Individuals arrested by Picayune Police on drug distribution and trafficking charges

On June 3, 2017, at 4:52 pm, Picayune Police Department officers were dispatched to a quick stop off Hwy 43 North, in reference to a suspicious vehicle. The dispatcher advised it was a tan car, occupied by two males, that had been parked outside for two hours.

Upon arrival the officers’ observed the vehicle and both subjects later identified as Jerome Theriot, 29, of Picayune and Joshua Demster, 33, of Folsom, La., searching through the car in an attempt to locate something. Additionally, officers observed multiple items lying outside the car including clothes, plastic totes and papers.

At this time, one of the officers conducted a pat down on Theriot for safety and felt a sharp object in his left rear pocket. The officer recovered the bottom of an aluminum drink can with burnt residue on it. Theriot was then taken into custody and placed in the rear of patrol car.

Upon speaking to Demster, the officers discovered the individual was unaware of where he was or how he had gotten there. When officers approached the vehicle they discovered syringes on the passenger seat, some had appeared to have been used.

While speaking with Demster, an officer observed fresh track marks on his arms which are consistent with someone who recently injected illegal narcotics. At this time, officers searched the vehicle and discovered a white pill bottle in a box in the rear passenger seat. After opening the bottle, they found 88 ecstasy tablets in multiple small bags. There was also a clear plastic bag containing a brown powdery substance believed to be heroin. At this point Demster was taken into custody.

Both subjects were then transported to the Criminal Justice Center where they were booked and incarcerated for trafficking a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia.