By Jeremy Pittari
Picayune Item

Picayune residents who may be considering an act that would break a narcotics law should be aware that the Picayune Police Department is implementing a zero tolerance policy this summer.
Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said from May 1 to the 17th, more than 20 people have been arrested on various charges related to their most recent effort to fight crime in the city. Magri said that Chief of Police Bryan Dawsey implemented the program as a way to reduce crime in the city, since drug use is the cause of most crimes.
“No matter if you’re a user or seller, we’re going to have a zero tolerance on drugs,” Magri said.
The following suspects were arrested as part of this operation;
Demetrius Rashad Pittman, 22, of 9147 Sellers Place, charged with cultivating a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church; Michael Mitchell, 45, of 813 Telly Rd., charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance within 1,500 feet of a school or church; Timothy Mitchell, 52, of 756 Sycamore Rd., Carriere, charged with possession of paraphernalia, driving while license suspended, no insurance, careless driving, no seatbelt, no turn signal and public profanity; Joshua Levi Whitfield, 26, of 66 Fritz Whitfield Dr., charged with possession of paraphernalia, running a stop sign and driving while license suspended; Devin Brown, 21, of 45 Daisy Andrews Rd., charged with possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle, possession of paraphernalia, no driver’s license, no insurance, failure to register motor vehicle and careless driving; Desmond Montra Robinson, 37, of 121 Church St., Carriere, arrested for trafficking a controlled substance, residential burglary, tampering with physical evidence and failure to yield when an officer signals. Austin William Loper, 25, 46 Curt Rester Rd., Lumberton, charged with possession of paraphernalia; William John David Stevens Jr., 40, of 103 Ruston Rd., Carriere, charged with felony possession of a controlled substance; Leroy Andrew Templet, 53, of 1003 Telly Rd., charged with possession of paraphernalia; Aaron Charles Pohlmann, 20, of 1215 Stemwood Dr., charged with possession of a controlled substance; Mathew Isaac Adams, 19, 926 Clover Circle, charged with possession of a controlled substance; Scott James Warner, 36, 502 East Lakeshore Dr., charged with DUI and possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle; Heather Michelle Terrell, 29, of 1637 U.S. 11 South, charged with possession of a controlled substance and public drunk; Andrew Koby Walters, 27, 33 Grady Landry Rd., Carriere, charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and disorderly conduct; Gary Lynn Varnado, 50, of 71 Dogwood Dr., Carriere, charged with felony possession of a controlled substance; Elaina Quenn Cliatt, 29, 1 Concord Loop Pearl River, La., charged with shoplifting and possession of a controlled substance; Carlos Eugene Johnson, 53, 927 E. Canal St., charged with two counts of felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia; Sean Tamm, 30, 83 American Way, charged with possession of paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and public drunk; Demetrious Mitchell, 19, 825 Herrin Dr., charged with possession of marijuana and false identifying information; Nathan Jerome Smith, 18, 7 Mill Creek Rd., Richton, charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a school or church, introducing contraband into a correctional facility, two counts of felony possession of a controlled substance, directing a minor to commit a felony and no seatbelt; Beaux James Hover, 31, 2608 Jackson Landing Rd., charged with possession of a controlled substance, careless driving and driving while license suspended; Ashton Moore 21, 1112 Martin Luther King Blvd., charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia; and Brian Scott Mcintosh, 42, 103 Country Club Dr., charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and seatbelt violation.
Magri said the drug violations entailed possession or sale of methamphetamine, marijuana, prescription pain medications, liquid codeine and cocaine.