The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division and Narcotics Division made eight arrests on Thursday, January 30th.
The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Highway 43 due to a traffic violation, as stated in a press release. The driver, identified as 21-year-old Narada McGill, was apprehended by the Narcotics Investigators.
During the course of the stop, the vehicle was searched based on probable cause, resulting in McGill’s arrest for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Patrol Deputies on Hwy 43 came across an ATV being driven by David Lavinghouse, a 46-year-old resident of Bogalusa, LA. During the encounter, law enforcement discovered that Lavinghouse was carrying a shotgun and drug paraphernalia. However, as a convicted felon, it is illegal for him to possess such weapons. Consequently, he was taken into custody for the charges of possessing drug paraphernalia and possessing a weapon after being convicted of a felony.
Deputies came across Katie Mascaro, a 31-year-old resident of Picayune, during a safety checkpoint at Highway 26 and Waterpark Road. They also identified the other occupants of the vehicle as Sadie Crain, 29, Marrion Boudreaux, 30, and Edward Gros, 23.
Upon searching the vehicle, authorities discovered a substantial quantity of marijuana, as well as drug paraphernalia.
It was also determined by deputies that Mascaro was driving under the influence.
Mascaro faced charges for possessing marijuana with the intention to distribute, as well as possessing drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence.
Crain, Gros, and Boudreaux faced charges for possessing drug paraphernalia.
In the Crossroads Community, the Narcotics Investigators had a chance encounter with a couple walking on Hwy 26. The couple, identified as Robert (45 years old) and Veronica Bellais (46 years old) from Poplarville, engaged in a conversation with the investigators.
During the conversation, investigators noticed that the couple tried to get rid of a pack of cigarettes by tossing it onto the ground.
The pack of cigarettes was recovered by investigators, who observed that it contained a substance resembling methamphetamine.
The authorities apprehended the couple on charges of methamphetamine possession and tampering with evidence.
If you have any information to share, please reach out to the Narcotics Office at 601.403.2580 or get in touch with Mississippi Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers.
