Berwick police book two men on sex crime charges involving juveniles

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

Berwick police booked two men on sex crime charges this week, both on allegations involving juveniles.

Also, three people arrested on disturbing the peace charges after fight at a Francis Street home in Berwick.

Berwick

Police Chief David S. Leonard reported these arrests:

—Albert J. Stevens II, 48, Berwick, was arrested at 7 p.m. Tuesday on a Berwick warrant alleging aggravated crime against nature.

In March, Berwick police detectives began an investigation after it was alleged that Stevens had sexual contact with the juvenile victim. Following a lengthy investigation, evidence was uncovered that supported the victim’s statements, and warrants were prepared for his arrest.

On Tuesday, he was taken into custody while appearing for an unrelated court appearance in Franklin. Stevens was transferred to the Berwick Police Department, where he was booked into the Berwick Jail. He remains in jail with bond ng set at $500,000.

Due to the age of the victim and the nature of this investigation, there will be no further information released on this matter.

—Glynn A. Guidry Jr., 42, Carline Street, Berwick, was arrested at 7:07 p.m. Wednesday on a Berwick warrant alleging indecent behavior with juveniles and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.

On June 13, Berwick officers and detectives began an investigation after a complainant reported that her juvenile daughter had inappropriate contact with Guidry while at his residence in Berwick. Throughout the course of the investigation, officers learned that Guidry supplied the juvenile with drugs and alcohol on multiple occasions and he had inappropriate contact with the juvenile.

Warrants were prepared for his arrest, and he was taken into custody while at the Morgan City Jail, where he was being held on unrelated charges. He was booked at the Berwick Police Department then transferred to the Morgan City Jail for housing.

—Jared Gaudet, 32, Jones Street, Berwick, was arrested at 9:09 p.m. Monday on a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of driving under suspension.

At 8:45 p.m. Monday, officers responded to a residence on Jones Street in reference to a disturbance in progress. Throughout the course of the complaint, officers came into contact with Gaudet and found that he had an active warrant through the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.

He was placed under arrest and booked into the Berwick Jail. He was released after posting a $750 bond.

—Adonte J. Williams, 18, Tiffany Street, Patterson, was arrested at 3:15 p.m. Thursday on charges of simple battery, felony simple criminal damage to property and disturbing the peace (fighting).

—Lashana Bennett, 41, Tiffany Street, Patterson, was arrested at 3:15 p.m. Thursday on a charge of disturbing the peace (fighting).:

—Keisha Howard, 46, Francis Street, Berwick, was arrested at 3:47 p.m. Thursday of disturbing the peace (fighting).

At 1:32 p.m. Thursday, officers responded to a residence on Francis Street in reference to a disturbance. Officers arrived and interviewed the victims and witnesses and discovered that the entire incident was captured on video.

Officers learned that Williams and Bennett went to Howard’s residence, but did not go into her yard. Howard exited her home and continuously enticed them into entering her yard to fight her, but they left. She began yelling at them to come back, which they did, and she continued to try to entice them into a fight.

Moments later, Howard ran out of her house and engaged both of them in a fistic encounter. During the fight, Williams struck a juvenile several times as the juvenile tried to break up the fight. Also during the fight, Williams damaged Howard’s vehicle, then threw an object through the glass storm door on her residence.

After they separated, Williams and Bennett left the area and were located shortly afterwards in Patterson. All three subjects involved were arrested.

Bennett and Howard were released on a summons to appear in court, and Williams was booked into the Berwick Jail where he remains with no bond set at this time.

—Wade Rives 40, Ewen Court, Belle River, was arrested at 4:42 a.m. Friday on charges of modified exhaust and driving under suspension and on a St. Mary warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of criminal neglect of family.

About 4:03 a.m. Friday, officers observed a vehicle with modified exhaust. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle, and officers made contact with Rives.

During the course of the stop, it was learned that Rives’ driver’s license was suspended and that he had an active warrant through the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office. Rives was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department where he was booked. Rives remains incarcerated with no bond set at this time.

St. Mary

Sheriff Blaise Smith reported that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff's Office responded to 35 complaints and made these arrests:

--Blake Jacoby Smith, 31, Patterson, was arrested at 12:15 p.m. Thursday on two warrants alleging failure to appear on the charges of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bail has not been set.

--Craig Michael Free, 36, Berwick, was arrested at 3:50 p.m. Thursday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on charges of battery of a dating partner, theft, simple criminal damage to property, prohibited acts and unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling.

Bail was set at $22,000.