Sheriff: Man caught with marijuana, handgun in Bayou Vista

A 35-year-old Houston man was caught this morning in Bayou Vista with marijuana and a handgun after a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped a swerving vehicle on U.S. 90, Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Carl Chavis Jr., 35, of the 13700 block of Sutton Lane in Houston, was arrested at 2:24 a.m. today on the charges of improper lane usage, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.
A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista responded to a report of a reckless driver on U.S. 90. The deputy located the vehicle and observed it swerving onto the shoulder of the roadway. A traffic stop was conducted, and the deputy made contact with the driver, Chavis. The officer smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, Hebert said.
After receiving consent to search the vehicle, the deputy located four small bags of marijuana, rolling papers, and a partially burnt marijuana cigarette in the center console of the truck. The deputy also located a handgun inside the vehicle. Chavis was booked into parish jail with no bail set.
Hebert reported responding to 41 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests relating to east St. Mary Parish:
—Sidney Bourque, 60, of the 400 block of Vivian Lane in Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 6:23 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of issuing worthless checks and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of direct contempt, failure to use seatbelts, and failure to honor written promise to appear.
A Louisiana State trooper conducting a traffic stop on U.S. 90 in Jeanerette made contact with Bourque and found that he had active warrants. The deputy made contact with Bourque and transported him to the parish jail for booking. No bail is set.
—Roy D. Skinner, 51, of the 300 block of John Edward Lane in Thibodaux, was arrested at 8:59 p.m. Thursday on the charges of license plate light required, driving under suspension and on a warrant from the City Court of Morgan City for contempt of court.
A deputy observed a vehicle without a lit license plate traveling on La. 182 in Morgan City. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Skinner. The deputy found that Skinner was operating the vehicle with a suspended driver’s license and located an active warrant for his arrest. Skinner was booked into parish jail with no bail set.
—Guadalupe Cortes, 54, of the 100 block of Everett Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:47 a.m. today on the charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, improper lane usage, possession of open alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle, no proof of insurance and no driver’s license.
A deputy observed a vehicle swerving into the oncoming lane and onto the shoulder of La. 182 in Amelia. The deputy stopped the vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as Cortes.
While speaking with him, the deputy smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath as well as other indicators of intoxication. The deputy also observed an open can of beer inside the vehicle. The deputy administered a field sobriety test on which Cortes performed poorly, Hebert said.
Cortes later registered 0.141 grams-percent blood alcohol concentration. During the traffic stop, the deputy also found that Cortes had no driver’s license and no proof of insurance. Cortes was booked into parish jail with no bail set.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrests:
—Brandon McClendon, 29, of the 400 block of Wedell Street in Patterson, was arrested at 4:04 a.m. today on the charge of disturbing the peace fighting. Bail is set at $413.
—Chasity Butler, 36, of the 500 block of Williams Street in Patterson, was arrested at 9:09 p.m. Thursday on the charge of simple battery. Butler was released on her own recognizance.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrest:
—Honey R. Donati, 32, of Second Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday on the charge of disturbing the peace by using offensive language
Officers responded to a home on Marshall Street in regard to a disturbance. Officers noticed an individual, identified as Donati, yelling at a group of people. Officers asked Donati to calm down several times and to stop using offensive language. Donati continued, and she was jailed.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.