Patterson man arrested in probe into drug activity

A 36-year-old Patterson man was arrested Monday after investigators discovered alleged drug activity at local businesses and a residence, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Edward G. Campbell, 36, of Leo Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 9:17 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, marijuana with intent to distribute and drug paraphernalia.

Campbell was also charged with transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses and violation of uniformed controlled dangerous substance laws.

Over the past few months, a joint investigation with the Morgan City Police Department and St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office Narcotics Units was conducted regarding complaints of illegal narcotic activity occurring at several businesses in the Morgan City area.

During the course of the investigation, search warrants were obtained for several locations.

Investigators with both agencies executed search warrants on businesses located on Sandra Street and La. 182 as well as a Patterson residence on Monday.

During a search of the Morgan City business, detectives located suspected marijuana which was packaged in a way consistent with the sales and distribution of illegal narcotics.

Investigators also recovered a suspected methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and money believed to be derived from the sales of illegal narcotics. The source of the illegal activity was within the area of a school and suspect additionally charged.

Campbell was arrested and transported to the Morgan City Police Department where he was booked and incarcerated. Bail is set at $50,000.00. The joint investigation will continue.

If you have any information regarding this activity or any other information which may assist investigators, please contact the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division at (985)380-4605 or the St. Mary Parish Narcotics Division at (985) 384-1622.

Blair reported the remaining arrests:

—Allen C. Lennep, 59, of Freret Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:32 p.m. Monday on warrants for contempt of court, probation violation, failure to appear for theft, failure to appear for misrepresentation during booking, failure to appear for disturbing the peace intoxicated, failure to appear for entry or remaining after forbidden, and failure to pay probation fees.

Lennep was located by officers at an address on Fourth Street. He was arrested on several active arrest warrants held by the 6th Ward Morgan City Court.

Lennep was transported to the Morgan City Jail where he was booked and incarcerated.

—Johnathan P. Wiggins, 29, of Sixth Street in Berwick, was arrested at 7:58 p.m. Monday on the charge of theft.

Officers responded to a local retail store on Seventh Street in regard to a call of a shoplifter.

The officers arrived and spoke with store employees. The employees told officers that a subject inside the store was suspected of taking items and concealing them on his person.

Wiggins was located inside the store and identified as the subject of the complaint. During an investigation, reports indicate a search was conducted when officers located several items concealed on Wiggins person.

The items were valued at $32.52 and identified as unpaid for from within the store. Wiggins was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Jail where he was booked and incarcerated.

—Bradford G. Jones, 38, of Glenwood Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:05 p.m. Monday on two warrants for failure to appear for traffic offense.

Jones was located at a La. 182 address where he was arrested on two active arrest warrants held by the 16th Judicial District Courts. Jones was transported to the Morgan City Jail where he was booked and incarcerated.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 47 complaints and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Kerri Francois, 36, of the 500 block of Leo Street in Patterson, was arrested at 6:13 p.m. Monday on possession charges of marijuana with intent to distribute, drug paraphernalia, and a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

Francois was also charged for possession of Hydrocodone, Percocet, Lortab, Narco , Tramadol, Provigil, and Xanax.

Detectives with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division conducted a search warrant at Francois’ residence on Leo Street in Patterson.

During the investigation, detectives located marijuana, digital scales, a handgun, and several Schedule II and Schedule IV pills inside the residence. Francois was transported to the parish jail for booking. No bail is set.

—Raymond Johnson, 42, of the 800 block of Lake Palourde Road in Amelia, was arrested at 7:38 a.m. Monday on two Terrebonne Parish warrants for monetary instrument abuse and failure to appear on the charge of failure to obey traffic control signals.

A deputy responding to a complaint made contact with Johnson and located the active warrants from Terrebonne Parish. Johnson was transported to the parish jail for booking. No bail is set.

—Kendall Rochelle, 27, of the 3100 block of Fifth Street in Berwick, was arrested at 8:52 a.m. Monday on the charge of driving under suspension.

A deputy responded to a report of a single vehicle crash on U.S. 90 in Amelia. The deputy located the vehicle near the wooded area off of the highway and made contact with the driver, Rochelle.

During the investigation, the deputy found that Rochelle was operating the car with a suspended license. Rochelle was released on a summons to appear in court on Oct. 17.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.