More than 10 pounds of marijuana worth $22,000, some heroin, a heroin-like drug and $7,800 seized with a loaded handgun as couple arrested in house; Marijuana kept in suitcase under their children’s bed

Sanaa Halum, 31	Brandon Celestain, 25
	Marijuana, gun, heroin and cash seized in a Chalmette’s couple’s home.

In an unusual case for narcotics agents in Chalmette, 10.4 pounds of marijuana worth $22,000 was seized at the home of a Chalmette couple believed to be part of a larger operation, with the man admitting he had 22 pounds of marijuana a week ago, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Brandon Celestain, 25, and Sanaa Halum, 31, were arrested after a search warrant was executed at 2521 Jackson Blvd. Chalmette, on Monday night, March 4.

Besides the marijuana, also seized was about one gram of heroin, several strips and pills of a heroin-like prescription drug called Suboxone, a loaded 40-caliber handgun with obliterated serial numbers, $7,800 cash and several scales and plastic bags for drug-dealing.

Sheriff Pohlmann said agents of the Special Investigations Division, commanded by Maj. Chad Clark, obtained the information which led to a judge issuing a search warrant. The arrests were announced Friday.

He said it was the largest seizure of marijuana in St. Bernard in some time.

“This is good police work leading to the arrest of a major marijuana distributor,’’ and a woman who has lived with him for years and also was dealing drugs, Sheriff Pohlmann said. “The bottom line is if you deal drugs in St. Bernard you will be caught.’’

“The two individuals were part of an ongoing undercover narcotics investigation that started in early January,’’ the sheriff said. “The two were known for dealing marijuana, prescription medication and heroin.’

Clark said of the case, “What made us sick was these drug-dealing scum bags had the nerve to hide the 10 pounds of marijuana in a suitcase under their children’s bed. Also, they had a loaded gun in the closet in the same kids’ room.’’ The children were two young boys and an older girl.

Clark also said the recovered gun had notches on it, which in street parlance could mean the weapon has been used that number of times to to shoot people. The Sheriff’s Office will consult with other agencies to try to determine if the gun is tied to shootings.

“It’s a sad situation’’ involving the children of the couple, who have young twin boys together and an older girl who is the woman’s daughter, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

“Where does this leave the kids who are oblivious to what went on?’’ the sheriff said. “These people made bad decisions to be drug-dealing and also put their children at risk by having the drugs around the children and leaving a loaded gun in the closet in their room.””

During questioning after their arrest, Celestain said all the marijuana found belonged to him and said he had 22 pounds of the drug there a week earlier, Sheriff Pohlmann said. Neither suspect claimed the heroin or Suboxone.

Celestain has a previous felony conviction in his background, the sheriff said. He was arrested with a large amount of crack cocaine about 5 years go in St. Bernard Parish and served time in prison.

Using phone numbers recovered, the investigation will continue into who supplied the marijuana to Celestain and who were the buyers, authorities said.

Both Celestain and Halum were booked with: possession with intent to distribute marijuana, heroin and Suboxone, possession of a firearm with obliterated markings, possession of controlled dangerous substances in the presence of juveniles, child endangerment and possession of firearms while in possession of controlled, dangerous substances.

Celestain was also booked with being a felon in illegal possession of a firearm and Halum was booked on warrants of arrest issued March 4 alleging distribution of marijuana and distribution of Suboxone.

Both are being held in lieu of bond in St. Bernard Parish Prison. His bond is $750,000 and her bond is $500,000.

Anyone who suspects possible drug activity in St. Bernard Parish should call the sheriff’s drug hotline anonymously at 271-DOPE or the regular Sheriff’s Office number at 271-2501. All tips will be investigated.

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St. Bernard Parish man booked with murder of man killed in N.O. and found buried in St. Bernard on Feb. 26; Michael Vicknair now in NOPD custody after his arrest by St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office

New Orleans police booked a 35-year-old St. Bernard Parish man Friday night, March 1, in the beating death of Jeffrey W. Bonck Sr., who was murdered in the city last August and whose remains were found buried in eastern St. Bernard on Feb. 26.

Michael Vicknair, 35, was booked into the Orleans Parish jail on counts of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice. Vicknair had been in custody in St, Bernard on an unrelated charge, arrested by the Sheriff’s Office, when NOPD took custody of him before he was booked in New Orleans.

Bonck, 55, was beaten to death in New Orleans last August but his body was buried several feet below ground, off Florissant Highway, in eastern St. Bernard and unearthed after another man tipped off police in New Orleans about where the body was located.

Vicknair is a native of eastern St. Bernard who grew up in the Kenilworth community and has a lengthy arrest history. Sheriff Pohlmann said Vicknair had been under arrest in the St. Bernard Parish Prison since deputies arrested him Feb. 21 on an unrelated count of domestic violence after NOPD informed the Sheriff’s Office hewas a suspect in a possible homicide in the city.

“We assisted in the case from the point where we were informed of the New Orleans investigation,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said, including arresting the suspect on a warrant involving the unrelated charge and obtaining the search warrant to dig on the property where the body was found.

New Orleans police took custody of Vicknair from the St. Bernard Prison on Friday, March 1, a day after police identified Bonck as the man whose body was recovered and said they had a “person of interest’’ in the case, who was Vicknair.

New Orleans police also said at a news conference Thursday there was at least one other possible suspect in the case, saying the person who tipped off authorities to the location of the body could also face charges. His identity hasn’t been revealed. LSU’s Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services — the FACES laboratory – worked to unearth the body, with the help of an excavating machine from St. Bernard Parish government.

Bonck’s identity was confirmed after the body was sent to the Orleans Parish coroner’s office, according to authorities.

Bonck was reported missing on Aug. 14, 2012, when his brother contacted police to say the last he had heard from him was in the form of a voicemail that Bonck had left on his phone on Aug. 11 about 3 a.m.

Bonck’s brother told police he checked Bonck’s house in the 7500 block of Michigan Street in eastern New Orleans later that day but couldn’t find him and grew concerned because it was uncharacteristic of his brother, he said.

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Man who ran a stop light in Chalmette had 5 ounces of marijuana in car and 2 pounds, a stolen gun and cash at home; Also faces an armed robbery charge in N.O.

Cory Lain of Chalmette, arrested with 2 1/4 pounds of marijuana, a stolen gun and $1,390 cash.

The recovered marijuana, stolen handgun and cash.

A man who was out on bond for an armed robbery charge in New Orleans had five ounces of marijuana in the car when he was caught running a stop light in Chalmette on Tuesday and two pounds of the drug and a stolen handgun was found in his home afterward, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Cory Lain, 24, 2522 Mumphrey Road, Chalmette, was booked with possession with intent to distribute about 2 ¼ pounds of marijuana, illegal possession of the stolen handgun and possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance. He was also booked on traffic violations.

Some $1,390 cash was also found in a search of Lain’s home.

Narcotics agents Sgt. Joseph Alfonso and Mike Plaiscia spotted Lain driving in a careless manner on Paris Road about 1:30 p.m. and he ran a stop light before he could be stopped for questioning. The officers said they could smell the raw marijuana as they approached the vehicle and found the five ounces in separate bags inside, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Lain initially said he had just bought the marijuana but the story didn’t ring true to officers and eventually he agreed to a search of his home in Chalmette.

A handgun reported stolen in Baton Rouge was recovered, along with about two pounds of marijuana, which Lain had in several large bags and numerous smaller bags, and the cash, the sheriff said.

It was also determined Lain was out on bond from an armed robbery charge in New Orleans.

He is being in St. Bernard Parish Prison pending an appearance before a judge to have bond set

Anyone suspecting drug activity in St. Bernard Parish should call the Sheriff’s Office DOPE HOTLINE at 504-271-DOPE or the regular Sheriff’s Office number at 271-2501.

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Two men arrested in seperate incidents involving sexual acts with young girls, one of whom was three; One man was on bond for an obscenity arrest in 2012

Two Chalmette men have been arrested in separate incidents involving them having sexual acts with young girls, one of whom was only three years old at the time, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Kevin Davis, 59, 3617 Delambert St., was booked March 1 with sexual battery and molestation of the three-year, which happened about two years ago, the sheriff said.

He said Davis committed the sexual acts with the child while he was baby-sitting.

The girl’s mother came forward recently to report that the girl said she had been touched inappropriately by Davis.

Det. Sgt. Anthony Bruscato interviewed the mother and child, then presented the case to a judge who issued arrest warrants alleging sexual battery and molestation and Davis was arrested.

Davis, at the time of his arrest, was out on bond for an obscenity arrest in Chalmette last fall, the sheriff said.

Davis is now being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of a $300,000 bond set in his case.

Sheriff Pohlmann also that, in an unrelated matter, a 45-year-old Chalmette man was arrested Feb. 28 on charges of aggravated incest with his 9-year-old step-daughter, with the sex abuse happening over a period of the last two years.

The same man, whose name hasn’t been released to protect the identity of his step-daughter, was also booked on two counts of sexual battery and one count of indecent behavior with an 11-year girl who was a friend of the step-daughter. That girl was touched inappropriately when she spent a weekend visit at the friend’s house in February, the sheriff said.

The incidents came to light when the 11-year-old’s mother reported what happened to her daughter and the 11-year-old told sheriff’s detectives her younger friend was also being touched by the step-father.

Sheriff Pohlmann said the step-daughter was questioned by detectives from the Juvenile Division and acknowledged she was a victim of sexual abuse by her step-father.

Det. Sgt. Michelle Canepa brought the evidence to a judge, who signed arrest warrants alleging the various sexual acts involving the juveniles.
The step-father’s was arrested and has since been released from St. Bernard Parish Prison on bond of $100,000.

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Irish-Italian-Islenos Community Parade starts in chilly weather but warms up in the sunshine

The Irish-Italian-Islenos Community Parade in Chalmette on Sunday began in chilly weather that warmed up in sunshine, bringing out a large crowd. which sought throws which included cabbages, potaoes and carrots along with beads. Shown, the crowd along West Judge Perez Drive waves for throws from a float. Also, St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s deputies Lt. Jennifer Gutierrez and Chris Chambers were among deputies who handled the parade route. Also, several spectators came up to greet Sheriff James Pohlmann as he rode. The crowd seemed to have a good time. One man boiled crawfish on the neutral ground and another used a net to catch potatoes tossed to him. Also, a young boy, Deago Williams of Chalmette, wearing beads around his neck, took in the parade from his stroller as he enjoyed a peeled orange.

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Motorist hits side of moving train at crossing at the Port in Chalmette; No one injured but vehicle and train damaged and driver cited for careless operation

A Denham Springs man coming out on the road to the St. Bernard Port in Chalmette hit the side of a moving train at a crossing Thursday night, Feb. 28, and was cited for careless operation but wasn’t injured, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Mark Ross, 20, was north-bound on Melvyn Perez Drive about 6:30 p.m. and stopped on the river side of the crossing for a Norfolk Railroad train.

But Ross told investigating sheriff’s deputies he dropped his cell phone, bent to pick it up, and his foot slipped off the brake and he hit the side of the train, which was west-bound.

No one was injured but the front end of Ross’s truck was damaged, as well the train, the sheriff said.

Ross received a citation for careless operation.

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Students from St. Bernard schools participated in the parish Special Olympics Day, put on with help from numerous volunteers including the Sheriff’s Office

A parade of student participants, volunteers and teachers kicked off the Special Olympics for St. Bernard Parisch schools held Friday, March 1 at Chalmette High’s football stadium.

Student participants and volunteers from Chalmette High assisting them are shown.

About 70 special athletes in St. Bernard Parish schools took part in the annual parish Special Olympics held Friday, March 1 at Chalmette High School’s Bobby Nuss Stadium, participating in events including running, jumping and throwing.

Numerous volunteers took part in putting on the event, including the Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division and officers from the D.A.R.E. anti-drug education program, said Polly Campbell, coordinator of the volunteers.

Each athlete was paired with at least one volunteer student from Chalmette High to help and encourage them.

Before the events began, the special athletes took part in a parade on the track around the football field, accompanied by volunteers, teachers and members of the Chalmette High band.

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Man booked with theft of 20 tires from a Chalmette store at night after deputy on patrol sees him driving out from behind the building in a rental truck

Jonathan Burden, driver of truck, who was booked with felony theft of the tires.

Stolen tires recovered in cargo of rental truck spotted leaving from behind a Chalmette store. Photo by Ryan Melerine.

A Marrero man was booked with felony theft of about 20 tires from a Chalmette store late Wednesday night after a sheriff’s deputy on patrol thought it odd that he was driving a rental truck out from behind the building when the business was closed, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Jonathan Burden, 40, was arrested just before midnight when Dep. Ryan Melerine, on patrol on West Judge Perez Drive, stopped him for questioning after spotting him driving a large U-Haul truck out from behind a tire business.

Sheriff Pohlmann said, “This is an example of an arrest made and stolen property recovered because a sheriff’s deputy on patrol was alert and took the time to investigate something that didn’t seem right to him,’’ the sheriff said of Melerine.

Burden initially told Deputy Melerine he had gone behind the building because he had to go to the bathroom and was simply leaving when he was spotted.

When asked about the rental truck, Burden said he was in the tire business and happened to have tires in the back of the vehicle, saying he had rented it that afternoon to move furniture, but couldn’t provide any documentation.

Burden opened the back and there were about 20 used tires.

But Melerine also noticed they were wet, as if they had recently been outside.

Under questioning, the driver denied taking any tires from the tire business. But Melerine contacted a store official who said no one had permission to be on the property behind the business and also said any used tires behind there would have been stacked neatly.

A sheriff’s report of the arrest said the deputy found that the tires left behind the store were thrown about as if someone had sorted through them.

Burden was arrested and booked with felony theft of goods worth more than $500, criminal trespassing and with traffic offenses. He was being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison lin liru of bond set at $10,000.

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“Person of interest’’ in murder of man killed in N.O. and unearthed in St. Bernard on Tuesday now in NOPD custody after his arrest by St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office; Victim identified as Jeffrey Bonck Sr., 55

New Orleans police said they have a “person of interest” in custody in connection with the beating death of Jeffrey W. Bonck Sr., whose body was unearthed in St. Bernard Parish on Tuesday.

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested the “person of interest’’ a week ago on an unrelated charge of domestic violence and he was held in St. Bernard Parish Prison until Friday, when he was turned over to New Orleans police investigating the Bonck killing, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The name of the man they now have in custody hasn’t been released.

Bonck, 55, was murdered in Orleans Parish last August but his body was buried several feet below ground, off Florissant Highway, in eastern St. Bernard. Bonck was reported missing from eastern New Orleans in August.

Bonck’s body was uncovered in eastern St. Bernard Parish on Tuesday, Feb 26, after an associate of Bonck’s came forward and told the NOPD where he had been buried.

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office assisted in the case from the point where they were informed of the New Orleans investigation, including arresting the suspect on the unrelated charge and obtaining the search warrant to dig on the property where the body was found, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

LSU’s Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services — the FACES laboratory – worked to unearth the body, with the help of an excavating machine from St. Bernard Parish government.

Bonck’s identity was confirmed after the body was sent to the Orleans Parish coroner’s office, according to authorities.

Bonck was reported missing on Aug. 14, 2012, when his brother contacted police to say the last he had heard from him was in the form of a voicemail that Bonck had left on his phone on Aug. 11 about 3 a.m.

Bonck’s brother told police he checked the brother’s house in the 7500 block of Michigan Street later that day but couldn’t find him and grew concerned because it was uncharacteristic of his brother.

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