Suspect arrested for 2nd time in less than 30 days

For the second time in less than 30 days, Picayune Police have arrested a Picayune woman in almost the same scenario; she was passed out in a car and in possession of a large amount of illegal drugs according to Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri.

In the latest incident that occurred last Thursday, January 4th at 2:45pm, a Picayune Police detective was dispatched to an apartment complex on Cooper Road in reference to a female that was passed out while sitting behind the steering wheel of a blue Nissan Altima.

Upon arrival, the detective observed the vehicle pulling out of the apartment complex onto Cooper Road. While attempting to catch up to the vehicle, the detective observed the vehicle veer over the centerline of the road numerous times causing oncoming traffic to swerve to avoid being hit by the Nissan Altima according to Magri .

The detective was able to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle at Cooper Road and Wildwood Drive. When the detective approached the vehicle, the driver identified herself as Lori Morgan, age 54, of 6 Charlie Kellar Road, Picayune. Morgan told the detective that she did not have her driver’s license on her. The detective requested a driver license check and was notified by dispatch that Morgan’s license was expired.

While speaking with Morgan, the detective noticed that she was obviously impaired and had slurred speech and lethargic movements. The detective had Morgan exit the vehicle and at that time a patrol officer also arrived at the scene. A consent to search was obtained from Morgan. The detective found a cigarette pack in the console which contained two plastic baggies. One of the baggies contained a brown powdery substance believed to be heroin and the other baggie contained a clear glass-like substance that appeared to be crystal meth.

During a further search of the vehicle by the detective and officer, they located a plastic baggie in the center console cup holder that contained a brown powdery substance believed to be heroin, a red container that contained two foil wrappers that contained a brown powdery substance believed to be heroin, and 1 and ½ blue pills between the passenger seat and center console that were later identified as Roxycodone.

While searching Morgan’s purse, they located an unmarked pill bottle containing 54 pills later identified as Xanax, and 21 green pills later identified as Clorazepam. They also located a blue pouch containing syringes, some of which were loaded with a liquid, and they also found another cigarette pack that contained a glass pipe. They found two metal pipes on the driver’s seat floorboard and a cutoff straw on the rear seat, both commonly used to inhale a controlled substance.

Magri said Morgan was taken into custody for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance, 3 Counts of Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Paraphernalia, Careless Driving, and Expired Driver’s License. She was taken to the Criminal Justice Center, booked on the charges, and incarcerated.

This is the second time Morgan has been arrested on similar charges in the past 30 days (link to December 14th story on Lori Morgan arrest).