Recent heavy rains have not slowed down Webster Parish Sheriff’s investigators, as more than 16 individuals were arrested for serious charges including distribution of narcotics, felony carnal knowledge and aggravated burglary.

 

A weekend traffic stop led to the arrest of two for possession of crack cocaine. Deputies John Byrd, Kyle Greer and Reserve William Johnson responded to a vehicle repeatedly crossing the center line along US Hwy. 371. Upon questioning of the driver, the deputies learned they were being provided false information. The driver, Lawrence Miller, 26, of Cullen eventually provided his real name and information to the officers, who then checked him for weapons when he exited the car. 

 

Upon search, deputies found a pill bottle containing six rocks of crack cocaine in Lawrence’s pocket, and learned that the vehicle had been borrowed from a friend. Further inspection inside the vehicle revealed six cell phones, a large amount of cash and two hidden guns. Both Lawrence and his passenger, Daniel I. Samsin, 29, of Cullen were arrested. 

 

Lawrence was charged with improper lane usage, possession of a CDS schedule II with intent to distribute, illegally carrying a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and no drivers’ license on person.

 

Samsin was charged with felony possession of a firearm.

 

Investigating officers who ceased the vehicle discovered that the owner, Mary Lynn Pittman aka “Mad Mary”, 53, of Springhill was also wanted by the Department for distribution of crack cocaine. Pittman was questioned and arrested on the outstanding distribution warrant, and upon receipt of consent to search her residence, deputies found additional drug related paraphernalia and controlled substances. Pittman was then additionally charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

 

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On Wednesday the Sheriff’s narcotics division, with assistance from Cotton Valley and Cullen Police Departments and the Louisiana State Police, conducted a roundup that brought in seven of ten individuals wanted for distribution of narcotic substances including cocaine and prescriptions medications.

 

Janarcus Dewayne Robinson, 22, of Springhill was charged with distribution of a CDS schedule II (cocaine.)

 

Lamarcus D. Epps, 40, of Cullen was charged with three counts distribution of a CDS schedule II (cocaine).

 

Janice Lynne White, 56, of Cotton Valley was charged with two counts of distribution of a CDS schedule III (prescription medications.)

 

Lee A. Wortham, 22, of Cullen was charged with distribution of a CDS schedule II (cocaine.)

 

Demicheal D. Smith, 17, of Cullen was charged with distribution of a CDS schedule II (cocaine.)

 

James Anderson, 50, of Cullen was charged with distribution of a CDS schedule II (cocaine.)

 

Charles E. Harris, 57, of Cullen was charged with distribution of a CDS schedule II (cocaine.)

 

“These all resulted from a six month investigation we conducted,” explained Det. Lt. Shawn Baker of the narcotics division. “We still have a few more out there—but we’ll get them.”

 

Baker refers to Webster Sheriff’s fugitives Toriano Hargrove and Devell C. Wortham, aka “Tookie”, both of the Cullen area. Investigators advise that both are wanted for distribution of crack cocaine.

 

All individuals arrested were transported and booked without incident into Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.

 

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In other cases, Sheriff’s investigators followed up on leads that led them to close two separate burglary cases. Detectives Tommy Kemp and Capt. Jay Hortman were transferred a case by the Minden Police Department for jurisdictional purposes. 

 

In this incident, a man’s home was burglarized with personal checks, money and a rifle stolen. detectives were notified when a local bank notified the man that they refused to cash one of his personal checks because the individual was not able to produce proper identification. They later learned the check of $300.00 was ultimately cashed at a convenience store.

 

The man whose name appeared on the cashed the check, Nicholas Deericyon Bryant, 18, of Minden was picked up and questioned by investigators. Bryant explained to deputies that he had been approached by two men offering to pay him twenty dollars to cash a check for them. Further details led investigators to the suspects in the burglary, Jasmine Javeon Nichols, 21, of Springhill and Chazzsmun Lamario Lewis, 17, of Minden. Both men were picked up for questioning, and confessed to investigators of their participation in the burglary. 

 

Bryant was charged with access device fraud and theft of the assets.

 

Lewis was charged with access device fraud, forgery, and aggravated burglary.

 

Nichols was charged with aggravated burglary, access device fraud and theft of a firearm.

 

“In Bryan’s case,” explained Det. Tommy Kemp, “That twenty dollars he thought he’d make quick and easy ended up costing him $20,000 in bond. That’s an expensive mistake.”

 

Investigators recovered the stolen rifle that will be soon returned to its owner.

 

In an unrelated case, another property crime case was solved this week. A recent burglary resulting in the theft of seven guns was pinned to two men who were arrested by Bossier City officers during an attempted burglary. When Bossier officials searched the vehicle driven by the suspects, three weapons found inside linked back to notices posted by Webster investigators.

 

Paul Pinchera, 30, of Bossier Parish and Joshua Cupples, 28, of Shreveport are held at Bossier’s maximum security detention center; however Webster investigators who have now linked them directly to the case with additional information issued warrants on the men for charges of aggravated burglary. 

 

“As soon as they are released from Bossier they’ll be transported to us and charged for this burglary,” said Kemp. “We’ve got three guns recovered and have received information that three more from this case were sold. We’re following additional leads now to track those weapons.”

 

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Finally, a Doyline man was arrested by the Sheriff’s investigator of domestic violence for carnal knowledge. Scott Eric Richardson, 24, was investigated by Det. Theresa Rogers following a report that he had allegedly raped a young girl. 

 

Details learned in the investigation and subsequent questioning confirmed the allegations that Richardson repeatedly sexually abused a girl from beginning when she was nine years old. He was arrested and charged with one count of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile. 

 

Rogers said this investigation revealed that Harris County, Texas also wanted Richardson for similar charges. Richardson is currently out on bond from both locations.

 

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Sheriff Gary S. Sexton sums up the department’s recent activities by saying, “Between the bad weather conditions and the multiple cases we’ve had recently, our department has been steadily busy. I’m very pleased that we have wrapped up so many investigations—and glad that everyone remained safe during the process. It’s a test of our abilities to multi-task and efficiently operate under increasingly stressful and demanding conditions.”