Sheriff: Berwick man tried to pitch cocaine

A 53-year-old Berwick man was charged Wednesday with crack cocaine possession after he allegedly threw the substance on the ground after seeing narcotics detectives in Morgan City, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Leonard Yarborough, 53, of the 2600 block of Fourth Street in Berwick, was arrested at 5:22 p.m. Wednesday on the charges of possession of crack cocaine and obstruction of justice.
Detectives with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office and Morgan City Police Department Narcotics Divisions were patrolling the area of Maine Street in Morgan City when they observed a man walking in the roadway.
When the suspect saw narcotics detectives, he threw crack cocaine that was in his possession onto the ground, Hebert said. Detectives detained the suspect, identified as Yarborough, and recovered the illegal drug, Hebert said. Following the investigation, Yarborough was jailed with no bail set.
Hebert reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Danny Nguyen, 50, of the 6000 block of La. 182 East in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:47 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of expired boat registration certificate and no boat numbers. Nguyen turned himself in at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office in Morgan City. He was released on $500 bail.
—Jennifer Monssen, 37, of the 1100 block of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:13 p.m. on two warrants for issuing worthless checks. Monssen turned herself in at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office in Franklin. She was released on a summons to appear in court on Dec. 7.
—Mark Buteaux, 47, of the 100 block of Shady Grove Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 7:13 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal trespassing and on a warrant for issuing worthless checks. A deputy received information regarding the current whereabouts of Buteaux. The deputy located Buteaux at his residence and transported him to the parish jail. No bail was set.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:
—Janice W. Brown, 45, of Thibodaux, was arrested at 9 a.m. Wednesday on a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant charging her with failure to appear.
Brown was already incarcerated in the Morgan City jail when a warrant was discovered for the 16th Judicial District Court. Brown was booked and continues to be incarcerated.
—Marjorie R. Ruffin, 25, of Fourth Street in Franklin, was arrested at 4:01 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging her with five counts of failure to pay fines.
Ruffin was transported from the Law Enforcement Center in Centerville to the Morgan City Police Department for active warrants she held for the Sixth Ward City Court. Ruffin was jailed.
—Jalen A. Walker, 20, of Adams Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:39 a.m. today on the charges of riding on roadways and bicycle paths, bicycles front and rear lamps required and resisting an officer.
A patrol officer in the area of Railroad and Ditch avenues observed an individual on a bicycle in the center of the roadway with improper lighting. The officer came into contact with the suspect, Walker, and asked him to stop the bicycle. Walker refused and began to flee from the officer, Blair said. Walker was later apprehended, booked and released on bail.
—Janice W. Brown, 45, of Thibodaux, was arrested at 9 p.m. Tuesday on the charge of possession of marijuana and on warrants for failure to appear (two counts). Brown was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a traffic stop.
A local warrants check was done on Brown and it was determined that she held active warrants for the Sixth Ward City Court. Brown also had suspected marijuana in her possession. Brown was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and was jailed.
—Scott Holtz, 40, of Lowell, Wisconsin, was arrested at 9:18 p.m. Tuesday on the charge of appearing in public intoxicated. A patrol officer in the area of Federal and Brashear avenues observed an individual that appeared intoxicated walking in the roadway.
The officer made contact with Holtz, who was unable to maintain his balance while talking to the officer. Holtz also had an odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath. Holtz was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and was jailed.
—Rodney J. Cormier, 34, of Rayne, was arrested at 12:42 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear (Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office). Officers located Cormier on Allison Street.
Officers had been dispatched to the area in regards to a disturbance. A warrants check was done on Cormier and it was determined that he held an active warrant for the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Cormier was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and was jailed.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:
—Michael Torres, 24, of Louisa Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:25 p.m. Wednesday on a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant charging him with failure to appear for driving while intoxicated first offense. Torres was jailed on $1,850 bail.
—Tyler Brewer, 23, of Louisa Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:25 p.m. Wednesday on the charges of maximum speed law 81 mph in a 45 mph zone and DWI first offense. No bail is set.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrest:
—D’Jimon Phillips, 17, of the 400 block of Como Street in Patterson, was arrested at 6:29 p.m. Wednesday on the charge of disturbing the peace by fighting. Phillips was jailed on $323 bail.

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