Patterson man accused of abusing young girl

A 20-year-old Patterson man was arrested on a warrant alleging that he sexually abused a juvenile victim, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.

—Joshua T. Miller, 20, of the 100 block of Laura Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 5:44 p.m. Friday on a warrant for aggravated crime against nature.

On Friday, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible molestation of a juvenile.

A detective with the Juvenile Division conducted an investigation and gathered evidence that Miller touched a girl in a sexual manner while at a residence in the Patterson area, Hebert said.

The juvenile was 9 when the sexual abuse occurred. Miller was located at his residence on the warrant and transported to the parish jail for booking. No bail is set.

Hebert reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Michael W. Martin Jr., 32, of the 3500 block of Second Street in Berwick, was arrested at 2:36 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for issuing worthless checks.

A deputy made contact with Martin at a business in Berwick and located the active warrant for his arrest. Martin was released on a summons to appear in court May 4.

—Destry Weber, 50, of the 100 block of Jordan Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:25 a.m. today on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of domestic abuse battery (second offense).

A bounty hunter surrendered Weber to correctional officers at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. No bail is set.

—Jeremiah J. Cortez, 38, of the 100 block of Dorothy Drive in Thibodaux, was arrested at 2:51 p.m. Thursday for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and obstruction of justice.

Detectives with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division were contacted by Louisiana State Police to assist on a traffic stop on U.S. 90 near the Berwick-Bayou Vista line.

During the traffic stop for speeding, Cortez, the driver of a motorcycle, was observed throwing an object. The object was recovered and was determined to be a pipe used to smoke marijuana, Hebert said.

During a search of Cortez, detectives located more marijuana. Cortez was cited for speeding and driving under suspension by the Louisiana State Police.

Cortez was placed under arrest by St. Mary Parish narcotics detectives. Cortez was transported to the parish jail for booking. No bail is set.

—Jason Terrell, 28, of the 400 block of Row 1 in Lafayette, was arrested at 8:35 a.m. Friday on a warrant for criminal trespass.

The warrant was issued following an investigation into a complaint of trespassing on private property on Avoca Island, Hebert said. Terrell turned himself in at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office in Franklin.

Terrell was released on a summons to appear in court May 4.

—Banning Ohlin, 29, of the 200 block of Belanger Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:45 a.m. Friday on a warrant for hit and run driving.

The warrant is the result of an investigation into a report of a hit and run incident in which two mailboxes and two garbage cans were damaged by a vehicle on Teche Road in Bayou Vista.

The deputy collected evidence indicating that Ohlin struck the objects with his vehicle as he left the area and traveled towards Berwick.

Ohlin was taken into custody on the warrant at the Berwick Police Department where he had been booked on related charges. Ohlin was transported to the parish jail for booking.

He was released on bail set at $1,000.

—Devonne Williams, 48, of the 500 block of Barrow Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8 a.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of failure to return a leased movable.

A deputy located Williams at her residence on the warrant. Williams was released on bail set at $1,000.

—Andre Broussard, 24, of the 1000 block of Casey Street in Franklin, was arrested at 5:40 p.m. Friday on the charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, violation of a drug-free zone, transactions involving drug proceeds, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Detectives with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s office Narcotics Division conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with a non-functioning brake light on U.S. 90 in Patterson.

While speaking with Broussard, a passenger, a detective received consent to search his person and located a bag of cocaine along with a straw in his pants pocket, Hebert said.

Detectives also located a firearm inside the vehicle belonging to Broussard. During the subsequent investigation into the illegal drug, detectives developed information that Broussard was selling cocaine.

Detectives also seized $660 in cash suspected of being derived from illegal drug sales. The investigation occurred within 2000 feet of a church.

Broussard has several prior felony convictions. He was transported to the parish jail for booking. No bail is set.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:

—Dennis J. Richard, 20, of Chennault Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:09 a.m. Friday on the charge of peeping tom.

An officer responded to an address on North Third Street in regard to a complaint of a subject knocking at the door.

The officer arrived and spoke with the complainant who advised that Richard was observed looking through a window of the residence, Blair said.

Reports indicate that Richard then attempted to enter through a door that was locked. Richard was told by the complainant that police had been contacted, at which time Richard fled the area on foot, Blair said.

A description was provided to responding officers, and Richard was located in the area moments later.

After an investigation was conducted, Richard was arrested and booked into the Morgan City Police Department Jail. Richard was jailed.

—Dean J. Beranek, 30, of Burchfield Lane in Berwick, was arrested at 9:19 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for violation of a protective order.

Beranek was transported from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office Jail to the Morgan City Police Department where he was booked and jailed on an active arrest warrant held by Morgan City Police.

—Jacob T. Alcina, 28, of Martin Luther King Drive in Patterson, was arrested 4:07 p.m. Thursday on the charge of driving under suspension and a warrant for probation and parole hold.

Patrolling officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Alcina on Victor II Boulevard near Clothilde Street, Blair said.

The stop was in regard to Alcina having an active arrest warrant through probation and parole. A driver’s license check revealed that Alcina also had a suspended license.

Alcina was arrested and booked into the Morgan City Police Department Jail.

—Eugene J. LeBlanc, 21, of Elaine Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:11 a.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to appear to pay a fine on possession of marijuana.

LeBlanc was located on Freret Street near Florida Street where he was arrested on an active arrest warrant held by the Sixth Ward Morgan City Court.

LeBlanc was booked into the Morgan City Police Department Jail and incarcerated.

—Brandi W. LaCoste, 33, of Sandy Street in Patterson, was arrested at 1:44 a.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to appear for possession of hydrocodone.

LaCoste turned herself in at the Morgan City Police Department in regard to an active arrest warrant held by the Sixteenth Judicial District Court.

LaCoste was booked into the Morgan City Police Department Jail and incarcerated.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:

—Valinda Otis, 34, of New Iberia, was arrested at 5:52 a.m. Friday on the charge of driving under suspension. Otis was released on bond set at $1,000.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:

—Bobby Mouton, 41, of the 800 block of Tall Timber Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 7:45 p.m. Friday on the charge of criminal damage to property under $500.

Mouton remains jailed. Bail is set at $1,000.

—Keith B. Smith, 29, of the 400 block of First Street in Patterson, was arrested at 2:12 a.m. Saturday on the charge of driving while intoxicated first offense by refusal.

Smith remains jailed. No bail is set.