Calls about suspicious activity lead to seizures of over 4 pounds of marijuana worth $42,000 and, separately, 18 pot plants found growing in a house; 4 arrested

The two men arrested with the marijuana, from left, Bryant Matthews of Chalmette, and Tristan Newsome of California. Photos from drivers’ licenses.

More than four pounds of high-grade marijuana seized in Chalmette, worth $42,000.

Two calls from Chalmette residents about activity they suspected to be burglaries in progress led, instead, to separate seizures of more than four pounds of high-grade marijuana worth $42,000 and nearly $13,000 in cash, and 18 pot plants growing in a house, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

“We always encourage people to call us if they see anything that doesn’t look right to them, even if it turns out to be nothing,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

“In these two cases residents thought there might be burglaries in progress,’’ the sheriff said, and “through good work by our deputies two major narcotics cases involving high-grade marijuana were made, with four people arrested.’’

Call (504) 271-2501 if you believe anything suspicious is happening, the sheriff said.

Neither case involved a burglary.

In the one with the five pounds of marijuana, a man was seen trying to enter an apartment May 10 in the 8100 block of West St. Bernard Highway that wasn’t his. When a call was made to the Sheriff’s Office by a resident, Sgt. Brandon Licciardi confronted the man, who said he had just moved in recently and was confused about which apartment was his.

When he showed the deputy he lived on the premises by opening a door with a key, Licciardi smelled raw marijuana in the apartment, which led to the discovery of the marijuana and nearly $13,000 cash.

Narcotics Unit officers were alerted and a search warrant was obtained. There was 4.10 pounds of high-grade marijuana concealed in several backpacks, authorities said.

Arrested were Bryant Matthews, 28, Apt. 1303 at 8149 West St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette; and a second man, Tristan Newsome, 26, who said he was visiting Matthews from San Pablo, Calif.

Both were booked with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Matthews, who also has another address in New Orleans, had about $1,500 cash on him and $11,300 cash was found in small denominations in a bag in a kitchen cabinet, authorities said.

Both suspects were booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison but have since been released on bond; Matthews on a $60,0000 bond and Newsome on bond of $40,000.

In the case with 18 marijuana plants being cultivated, a resident called the Sheriff’s Office May 12 to say a door was open to a residence on Volpe Drive and thought a burglary might be happening, the sheriff said.

When deputies Byron Shoemaker and Karl Bartholomew arrived at 2100 Volpe Drive, they saw an open back door and saw the house was in disarray, with different items on the floor in a way suggesting there had been a burglary.

The deputies went through the open door to investigate and see if anyone was still inside. Instead of burglars, they found a marijuana grow operation with 18 plants, the sheriff said.

Then, other deputies who came saw the occupant of the residence, Craig Billiot, 27, drive by with a woman passenger. When deputies conducted a traffic stop they smelled raw marijuana in the vehicle and found a small amount, the sheriff said.

Also, the woman, Parris Huffman, 25, was found to have 26 pills of the prescription drug Alprazolam.

Billiot and Huffman, who had both been living at 2100 Volpe Drive, were both booked with cultivation of marijuana – which is a felony – possession of the small amount of marijuana in the vehicle and she was booked additionally with possession of the prescription pills.

They were booked into St. Bernard Prison. No bond information was available.

---

David DiMaggio Jr. of Arabi receives $500 scholarship from La. Sheriff’s Assoc. Scholarship Program; He will attend UNO in fall

David DiMaggio Jr., 18, of Arabi, who is graduating Holy Cross High School, has received a $500 academic scholarship from the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association Scholarship Program for 2013.

The son of Anna and David DiMaggio, Sr., he will attend the University of New Orleans this fall and plans to major in computer science.

The scholarship is funded through donations to the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association Honorary Membership Program.

St. Bernard Parish’s Sheriff’s Office participates in the Sheriff’s Association program and Sheriff James Pohlmann met with the winner and family members.

Qualities such as academic achievement, leadership and character are considered in making selections of sheriff’s scholarship recipients. The only limitations are that applicants be permanent residents of Louisiana, that scholarships be utilized in higher education within the state and the students be enrolled as full-time undergraduates.

Sheriff Pohlmann said, “What I like about the program is it invests in Louisiana’s future. This wouldn’t be possible without the kind and generous support of St. Bernard Parish’s honorary members.’’

---

Drug Awareness Resistance Education graduation held at Joseph Davies School; parents and staff told drug overdoses and fatalities are dropping; Sheriff tells 5th-graders their choices will affect the rest of their lives

The sheriff and other officers shake hands with D.A.R.E. graduates as certificates are given out.

Daren the Lion, mascot of the national D.A.R.E. program,, portrayed by Cpl. Jessica Gernados.

Drug overdoses and fatalities in St. Bernard Parish dropped roughly 50 percent in the past two years, sheriff’s officials told parents, teachers and students at Joseph Davies School at the graduation of 100 fifth-graders from the sheriff’s Drug Awareness Resistance Education program on May 14.

The number of ODs in St. Bernard dropped from 90, with 20 fatalities, in 2010 to 50 overdoses, with nine fatalities, in 2012.

That’s the good news but the fight against illegal drug use has a long way to go and Sheriff James Pohlmann told D.A.R.E. graduates their choices of friends and decisions on how to conduct themselves, including whether to use alcohol or drugs, will affect the rest of their lives.

“Parents need to stay involved’’ with their children, including talking with them often and looking for signs they are getting into things that will hurt them, Sheriff Pohlmann said. Parents can help them avoid the peer pressure to get involved with drugs, alcohol or violence, he said.

If necessary, drug test kits available at pharmacies can be used at home to test young people, the sheriff told parents. If their children are on drugs, parents should look for treatment options to get to the problem, he said.

“Don’t wait until it is too late,’’ to make a difference for a young person who has stumbled, the sheriff told parents. “Learn the warning signs of drug use,’’ in young people, he said, including:

– Loss of interest in things they used to do such as sports or reading.
– Hanging around with new groups of friends unknown to parents.
– Sudden attitude or mood swings.
– Sudden problems at school and their grades.

For everyone, life is about the choices they make, he said. The D.A.R.E. program, given by St. Bernard by program commander Lt. Lisa Jackson and Sgt. Darrin Miller, helps guide children to be thinking about making the right choice, he said.

“We have many people in our jail who made a bad choice’’ when they decided to commit a criminal act.

Maj. Chad Clark, commander of Special Investigations including the Narcotics Unit, said it takes the kind of education effort given by Sheriff’s Office drug resistance instructors at parish schools to affect the drug problem in America. “You have received the tools you need’’ from the D.A.R.E. instructors.

The 10 overdose deaths in St. Bernard last year is still not good enough but it shows improvement, he said.

The drop could be attributable to a number of reasons, Clark said, including enforcement of drug laws but also a new statewide prescription monitoring board the Sheriff’s Office pushed for to try to stop the illegal practice of going from doctor to doctor trying to collect prescription medications.

He said parents can call the SID Division at (504) 271-DOPE to make an appointment to discuss a particular problem involving their children and drugs.

Taking part in the D.A.R.E. graduation from the Sheriff’s Office besides Sheriff Pohlmann, Maj. Clark, Lt. Jackson and Sgt. Miller were Capt. Ronnie Martin and Lt. Richard Jackson, Cpl. Jessica Gernados – who appeared in costume as Daren the Lion, mascot of the national D.A.R.E. program – and Agent Daniel Bostic, all of the SID Division.

---

Large haul of heroin, two stolen assault rifles, body armor, marijuana, two handguns and nearly $11,000 cash seized, with six arrested in Chalmette; $9,000 cash found in clothing in a closet in a related arrest

Terrence Tyler and Kwydwn Shields, main subjects in seizure of five ounces of heroin, two stolen assault rifles, body armor and other items.

The stolen assault rifles recovered

A large amount of heroin – more than five ounces worth at least $15,000 – has been seized in Chalmette by federal drug agents and the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office and also found were two stolen assault rifles, body armor, two pounds of marijuana, two hand guns and nearly $11,000 cash. Six were arrested, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

“This is a large amount of heroin to be seized in St. Bernard Parish but we are also glad to get the stolen assault rifles, body armor, hand guns and marijuana off the streets,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Stolen assault rifles and body armor are especially troubling, in addition to the drugs, the sheriff said.

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration identified a man and woman living in Chalmette as the heroin and marijuana suppliers in the operation and with help from the Narcotics Unit of the Sheriff’s Office a total of four men and two women were arrested.

The main man in the operation will be prosecuted by federal authorities on the heroin and assault rifles cases and the others will be prosecuted on state charges, the sheriff said.

“The cooperation we enjoy with other agencies made these arrests possible,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Maj. Chad Clark, head of the Special Investigations Division whose officers worked with the federal agents in the arrests, said Sheriff’s Office participation in task forces with the DEA, FBI, U.S. Marshal’s Service and State Police produces good results for the parish.

Sheriff Pohlmann said Terrence Tyler, 23, who had been living at 204 5th St. in Chalmette with Kwydwn Shields, also 23, is the main player in the operation and is being held by federal authorities. Neither are St. Bernard natives and neither have previous felony criminal records as adults.

The sheriff said authorities believe heroin was being sold by them in quantities of at least one-ounce.

It was estimated the heroin was worth about $15,000 as it was but was pure enough that it could have been cut in a way making it possible to sell it for much more. The marijuana had an estimated value of $3,000.

Some $1,637 in cash was also seized in the couple’s residence.

Tyler and Shields and four others were arrested May 2 at their residence but investigation continued before the cases were revealed.

Shields is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bond set at $80,000.

She is booked with possession of heroin and marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of firearms in the commission of other crimes, illegal possession of body armor and possession of stolen property, the assault rifles.

Tyler will also face the same state counts as the woman.

Three men who were in front of a property Tyler allegedly owns near where he lived and was being renovated were also arrested. As officers approached the three, they found a bag with 2.3 grams of heroin on the ground, the sheriff said.

Booked with possession of the heroin were: Wilbert Smith Jr., 32, 4026 Juno Drive, Chalmette; and Calvin Crump Jr., 36, and Joseph Randolph Jr., 59, both of New Orleans. The sheriff said it was believed they may have been helping renovate Tyler’s property near his home in exchange for heroin.

Crump has served prison terms for murder and second-degree kidnapping, the sheriff said.

Smith initially consented to a search of his Chalmette residence, the sheriff said, but after officers went inside and saw a small amount of marijuana he changed his mind and demanded they get a search warrant from a judge.

Once the warrant was obtained, authorities located more than $9,000 in cash hidden in clothing in a closet, the sheriff said. Smith was booked with possession of marijuana and the money was seized.

A woman who also lived at the Juno residence, Uneike McGrew, 30, was also booked on the marijuana count.

---

Name of St. Bernard Sheriff’s Dep. Sam Gowland, slain in 1926, added to Louisiana Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in ceremony at Lake Lawn Cemeteries

Some of the deputies from the Sheriff’s Office who attended included, from left, Maj. Chad Clark, Sgt. Joey Alfonso and Capt. Ronnie Morgan. Also present were Capt. C.J. Arcement and Lt. Robert Broadhead.	Samuel D. Gowland Jr., left, grandson of the slain deputy sheriff, and his wife, Diane, receive a remembrance of the officer. With them are Sheriff Pohlmann and Melanie Cannatella, executive director of the Louisiana Law enforcement Officers Memorial.
St. Bernard’s Sheriff’s Honor Guard, which included that day, from left, Dep. Sheriff Clayten Burns, Sgt. Michael Lyons, and Deputies Eric Wickboldt and Chelsie Soulagnet, were among several honor guards from various departments.	Sheriff James Pohlmann addresses the crowd from the podium. Seated to his left are former U.S.Attorney Jim Letten and New Orleans Police Superintendant Ronal Serpas.

It was dawn on Nov. 16, 1926, four days before the start of muskrat-trapping season in the marshes of eastern St. Bernard Parish, a lucrative trade at that time, but also a cause of violence the past several years because of a dispute between trappers and landowners.

That dispute was about to get bloody that day and cost the life of St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Sam Gowland, 33, a former justice of the peace. The incident became part of the legendary Trappers War of St. Bernard.

Gowland was aboard an oyster lugger with a large number of guards allegedly hired by the historically controversial Judge Leander Perez of Plaquemines Parish. They set out for the community of Delacroix Island to protect leased trapping lands but, unknown to them, hundreds of trappers had gathered there to discuss the situation. As the boat passed the trappers, an intense battle broke out involving machine guns, shotguns and pistols, according to news stories afterward.

Both sides claimed the other had fired first but the trappers got the best of the exchange. The boat was riddled with bullets and when the trappers ceased fire, Gowland lay dead on its deck and many of the men who had been on board were seriously wounded and had to fight their way ashore.

Days later two men were arrested for murder but were never prosecuted.

Within months, the intentional breaking of the levee at Caernarvon during the Great Flood of 1927 would wash away the trappers’ livelihood. Then, before the muskrats could repopulate the marshes, the Great Depression would destroy the market for inexpensive furs.

Now, Sam Gowland’s death is being noted as an officer who died in the line of duty.

On May 8, Dep. Gowland’s name was added to the Louisiana Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in a ceremony at Lake Lawn Cemeteries in Metairie honoring all officers who have died in the line of duty.

Also, his name is being added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Two other St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s deputies have previously been recognized for their deaths in the line of duty, both killed on April 23, 1923. They are Dep. Sheriff Joseph Estopinal who was shot to death, and Dep. Sheriff August Esteves, killed by vehicular assault.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann took part in the ceremony at Lake Lawn, in which the names of deputies from several other parishes’ sheriff’s offices, officers from city police departments and a federal customs inspector who all died in the line of duty were added to the Louisiana Law Enforcement Officers memorial.

Several other St. Bernard deputies attended the ceremony and an Honor Guard from St. Bernard’s department also took part.

Sheriff Pohlmann described to a large audience of survivors of fallen officers and current officers at the ceremony the circumstances in which Dep. Sheriff Gowland was killed.

“He made the ultimate sacrifice’’ an officer can make and should be remembered for that, the sheriff said.

“It’s been 87 years since a member of St. Bernard’s Sheriff’s Office has been killed,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Thank God for that.’’ But the possibility of it happening is something the men and women of law enforcement must face each day they put on a uniform, he said.

Two grandsons of the deceased deputy were present at the ceremony along with other descendants. The grandsons were Samuel D. Gowland Jr., who attended with his wife, Diane, and the other was Frank Mumphrey, who attended with his wife, Gail. Both men said they were proud to see their grandfather’s name added to the memorial. The Louisiana Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, whose executive director is Melanie Cannatella of St. St. Bernard native – widow of New Orleans Police Department officer Ronald Cannatella – was dedicated on May 20, 2002. There are now the names of 425 fallen law enforcement officers are inscribed on the memorial.

Among the latest new names besides Gowland were fallen St. John deputies Brandon Nielsen and Jeremy Triche, killed last August while investigating a shooting that injured two fellow deputies, and John Stout, a U.S. Customs Inspector shot to death on Jan. 20, 1814, while trying to arrest the notorious pirate Jean Lafitte for smuggling.

---

Sheriff tells seniors to focus on making good choices in life and refrain from bad ones such as using alcohol or drugs to celebrate Prom night and graduation; Also encourages them to attend Project Graduation party

Sheriff James Pohlmann addresses Chalmette High seniors at their graduation rehersal in the former gym.

Sheriff Pohlmann and Chalmette High Principal wayne Warner after the sheriff addressed seniors.

Sheriff James Pohlmann had a message for Chalmette High seniors he addressed during their graduation rehearsal: focus on making good choices in life and refrain from bad ones like any temptation to use alcohol or drugs to celebrate your graduation.

“Prom Night and Graduation Night are nights to remember,” the sheriff said. “But you have to focus on making good choices in your life’’ to create good memories. “Good people can make bad choices sometimes,’’ he told seniors gathered in the old Chalmette High gym for graduation rehearsal.

And sometimes those choices can be fatal, he said.

“You want happy memories about how your date looked at the Prom, or memories of your loved ones and how happy they were for you when you graduated,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. Don’t end up with sad memories over something you will always remember because you made the wrong choice, he said.

Sheriff Pohlmann said he has memories of seeing teen-agers who had been killed in vehicle crashes after drinking alcohol and memories of then seeing their devastated relatives whose lives had been changed by the sad news they received. Everyone wants seniors to have fun, he said. “Don’t mess it up with alcohol or drugs and by making bad choices.’’

Senior Prom night is May 11 and graduation night for Chalmette High is May 16. Sheriff Pohlmann also told the teen-agers to consider staying after graduation for the all-night party hosted by St. Bernard Project Graduation, a nonprofit group made up of volunteers, which is held until 6 a.m. the morning after. This is Project Graduation’s 20th anniversary.

It’s an alcohol-free night of carnival-like games, music, food and a chance to win cash prizes if they spend the night in the back ballroom of the Frederick Sigur Civic Center after graduation ceremonies are over in the front half of the building. “It will be fun,’’ the sheriff said. “Have a great safe night’’ at the Prom and graduation.

---

S.O. Reserve Division at highest number since Hurricane Katrina and sheriff wants to add more; Several just graduated basic law enforcement training

St. Bernard’s Sheriff’s Reserve Division, unpaid volunteer officers who supplement department manpower for special occasions such as athletic events, parades, festivals and other gatherings, is now at its highest number since Hurricane Katrina and Sheriff James Pohlmann is looking for more applicants.

The Reserve Division, headed by Capt. Charles Borchers who is also head of Community Relations for the Sheriff’s Office, is now up to 27 members.

In a recent ceremony, 10 from the group just graduated a 100-hour basic law enforcement training program given by Maj. David DiMaggio, director of department training.

Five corrections officers from St. Bernard Parish Prison also graduated at the same ceremony after receiving what is called POST Level 3 training from DiMaggio.

Sheriff Pohlmann, speaking to graduates and families in a ceremony in the sheriff’s Training Center in Chalmette, noted that decades ago the Reserve Division had almost 100 members.

Gradually, the number declined and after Hurricane Katrina, when many St. Bernard residents never came back to live in the parish, the number was down to less than 10.

Sheriff Pohlmann said, “One of my goals has been build to build up the Reserve Division again and we want people who are truly committed to the Sheriff’s Office.

Saying he is glad to see the reserves at their highest number in years, he encouraged members to be proud of what they are doing to help their community. The sheriff has said he would like to see the Reserve Division grow to least 40 members and said applicants of quality are welcome to submit an application.

“We have come a long way in the talent of people who work here (in both the regular and reserve forces),’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “I have raised the bar. We pride ourselves on professionalism and I believe we are respected by residents for our professionalism.’’

DiMaggio announced the creation of an award for perfect attendance during the 100-hour training course.

Called the “Always There Award,’’ it is named in honor of Deputy Sheriff Sgt. Johnny Huff, now deceased, who started as a St. Bernard reserve deputy in the 1980s and became a full-time officer in 1995.

The first recipients were Reserve Division Deputies Frank Auderer III and Matthew White.

Attending the presentation were Huff family members Kathleen Huff, Johnny Huff’s widow; daughter Capt. Angela Peraza of the Sheriff’s Office, Huff’s son, Timothy Huff; and Huff’s brother-in-law, Dennis Martin.

Also, Reserve Deputy Dixie Dusang won first in academics in the reserve training, Deputy Aaron Johnson was second and Deputy Chris Palazzalo was third.

Others who graduated the reserves training course were Deputies Laurence Amberson, Sal D’Antoni III, Merlin Flores, Corey Gonzales and Shelton Smith.

Corrections Division deputies who graduated the training program were Thomas Cosse, Cynthis Gioe, Eric Eilers, Mel Navo and Lisa Vaccarella.

Capt. Borchers said he is still accepting applications for the Reserve Division from St. Bernard Parish residents who have a clean police record and would like to serve their community.

Borchers can be reached at (504) 278-7628 for further information and applicants will be directed to fill out further paper work.

To apply for the Reserve Division an applicant:

– Must live in St. Bernard Parish.
– Be able to pass a background check and drug screen, which would be done on all applicants.
– Be at least 21 years old.
– Have earned a high school diploma or GED.

---

Couple hung over from birthday celebration booked with drugs and improper supervision of minors when young boy missed a school bus and deputies found deplorable conditions in his home; Woman with children with her arrested for theft in a separate case

Stephen Parker, arrested with Bienemy

Desmonique Bienemy: arrested for drugs and other charges after deputies investigate why her son missed his school bus

A Violet couple hung over from her birthday celebration was booked April 30 with drug possession, improper supervision of minors and use of controlled substances in the presence of minors when their young boy missed his school bus and sheriff’s deputies found deplorable conditions in his home, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Desmonique Bienemy, who made 27 on April 29, and Stephen Parker, 25, both of 5705 6th St., were also both booked with contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. The couple’s 2-year-old boy and her 9-year-old boy were released to the custody of another woman. State child protection authorities were also notified.

Both Bienemy and Parker were released from jail on bonds on Wednesday.

A witness who saw the 9-year-old walking in the neighborhood in his school uniform after missing his school bus notified the Sheriff’s Office about 9 a.m. Dep. Sheriff Henry Senez found the boy, who said his parents were sleeping, and asked him to take him to his home to find out why he wasn’t in school, the sheriff said.

Parker answered the door and said the mother was sleeping and when she came to the door she admitted she had been drinking the night before celebrating her birthday and didn’t wake up in time to get the boy on the bus, the sheriff said.

The deputy reported to superiors he could see the inside of the residence appeared unfit and possibly unsafe for children. A Juvenile Division detective came out and asked the woman for permission to look through the home and she agreed, the sheriff said.

Inside, deputies found deplorable conditions and also found marijuana in a baggie and partially marijuana cigarettes. Bienemy and Parker were then arrested.

In a separate incident, a Chalmette woman who had children with her was booked with theft on April 30 when she was caught with numerous items she had taken from a shed on Regiment Street in Chalmette and had placed them in the trunk of her vehicle.

Gado Shelley, 32, 8544 Valor Drive, was also booked with three counts of contributing to the delinquency of three young children with her, two of them her children and a third the child of a neighbor, the sheriff said.

A call about a suspicious person who appeared to be taking things was made to the Sheriff’s Office in mid-afternoon, Sheriff Pohlmann said. Deputies Ryan Ajan and Gary Noriea found Shelley pulling out of a driveway on Regiment Drive in a vehicle in which the trunk was so filled it couldn’t be closed, according to a sheriff’s report.

She first said her uncle owned the property and she had permission to take the items but she declined to try to reach him to talk to deputies and finally admitted her story wasn’t true, after which she was held for investigation, the sheriff said.

A neighbor told deputies the name of the actual owner of the property and supplied a phone number for him to be reached. The owner said no one had permission to take anything and later arrived to identify his property, taken from a shed.

Shelley was arrested and her children released to the custody of the mother of one of the children that was with her at the time. Shelley has been released from jail on $5,500 bond.

---