Investigation continues after bust of meth lab

Members of the Washington Parish Drug Task Force continued the assault on illegal drugs in Bogalusa on Thursday night, busting a methamphetamine lab on Avenue G.

Officers, who said the investigation was ongoing, initially arrested five people in the raid in the 1800 block of Avenue G.

Arrested were:
   • Danielle Thomas Cooper, 24, manufacture/production of methamphetamine, operation of a clandestine lab, resisting an officer;
   • Pamela Sue Duhon, 25, manufacture/production of methamphetamine, operation of a clandestine lab;
   • Shannon Jones, 38, manufacture/production of methamphetamine, operation of a clandestine lab, resisting an officer and possession of a schedule III narcotic;

   • Thomas Penton, 36, manufacture/production of methamphetamine, operation of a clandestine lab, resisting an officer, and

   • Julia Tynes, 27, manufacture/production of methamphetamine, operation of a clandestine lab, resisting an officer and possession of methamphetamine

With the 15 persons arrested Tuesday in the raids on the members of the criminal organization of Derek Moss, a total of 22 persons have gone to jail this week on drug charges.

Law enforcement officials on Tuesday promised there were more arrests to come.

(Reader news tip story.)

Shooter in attempted murder arrested

Police place attempted murder
suspect Nakai "Head" Butler in
Sgt. Patrick Lyons' cruiser Thursday.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

Members of the Bogalusa Police Department, and State Fugitive Task Force arrested 22-year-old Nakai R. Butler of Kentwood in connection with the attempted murder of a 17-year-old Bogalusa man on Thursday, June 2.

Police executed the warrant at 1303 Military Road, a house long-associated with drug traffic and activity.

In addition, two women and one man — identified as 27-year-old Jennifer Smith of Bogalusa, 43-year-old Mable Mingo of Angie and 45-year-old El Demetrist Jennings of Angie — taken into custody and charged with accessory after the fact to attempted second degree murder (harboring Butler) after they admitted to officers they knew he was wanted.

Mable Mingo

The three were also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and officers at the scene said there was a large amount of drugs in the house.

Approximately two weeks ago, the primary resident of the house was arrested on drug-related charges and was still in jail at the time of Thursday's raid.

Mingo

Ryan Seal, who lives three houses down the street, said he knew of two deaths that had occurred in the house in the 12 years he has lived in the neighborhood.

El Demetrist Jennings

"The ironic thing," Seal said, "is that I was in Chief (Joe) Culpepper's office this morning, telling him we had to do something about this house and the drug traffic. Then, I come home for lunch and here they are ... I thought ‘Man, now that's getting with it!"

Jennings

Culpepper said the assistance of the Fugitive Task Force was requested because Butler, whose nickname is “Head,” has relatives in north Washington Parish area.

Jennifer Smith

Butler has been charged with attempted second-degree murder after shooting a 17-year-old during a fight in the Poplas Quarters area of Bogalusa on June 2. The 17-year-old remains in undisclosed condition at LSU-Bogalusa Medical Center.

Smith

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.com)

(This is a reader news tip story)