Second suspect arrested in false imprisonment, battery

A 19-year-old Morgan City man was arrested Wednesday after detectives discovered his connection to a case involving a man held at gunpoint, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.

—Demarcus McNeal, 19, of the 200 block of Arizona Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:57 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant for false imprisonment (while armed with a dangerous weapon), possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, simple battery and aggravated assault.

McNeal was also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance. 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 male subject force another male subject into a residence. A third male subject fled the area on foot.

Deputies ordered the two subjects to exit the residence. Both subjects complied and were detained. One of the subjects was identified as Courtland Francois, who was subsequently arrested.

Continuing the investigation, detectives identified the third subject as McNeal. Evidence gathered by detectives indicates that McNeal and Francois held a male victim at gunpoint, bound him with duct tape, and dragged him over the ground.

All three subjects knew one another. Detectives obtained a warrant for McNeal’s arrest and located him at his residence on Arizona Street.

While executing a search warrant on a vehicle McNeal rode in to the residence on Verdun Lane, detectives located several bags of marijuana and a handgun where he had been seated in the vehicle.

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

Hebert reported responding to 45 complaints and reported the following arrests:

—Courtland Francois, 24, of the 1000 block of Belleview Street in Bayou Vista, was additionally charged at 1:34 p.m. Wednesday for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of synthetic cannabinoids with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

While conducting search warrants in an investigation into false imprisonment, detectives located a bag of marijuana in a vehicle near the driver’s seat where Francois was seated. Detectives also located a large amount of synthetic cannabinoids in the residence. Detectives learned that the synthetic drugs belonged to Francois. Francois was already incarcerated on charges in this ongoing investigation. He remains jailed at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. No bail is set.

—Jarrett J. Picou, 29, of the 400 block of Louisa Street in Morgan City, at 12:13 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of possession of oxycodone, possession of alprazolam, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to give required signal, and operating a vehicle not covered by security.

A deputy transported Picou from the Livingston Parish detention center to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. No bail is set.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:

—Tager Rosson, 18, of Dawn Drive in Morgan City, at 7:58 p.m. Wednesday on the charges of disturbing the peace and resisting an officer. Rosson remains jailed. His bail is set at $625.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:

—Aaron Cage, 24, of the 1200 block of Fifth Street in Patterson, at 9:37 p.m. Wednesday on the charges of domestic violence – abuse battery (second offense) and simple criminal damage to property. Cage remains jailed. No bail is set.

—Brian J. Fitter, 34, of the 700 block of Kelli Drive in Patterson, at 1:09 a.m. today on the charges of disturbing the peace intoxicated, resisting an officer by violence/force, and threatening a public official. Fitter remains jailed. No bail is set.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:

— Eric S. Gaskins, 44, of Apple Street in Morgan City, at 11:57 a.m. Wednesday on the charge of a warrant for failure to appear to pay probation fine.

An officer came into contact with Gaskins near a local business on La. 182. A warrants check revealed that the 6th Ward Morgan City Court had an active arrest warrant for Gaskins. Gaskins was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department where he was booked and incarcerated .

—Billy J. Voisin, 39, of Ninth Street in Morgan City, at 3:33 a.m. today on the charge of appearing in public in an intoxicated condition.

An officer responded to a local business in regards to an intoxicated subject inside. The officer arrived and located Voisin inside. While speaking with Voisin it was believed that he had been drinking and appeared to be intoxicated. Voisin was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department where he was booked and incarcerated .

—Carl A. Middleton, 57, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, at 7:02 a.m. today on the charges of failure to dim headlights, possession of marijuana, and violation of uniformed controlled dangerous substance law.

An officer was patrolling the area of Railroad Avenue near Fourth Street when a vehicle was observed with high beams on and failing to dim lights on oncoming traffic. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver identified as Carl A. Middleton. Reports indicate that while speaking with Middleton, officers could smell the odor of raw marijuana inside the vehicle.

Middleton allowed officers to search the vehicle when officers located suspected marijuana inside. The location of the incident was within the area of a local church in violation of the uniformed controlled dangerous substance law. Middleton was placed under arrested and transported to the Morgan City Police Department where he was booked and incarcerated.