Picayune Police Make Drug Arrests

On July 11th at around 7:20pm, narcotic detectives of the Picayune Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet truck traveling with no windshield on southbound Interstate 59 near Exit 4.

When the detectives approached the truck, they requested license and insurance information from the driver, Richard Shane Tate, Jr., age 35, of 23090 Road 262-A, Picayune, and his passengers Michelle Elizabeth Burks, age 22, of 216 West Sycamore Road, Picayune, and Richard Blake Johnston, age 34, of Eros, Louisiana. Detectives asked dispatch to run a check on Tate’s license and learn it had been suspended, and Tate did not have valid insurance either. Tate was placed under arrest for Driving While License Suspended, No Insurance, and Improper Equipment for not having a windshield on his truck.

Johnston and Burks exited the truck and a search was performed on Johnston. Detectives found a large, clear plastic bag containing a crystal like substance believed to be Crystal Methamphetamine on Johnston. A search of the truck by the detectives revealed several syringes, metal spoons containing a burnt residue, and a torch lighter on the front seat of the truck in plain view. These items of paraphernalia are commonly used to produce a liquid form of methamphetamine in order to inject into the body.

Through further investigation, the detectives learned that the crystal substance believed to be Crystal Methamphetamine was being transported for sale to an unknown person.

Tate and Burks were arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Sell a Controlled Substance and Possession of Paraphernalia. Johnston was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Paraphernalia.