St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advises that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 29 complaints and reports the following arrests:
Javier Castro Jr., 34, Franklin, LA, was arrested on September 19, 2022, at 8:55 am for aggravated assault with a firearm.
Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Chandra Lane in reference to a male who was armed and threatening to shoot a woman. Deputies responded to the residence and made contact with the man, identified as Castro, who was attempting to leave in a pickup truck.
During the investigation, a handgun was found and Castro was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail has not been set at this time.
Detectives obtained and executed a search warrant at the residence. Subsequently, a possible explosive device that had the appearance of a hand grenade was found. Public safety protocols were implemented, and the U.S. Army dispatched an Explosive Ordinance Disposal team to the location.
Upon arrival, the U.S. Army EOD team x-rayed the device and found the fuse to be inoperable and the device to contain no explosive contents. The device was removed without incident.
Detectives would like to thank the Franklin Fire Department, Centerville Fire Department, Berwick Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the U.S. Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal for their assistance.
Michael Paul Merrick, 60, Baldwin, LA, was arrested on September 19, 2022, at 7:57 pm on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of direct contempt, failure to give required signal, and operating a vehicle without a driver’s license. Bail was set at $365.
NARCOTICS SECTION
Joseph Naquin, 50, Houma, LA, was arrested on September 19, 2022, at 5:41 pm on a Jefferson Davis Parish warrant for possession of stolen property and on a 16th district warrant on the following charges:
- Possession of schedule IV drug (Xanax)
- Possession of schedule II drug (methlyphendate/hydrochloride)
- Possession of a legend drug w/intent to distribute
- Proper equipment required on vehicle
- Switched license plate/stolen license plate
Bail has not been set at this time.
All persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.