St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report

At least 7 arrests have been made over the last 24 hours by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office:

Kesler Sauzo Benegas, 23, 501 Louisa Street, Morgan City, LA was arrested on November 4, 2015 at 7:20 am for hit and run driving and no driver's license. A deputy working the scene of a two vehicle crash learned from a witness that one of the drivers involved had left the area. During the course of crash investigation, the driver who fled returned to the scene and was identified as Benegas. Benegas was released on a summons to appear in court on February 11, 2016.

Jose Ventura, 31, Jeanerette, LA was additionally charged with entering contraband into a penal institution on November 4, 2015 at 12:03 pm. While conducting a search of a dorm at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center, members of the security team located a cell phone belonging to inmate Ventura. Ventura remains incarcerated. No bail is set.

Jessica L. Ross Pearce, 26, 1655 Filmore Street, Morgan City, LA was arrested on November 4, 2015 at 6:19 pm on 3 warrants for failure to appear for a drug court status conference. A deputy transported Pearce from the Ouachita Parish Correctional Center to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. Bail is set at $300,000.

Brandon Hill, 33, 117 Jupiter Street, Bayou Vista, LA was arrested on November 4, 2015 at 8:18 pm for possession of marijuana.

Trey Simoneaux, 32, 111 Hendricks Street, Patterson, LA was arrested on November 4, 2015 at 8:18 pm for possession of marijuana.

Detectives with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division with the assistance of the Morgan City Police Department Narcotics Division and Patterson Police Department conducted an investigation into suspected illegal drug activity taking place at a business located at 209 Hwy 90 West in Patterson. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the business, T-1 Tattoos. During the execution of the warrant, detectives located marijuana. Two employees, Hill and Simoneaux, were released on summonses to appear in court on February 11, 2016.
Brian Derouen, 27, 128 Polaris Street, Bayou Vista, LA was arrested on November 5, 2015 at 12:36 am for the following offenses:
- Driving in the left lane
- Flight from an officer
- Possession of Schedule II (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute (over 28 grams)
- Obstruction of justice
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance
- Resisting an officer
- No seat belt
- Possession of marijuana

Theresa Trahan, 28, 1402 Palmisano Drive, Houma, LA was arrested on November 5, 2015 at 12:36 am for the following offenses:
- Obstruction of justice
- No seat belt
- Possession of Schedule II (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute (over 28 grams)
- Possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance
- Possession of marijuana
- Possession of drug paraphernalia

Detectives with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division
observed a vehicle traveling in the left lane east bound on Highway 90 in Jeanerette. The vehicle continued to travel in the left lane for several miles impeding the flow of traffic. Detectives contacted a patrol deputy to conduct a traffic stop. The deputy initiated the stop. However, the driver, later identified as Derouen, failed to pull over. The deputy and detectives pursued the vehicle. While doing so, detectives saw that neither Derouen nor the passenger, later identified as Trahan, were wearing seat belts. Detectives also observed items being thrown from the passenger side window. The driver then pulled onto the shoulder of the road and stopped. Detectives made contact with Derouen who initially refused to comply with orders to unlock the vehicle. Detectives detained both Derouen and Trahan for further investigation. Detectives recovered the items thrown from the vehicle which included methamphetamine with a street value of approximately $7,500.00, a bag of marijuana, and a loaded firearm. Through the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Derouen and Trahan traveled to New Iberia where they purchased the methamphetamine. Derouen is a convicted felon, and Trahan was also in possession of several syringes, a marijuana pipe, and a marijuana grinder. The Morgan City Police Department Narcotics Division, Patterson Police Department, and Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division assisted in this investigation. Derouen and Trahan were transported to the parish jail for booking. No bail is set.