Man accused of holding man at gunpoint

A 24-year-old Bayou Vista man was arrested Tuesday after binding a male subject with duct tape and holding him at gunpoint in a Verdunville residence, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Courtland Francois, 24, of the 1000 block of Belleview Street in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 10:49 p.m. Tuesday on the charges of false imprisonment (while armed with a dangerous weapon), aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, simple battery, resisting an officer, and simple escape.

Deputies responded to a report of a 911 hang-up call and possible disturbance in the 400 block of Verdun Lane in Verdunville. As deputies arrived in the area, they observed a man force another man into a residence.

Deputies ordered both of the subjects to exit the residence. Both subjects complied and were detained. One of the subjects was identified as Francois.

During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Francois had held the other male subject at gunpoint, bound the victim with duct tape, and dragged the victim over the ground.

Francois and the victim know each other. The case remains under investigation.

While escorting Francois to a police unit, he forcefully pulled away from a deputy and fled on foot.

The deputy gave chase and apprehended Francois a short distance away. Francois was transported to the parish jail for booking. No bail is set.

Hebert reported responding to 36 complaints and reported the following arrests:

—Paulette Skinner, 40, of the 1000 block of Grace Street in Siracusaville, was arrested at 2:19 p.m. Tuesday for speeding and driving under suspension.

While patrolling Amelia, a deputy observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and conducted a traffic stop on James Street. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Skinner, and discovered that she was operating the vehicle with a suspended license.

Skinner was released on a summons to appear in court March 30.

— Cyrilla Lyons, 50, of the 800 block of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:16 p.m. Tuesday on the charges of possession of marijuana (second offense), possession of drug paraphernalia (second offense), and violation of a uniform controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone).

A deputy investigating a complaint of illegal drug activity at a residence in Kemper Williams Park in Patterson made contact with Lyons. While speaking with Lyons, the deputy received consent to search the residence and located a pill bottle containing marijuana and a piece of a glass smoking pipe used to consume marijuana.

Lyons was transported to the parish jail for booking. No bail is set.

— Malissa A. Gill, 26, of the 500 block of Wise Street in Patterson, was arrested at 6:38 p.m. Tuesday on four warrants for failure to appear for a drug court status conference and failure to comply with the terms and conditions of drug court.

A deputy located Gill on Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista on the warrants and transported her to the parish jail for booking. Bail is set at $400,000.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:

—Gregory L. Oubre Jr., 19, of the 100 block of Shady Grove in Patterson, was arrested at 10:38 a.m. Tuesday on the charges of possession of marijuana (second offense) and illegal use of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of person under 17 years of age.

Oubre remains jailed. No bail is set.

— Ajah Milan Jones, 18, of the 900 block of Fern Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11:29 a.m. Tuesday on the charge of simple battery involving domestic violence.
Jones remains jailed. No bail is set.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:

— Keirra A. Paddio, 17, of Freret Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of possession of marijuana. Officers responded to an address on Freret Street in regard to an uncontrollable juvenile.

Officers arrived and spoke with the mother who told officers that her daughter, Paddio, had ran away from home and refused to attend school. The officers were provided with an address on Garber Street where Paddio could be.

The officers went to the Garber Street address and, upon knocking at the front door, Paddio was found attempting to escape by climbing out of a window at the rear of the residence.
Paddio was arrested on a juvenile offense and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking. During the booking, suspected marijuana was located on Paddio’s person at which time she was additionally booked for the marijuana as an adult offense.

—Frank Johnson, 49, of Maine Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4 p.m. Monday on a charge of contempt of court.
Johnson was brought into the Morgan City Police Department by the City Court Marshall’s Office where he was booked on an arrest warrant held by the Sixth Ward City Court.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.