Housing official charged in drug bust

The Morgan City Housing Authority Board Chairman and two other people were arrested Thursday on multiple drug charges after narcotics detectives executed search warrants at a business and home. Among the chairman’s charges was distribution of synthetic urine, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.

—Victory Ho, 37, of Fig Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:21 a.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of marijuana, Percocet, Lortab, Norco, Xanax, and drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, transactions involving drug proceeds, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, violations of the controlled dangerous substance law drug free zone, and distribution-manufacturing-sale-possession of synthetic urine.

—Dam Nguyen, 62, of Glenmont Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:21 a.m. Thursday on a charge for possession of a legend drug Prednisone.

—Erica Gaddy, 28, of Fig Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:33 a.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of marijuana, Subutex , and drug paraphernalia, and violation of controlled dangerous substance law drug free zone.

Detectives with the St Mary Parish Narcotics Section conducted multiple search warrants in the Morgan City area Thursday.

The search warrants stem from a long-term investigation regarding the sale and possession of illegal narcotics.

The searches were conducted simultaneously — one at a home on Fig Street and the other at a business on Fifth Street. Morgan City Police Department assisted with those searches.

During the home search on Fig Street, detectives located marijuana, Subutex pills, and numerous items of drug paraphernalia. As a result, Gaddy was arrested and transported to the parish jail.

She was later released after posting bail set at $5,000.

At the search of the business on Fifth Street, detectives located marijuana, several prescription pills, numerous items of paraphernalia, firearms and synthetic urine, Hebert said.

Ho was booked into parish jail with bail set at $235,000.

During the execution of the search warrant, Nguyen was found to be in possession of Prednisone pills. She was booked into parish jail and released on bail set at $1,500.

Narcotics detectives seized, pending forfeiture, more than $27,000 in U.S. currency and a 2008 SUV.

Hebert also reported responding to 27 complaints and reported the following arrest:

—Lorie Souther , 37, of Catherine Street in Lockport, was arrested at 12:33 p.m. Thursday on a warrant issued by the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office on charges of theft of goods ($500-$1,500) and possession of Schedule 2 narcotics.

A deputy assigned to patrol the Bayou Vista area made contact with Souther on Southeast Boulevard. Souther was jailed.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:

—Kiefer Aaron Smith, 25, of Henry Street in Patterson, was arrested at 11:55 p.m. Wednesday on the charges of DWI first offense and careless operation. Smith was released on bail set at $1,500.

—Aisha Davis, 37, of Taft Street in Patterson, was arrested at 9:54 p.m. Thursday on the charge of aggravated assault involving domestic abuse. No bail is set.

—Jeremiah Garces , 24, of Cross Road No. 2 in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3:10 a.m. today on the charges of reckless operation, suspicion of DWI, driving under suspension, criminal damage to property and resisting with force. No bail is set.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:

—Vernon Sanders, 31, of Fifth Street in Berwick, was arrested on a charge for flight from an officer. Sanders was released on bail set at $1,000.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrest:

—Jerry Boyer, 71, of Morgan City, was arrested at 8:08 p.m. Thursday on the charge of appearing in public in an intoxicated condition.

An officer responded to a call of an intoxicated subject that had fallen on the sidewalk by Third Street and Railroad Avenue. The officer arrived and located Boyer who appeared to be sleeping.

The officer spoke with Boyer, who according to reports, was suspected to have been drinking and appeared to be intoxicated.

Boyer was jailed.