an intersection and possession of marijuana.
A deputy observed a vehicle fail to signal a turn onto Canal Road in Bayou Vista and conducted a traffic stop. The deputy spoke with the driver, a juvenile, and smelled the strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. During the investigation, the deputy located a small amount of marijuana in the car. The juvenile was release to a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.
—Brandon Fontenot, 19, of Parlange Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:16 p.m. Friday on the charges of failure to signal 100 feet prior to an intersection and possession of marijuana.
A deputy observed a vehicle fail to signal a turn onto Middle Road and conducted a traffic stop. The deputy spoke with the driver, Fontenot, and smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The deputy received consent to search the car and located a bag of marijuana. Fontenot was released on a summons to appear in court March 8.
—Michael Federer Jr., 26, of General Mouton Road in Lafayette, was arrested at 10:30 a.m. Saturday on the charges of speeding, driving under suspension, and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of driving under suspension and speeding.
A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle speeding 58 mph in a posted 45 mph zone. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, identified as Federer. The deputy found that Federer was operating the car with a suspended driver’s license and that he had an active warrant for his arrest. Federer was jailed and released on $750 bail.
—Deborah Lacoste, 58, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:04 p.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of manufacturing marijuana and violation of a controlled dangerous substance law-drug free zone. A deputy located Lacoste at a medical facility in Morgan City. Lacoste was jailed with no bail set.
—Rosendo Sanchez-Perez, 46, of Lake Palourde Road in Amelia, was arrested at 6:02 p.m. Saturday on the charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, careless operation of a motor vehicle and no driver’s license. Deputies investigating a three-vehicle crash on Lake Palourde Road identified Sanchez-Perez as the driver of a vehicle that rear-ended another vehicle which in turn struck the vehicle in front of it.
While speaking with Sanchez-Perez, deputies smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath and person. Deputies conducted a field sobriety test on which Sanchez-Perez performed poorly. He later registered 0.225 grams-percent blood alcohol concentration on a breath test. Deputies also found that Sanchez-Perez was operating the vehicle without a driver’s license. Sanchez-Perez was transported to the parish jail for booking. Sanchez-Perez was released after posting $3,250 bail.
—Brandy G. Legendre, 32, of Joey Street in Patterson, was arrested at 4:56 a.m. Sunday on the charge of simple battery. During an investigation into an incident at a residence in Patterson, a deputy contacted Acadian Ambulance for Legendre who stated that she wished to go to the hospital.
While inside the ambulance, Legendre struck a medic. After receiving medical attention at an area hospital, Legendre was jailed and released on $2,500 bail.
—John Gibson, 52, of Avenue L in Nederland, Texas, was arrested at 10:21 p.m. Sunday on the charges of driving under suspension and maximum speed limit violation. A deputy observed a vehicle traveling 70 mph in a 45 mph zone on La. 182 in Morgan City.
The deputy conducted a traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, Gibson, the deputy found that he was operating the vehicle with a suspended driver’s license. Gibson was released on a summons to appear in court April 5.
—Brittney N. Fisher, 26, of Ohmer Street in Amelia, was arrested at 11:53 a.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges for possession of alprazolam and disturbing the peace intoxicated.
A deputy patrolling Amelia was approached by a woman. While speaking with her, the deputy identified her as Fisher and located the active warrant for her arrest. Fisher was jailed with bail set at $10,000.
—Jauntiel James, 29, of Robertson Street in Franklin, was arrested at 5:51 p.m. Monday on the charge of theft of goods.
A deputy responded to a complaint of theft at a store in Bayou Vista. The deputy collected evidence that James, an employee of the store, failed to scan some items for several customers, one of which was a family member. The items totaled just over $240. James was released on a summons to appear in court April 5.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:
—Trent Dehart, 18, of Jake Street in Patterson, was arrested at 3:19 a.m. Sunday on the charges of theft and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. Dehart was released on $2,000 bail.
—Cameron Jackson, 17, of Sun Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 4:36 a.m. Sunday on the charges of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles and possession of marijuana. Jackson was jailed on $4,000 bail.
—Kendall Banks, 21, of Foxglove Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 8:56 a.m. Monday on the charges of possession of marijuana second offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of domestic abuse battery and driving under suspension and speeding 64 mph in a 45 mph zone. No bail is set yet.
—Blake Lambert, 22, of Shannon Road in Patterson, was arrested at 9:20 p.m. Monday on the charge of windshield view must be unobstructed and on a warrant charging him with theft. Lambert was released on $1,750 bail.
—Preston Hoskins, 25, of Adams Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:10 a.m. Tuesday on the charges of license plate light required, improper lane usage, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance. No bail is set yet.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrest:
—Melissa A. Adams, 38, of Haney Street in Patterson, was arrested at 10:47 p.m. Monday on the charges of possession of crystal meth and possession of drug paraphernalia. Adams was jailed with no bail set yet.
Chitimacha Police Chief Hal Hutchinson reported the following arrest relating to east St. Mary Parish:
—Steve Scully, 50, of Palm Street in Morgan City, was arrested Saturday on the charge of criminal mischief and released on a summons.