Morgan City man arrested on cocaine charge

A 24-year-old Morgan City man was arrested Thursday for possession of cocaine with intent to sell, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Denver Chapman, 24, of Village Lane in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:25 a.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, transactions involving proceeds from drugs and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone.

Officers responded to a residence on Bowman Street regarding an individual knocking on the door. When officers arrived, they observed an individual fleeing from the residence on foot.

A short time later, the individual, identified as Chapman, was apprehended. Officers located several pieces of suspected crack cocaine in a cellophane bag and a large amount of U.S. currency totaling over $1,000 on Chapman.

The area in which Chapman was located was within 2,000 feet of a church, which is a drug-free zone. Chapman was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.

Blair also reported the following arrests:

—Cassie Vinning , 27, of Faith Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:53 p.m. Thursday on warrants for theft under $750 and forgery.

Vinning was transported from the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center to the Morgan City Police Department for active warrants she held for the Morgan City Police Department.

The warrants stem from an incident in September where it is alleged that Vinning had stolen items from a residence and forged several checks. Vinning was booked and incarcerated.

—Scott M. Henry, 35, of Teche Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:31 p.m. Thursday on the charges of possession of legend drug, no turn signal and possession of Tramadol Hydrochloride.

A patrol officer in the area of La. 182 and Grizzaffi Street observed a vehicle fail to use a turn signal.

A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, identified as Henry, was asked to produce a valid driver’s license. During the course of the investigation, Henry gave the officer consent to search his vehicle.

The officer located several pills identified as Tramadol Hydrochloride and Clonazepam. Henry did not have a prescription for any of the medication.

Henry was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 41 complaints and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Cassi Rankin, 27, of Murial Street in Bayou L’Ourse , was arrested at 12:36 p.m. Monday for theft of goods and a warrant for theft and forgery.

A deputy assigned to patrol the Bayou Vista area responded to a complaint of a shoplifter at a local business.

The deputy made contact with Rankin and learned that she attempted to leave the business without paying for the $1,337.24 worth of merchandise found in her possession.

Rankin also had an active warrant from Morgan City Police Department on charges of theft and forgery. Rankin was arrested and transported to the parish jail for booking. No bail is set.

—Ricky Pillaro , 61, of First Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:18 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failing to appear to court on charges of forgery and theft.

A deputy patrolling the Amelia area located Pillaro at a business and learned of the warrant. Pillaro was arrested and transported to the parish jail for booking. Pillaro was later released after posting bail set at $500.

—Hadassah Tamar Morrison, 24, of Curran Road in New Orleans, was arrested at 3:58 a.m. Thursday on the charges of speeding, driving under suspension and possession of marijuana.

A deputy conducting traffic duties on U.S. 90 in Bayou Vista, found a vehicle speeding 85 mph in a 65 mph zone. The deputy stopped the vehicle, made contact with the driver, Morrison, and learned that her license was suspended.

A search of the vehicle ensued. The deputy located marijuana in the vehicle. Morrison was arrested and transported to the parish jail for booking. Morrison was released on bail set at $3,250.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.