Convicted felon arrested after trespassing complaint

The Picayune Police Department was dispatched to the Picayune Housing Authority at 619 Lewis Street on Wednesday, July 18th at 1:56pm, in reference to a call from the Housing Authority stating that a man believed to be a felon was trespassing on the property, according to Picayune Police Department Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri.

Magri stated that when the officers arrived, they spoke with the public housing officer and then made contact with the suspected trespasser, identified as Michael Eric Richardson, age 34, who listed his address as the current address of the call. While speaking with Richardson, it was learned through investigation, that Richardson had a pipe commonly used to smoke meth on his person and he turned the pipe over to the officers. Through further investigation, it was learned that Richardson had more narcotics inside the residence.

According to Magri, during a search of the bedroom by the officers, they located a cigarette pack that contained six hydrocodone pills, a bag of a white powdery substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine, and a burnt, hand-rolled cigarette containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana in the bottom drawer of a dresser.

The officers obtained a consent to search from Richardson on a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer. While searching the vehicle, the officers found a black and brown bag containing a Smith & Wesson 38 Special pistol along with identifying papers belonging to Richardson that linked him to the gun.

The officers also found two digital scales and a bottle containing a clear liquid believed to be codeine. In the glove box, the officers located a Taurus 9mm pistol. A check with the National Crime Investigation Center (NCIC) revealed that Richardson was indeed a convicted felon.

Richardson was taken into custody, charged with two counts of Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon (felony), two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance (felony), two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance (misdemeanor), and three counts of Possession of Paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

Richardson was transported to the Criminal Justice Center, booked, and incarcerated.