Police: Man possessed weapon at city hall rally

An 18-year-old Bayou Vista man was arrested at the Unity in the Community rally after officers found a gun in his possession, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said.

—Hunter J. Rhodes, 18, of Saturn Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 4:38 p.m. Monday on the charge of illegal carrying of a weapon.

Officers responded to City Hall on Second Street near Everett Street in regard to a subject carrying a weapon during a peace rally gathering. The officers arrived and located Rhodes, who matched the description of the subject provided.

Rhodes was detained and searched when, according to reports, officers located a concealed handgun, which Rhodes did not have a proper permit to carry.

Rhodes was escorted away from the gathering, arrested and transported to the Morgan City Jail where he was booked and incarcerated.

Blair also reported the following arrest:

—Christian A. Garrett, 29, of Canary Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:05 a.m. Monday on the charges of domestic abuse battery and disturbing the peace (by intoxication).

Officers responded to the area of La. 70 near Veterans Boulevard in regard to a reported fight between a man and a woman. As the officers arrived, one of the officers observed a man committing a battery on the woman.

The officers spoke with both subjects involved, one identified as Garrett and the female who showed signs of a battery.

Reports indicate that during an investigation, officers uncovered evidence of a battery to the female, which was allegedly committed by Garrett. Garrett was also suspected to have been drinking and appeared to be intoxicated.

Garrett was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Jail where he was booked and incarcerated.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 39 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—William C. Closson, 31, of Voorhies Street in Lafayette, was arrested at 3:10 p.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of disturbing the peace by appearing in an intoxicated condition and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of failure to stop at a stop sign and operating a vehicle with a suspended license.

A deputy responding to a complaint of a suspicious person at a residence in Patterson made contact with Closson and located the active warrants for his arrest.

While speaking with Closson, the deputy observed that Closson was acting delusional. Closson was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Following his release from the medical facility, Closson was transported to the parish jail for booking.

Bail is set at $6,000.

— Nikeria Jefferson, 22, of Mazant Street in New Orleans, was arrested at 10:53 a.m. Friday on the charge of possession of marijuana. A deputy patrolling U.S. 90 in Amelia observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and conducted a traffic stop.

The deputy made contact with the driver, Jefferson, and smelled the strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The deputy searched the car and located a small amount of marijuana wrapped in cellophane. Jefferson was released on a summons to appear in court. Jefferson was also issued a citation for speeding.

—Patricia Gray, 48, of Guyther Street in Patterson, was arrested at 10:58 p.m. Friday on the charges of driving under suspension and on a warrant from Patterson Police for failure to appear on the charge of no tail lights.

A deputy responding to a complaint made contact with Gray, who was in a vehicle in the parking lot of a business on U.S. 90 in Bayou Vista. While speaking with Gray, the deputy learned that she was operating the vehicle with a suspended driver’s license and had an active warrant for her arrest. The deputy transported Gray to the parish jail for booking. Gray was later transferred to the Patterson Police Department jail on the warrant.

—Miranda Brown, 23, of Elaine Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:30 p.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear for a drug court status conference and failure to comply with the terms and conditions of drug court. Brown was transported to the St. Mary Law Enforcement Center from Assumption Parish. Bail is set at $100,000.

—Laura L. Vice, 46, of Superior Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:35 p.m. Saturday on the charge of domestic abuse battery.

—Roy Louviere Jr., 43, of Superior Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:45 p.m. Saturday on the charge of domestic abuse battery.

A deputy responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at a home in Bayou Vista. During the investigation, the deputy collected evidence that Vice and Louviere committed a battery upon each other during an argument. Both subjects were jailed and released on $1,500 bail.

—Steven Morris, 29, of Vista Village Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 5:50 a.m. Sunday on the charges of domestic abuse battery in the presence of a juvenile.

A deputy responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in Bayou Vista. The deputy found evidence that Morris struck a woman several times in the presence of a juvenile, Hebert said. Morris was jailed with no bail set.

—Clifton J. Vining Jr., 46, of Southeast Boulevard in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 6:05 a.m. Sunday on the charge of misuse of 911. Deputies responded to a 911 call of a stabbing at Vining’s home.

Deputies made contact with the complainant, identified as Vining, and found that he was uninjured. Following an investigation, the complaint was found to be false. Vining was jailed with bail set at $250.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:

—Nigel Lagard, 31, of Utah Street in Berwick, was arrested at 6:21 p.m. Monday on the charge of leash law violation. Lagard was released on bail set at $175.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.