Out-of-state offenders arrested with fake ID's, insurance cards

Two men were arrested Wednesday after deputies found numerous fake driver’s licenses and insurance cards in the car, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.

— Gatchary Forth, 28, of the 300 block of Sun Valley Way in Florham Park, New Jersey, was arrested at 6:11 p.m. Wednesday on charges of following too close, identity theft (nine counts), and possession of fraudulent documents (nine counts).

—Albert Mujaj, 36, of the 2000 block of Barnes Avenue in Bronx, New York, was arrested at 6:11 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of Schedule 3 (Suboxone), identity theft (nine counts), possession of fraudulent documents (nine counts), and obstruction of justice.

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division K-9 unit observed a car traveling too closely to another vehicle on U.S. 90 in the Bayou Vista area. A traffic stop was conducted.

The deputy identified the driver as Forth. While speaking with Forth, the deputy received consent to search the vehicle.

During the search, a second deputy who was providing back up, observed the passenger, Mujaj, attempt to discard Suboxone on the ground beneath a police unit. Also, Mujaj originally gave the deputy a fake name.

As the search of the car continued, the deputy located nine fake driver’s licenses from various states. The deputy also found eight fraudulent insurance cards hidden within the forward console of the vehicle.

The deputy located money transaction receipts printed with names matching the fraudulent driver's licenses and more than $700 in cash suspected of being gained from using the fake IDs.

Following the traffic stop investigation, Mujaj and Forth were transported to the parish jail for booking. No bail is set.

Hebert reported responding to 29 complaints and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Casey Lopez, 35, of the 1700 block of Kemper Road in Patterson, was arrested at 11:36 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for possession with intent to distribute Schedule 4 (Xanax), possession of Schedule 1 (marijuana), possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and transactions involving drug proceeds.

Patterson Police made contact with Lopez in Patterson and detained her on the warrant. The warrant was issued following an investigation by the narcotics division.

While conducting a search warrant at the above listed address, detectives located Xanax pills, marijuana, a marijuana grinder, razor blade, a firearm and $250 in cash inside the residence.

Detectives also found evidence that Lopez was selling Xanax pills. Lopez was not at the residence at the time of the search and an arrest warrant was obtained.

A deputy transported Lopez from Patterson Police custody to the St. Mary Parish jail. No bail is set.

—Nathaniel Wicks, 18, of the 600 block of Seventy Nine Pines Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 2:52 p.m. Wednesday on an Assumption Parish warrant for probation violation.

A deputy developed information regarding the whereabouts of a subject wanted on a warrant from Assumption Parish and located Wicks at his residence.

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

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrests:

—Leon Scott, 29, of La. 182 in Berwick, was arrested at 11:55 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana and violation of controlled dangerous substance in a drug free zone. No bail is set.

— Johnelle Pittman, 29, of La. 182 in Berwick, was arrested at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana and violation of controlled dangerous substance in a drug free zone. No bail is set.

—Johnathan Turner, 17, of Mount Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:39 p.m. Wednesday on the charges of possession of marijuana, violation of controlled dangerous substance in a drug free zone, and resisting officer. No bail is set.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:

—Joseph Ray Owens Jr., 17, of the 100 block of Cremo Lane in Patterson, was arrested at 5:44 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of possession of marijuana. Owens was released on bail set at $2,000.

—Seth Tanner, 17, of the 400 block of Charlotte Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 5:44 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Tanner was released on bail set at $3,500.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:

— LeRoss L. Johnson, 21, of Morgan Street in Houma, was arrested at 9:28 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of domestic abuse battery.

Officers responded to an address on Wren Street in regard to a call of a domestic disturbance. The officers arrived at the residence where they located two subjects inside.

One was identified as Johnson and the other was later determined to be the victim of the incident.

Officers were told that Johnson and the victim got into an argument when, according to reports, Johnson was alleged to have committed a battery on the victim.

Johnson was arrested and transported to the Morgan City Jail where he was booked and incarcerated.

—Lisa D. Caruso, 42, of Glenwood Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:05 a.m. today on charges of entering or remaining on premises after being forbidden or disturbing the peace intoxicated.

Officers responded to a local convenience store on La. 182 in regard to a call of a disturbance at the business. When officers arrived, it was learned that the subject causing the disturbance had already left.

Officers were told by several witnesses, including store employees, that a subject later identified as Caruso was at the business causing a disturbance.

Reports indicated that Caruso had been banned from the business in regard to a previous incident. A description of Caruso was provided and officers located Caruso in the area moments later.

Caruso, while speaking with officers, was believed to have been drinking and appeared to be intoxicated.

Caruso was arrested and transported to the Morgan City Jail where she was booked and incarcerated.