Couple charged with cruelty to juveniles and animals after drug investigation

A Morgan City couple faces charges for cruelty to juveniles and animals in addition to drug and weapons charges after police found deplorable living conditions inside a Cypress Street home, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said in a news release. Police also arrested two other people on drug charges during the investigation.
On Saturday, Morgan City Police narcotics investigators conducted a search warrant of a Cypress Street residence, which was obtained due to an investigation into complaints of illegal narcotics activity at that location. Detectives, along with assistance of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, entered the residence, discovering several suspects along with three juveniles, ranging in age from infant to three years old.
Investigators discovered two children, ages 2 and 3 years old secluded in a separate room. The conditions inside the room were found to be dirty and unsanitary. The room was gated and found to have what appeared to be feces on the floor and walls. Investigators contacted the Department of Child Services who responded to the scene.
Authorities also located several caged animals outside the home. The animals were found to be emaciated and without shelter, food or water. An animal control officer with the Morgan City Police Department responded to the scene.
During a search of the residence, which is located within a drug free school zone, detectives located methamphetamine and evidence that the substance was being sold from the residence. Officers also located two handguns, a 9-mm and a .380-caliber, one of which was discovered to be stolen.
During the subsequent investigation, detectives learned that the methamphetamine was indeed being sold from the residence.
They also learned from witnesses that the children had been subjected to the unsanitary conditions for some time. The occupants of the home, Jeana Domangue and Jacob Domangue, are alleged to have, in prior instances, held some of the children in animal cages inside the residence.
The Louisiana Department of Child Services took custody of the children, where they were evaluated and given proper care. Morgan City Police are continuing to work with the Louisiana Department of Child Services during the investigation. The investigation is ongoing.
During the investigation, police made the following arrests:
—Jeana M. Domangue, 22, of Cypress St. Morgan City, at 3:05 a.m. Saturday on the charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine with intent to distribute, transactions involving proceeds from illegal narcotics activity, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of uniformed controlled dangerous substance law - school zone, keeping a disorderly place, cruelty to juveniles, cruelty to animals, illegal use or carrying of a weapon, illegal use of controlled drugs in the presence of persons under age 17 and illegal possession of a stolen firearm. Bail is set at $475,000.
—Jacob P. Domangue, 32, of Cypress Street in Morgan City, at 3:05 a.m. Saturday on the charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine with intent to distribute, transactions involving proceeds from illegal narcotics activity, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of uniformed controlled dangerous substance law - school zone, keeping a disorderly place, cruelty to juveniles, cruelty to animals, illegal use or carrying of a weapon, illegal use of controlled drugs in the presence of persons under age 17, illegal possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bail is set at $500,000.
—Courtney J. Smith, 28, of Levee Road in Morgan City, at 3:05 a.m. Saturday on the charges of possession of marijuana under 16 grams, resisting an officer, illegal use of controlled drugs in the presence of persons under age 17 and violation of uniformed controlled dangerous substance law.
—Deborah Francois, 32 , of Apple Street in Morgan City, at 3:05 a.m. Saturday on the charges of possession of marijuana under 16 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of uniformed controlled dangerous substance law and illegal use of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of persons under age 17.
Blair reported the following arrests:
—Renetta Clark, 52, of Verdun Lane in Centerville, at 1:21 p.m. Monday on the charge of simple battery.
Clark was already incarcerated in the Morgan City jail, when she committed a battery on another inmate, Blair said. Clark was charged and continues to be incarcerated.
—Terry J. Domangue, 51, of Front Street in Morgan City at 9:29 p.m. Monday on the charges of possession of Schedule I synthetic marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal controlled drug in the presence of persons under 17 years old.
—Robert J. Gussman Jr., 42, of Bush Street in Morgan City, at 9:29 p.m. Monday on the charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal use of controlled drug in the presence of persons under 17 years old.
The Morgan City Police Department Narcotics Division along with the assistance of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division executed a search warrant at a Front Street home. Officers made contact with Domangue and Gussman.
Police also located a 14-year-old in a bedroom, Blair said. During the investigation, officers located synthetic marijuana in Domangue’s possession and suspected methamphetamine on Gussman. Authorities found items used to smoke illegal narcotics in the home. Both Domangue and Gussman were jailed. The juvenile was released to a guardian.
—Vincent A. Thomas, 21, of Mount Street in Morgan City, at 10:26 p.m. Monday on the charges of possession of Schedule I marijuana third offense, driving under suspension and turning movements and required signals.
—Rinney D. Turner, 20, of 11th Street in Morgan City, at 10:26 p.m. Monday on the charge of possession of Schedule I marijuana second offense.
A patrol officer in the area of Sixth Street and Ditch Avenue observed a vehicle fail to use a turn signal and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, Thomas, was determined to have a suspended driver’s license. The passenger of the vehicle, Turner, was observed to have suspected marijuana in plain view on the center console. Both Thomas and Turner were jailed.
—William J. Fendley, 31, of Hickory Street in Morgan City, at 12:09 a.m. today on the charges of vehicle license required, driving under suspension, possession of Schedule II methamphetamine with intent to distribute, violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law and transactions involving proceeds from controlled dangerous substance activity.
A patrol officer in the area of Sixth and Marguerite streets observed a vehicle without a license plate and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, Fendley, was determined to have a suspended driver’s license. While speaking to Fendley, the officer observed something fall from Fendley’s waist area.
The officer picked up the items which were several small zip lock bags of suspected methamphetamine. Fendley was jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 38 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Antoine Webb, 32, of Roy’s Lane in Verdunville, 7:21 p.m. Monday on a Harris County, Texas, warrant for court appearance. Webb was also charged with resisting an officer by refusing to give information. A deputy, working in conjunction with the District Attorney’s investigator, located Webb on Roy’s Lane. During booking, Webb refused to give information to the booking officer, Hebert said. No bail is set.
—Cathy Johnson, 65, of the 300 block of Hunting Road in Ricohoc, at 2:41 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging her with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia. A detective with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division was contacted by a Morgan City Police officer to assist in an investigation of possible illegal drug activity. The detective learned that Johnson had heroin and a metal spoon in her pocket, Hebert said. After further investigation, the detective obtained a warrant for her arrest. Johnson turned herself in at the Morgan City Police Department. No bail is set.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrest:
—Taraneka D. White, 19, of the 500 block of Taft Street in Patterson, at 10:13 p.m. Monday on the charges of criminal damage to property and unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling. No bail is set yet.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest.
—Tenisha Dabney, 35, of Berwick, at 7:15 p.m. Monday on the charge of disturbing the peace. Bail is set at $175.

This story was written by Zachary Fitzgerald of The Daily Review staff. Reach him at zfitzgerald@daily-review.com.