The Picayune Item

Homepage

Related Photos

  • DEA and MBN agents along with officers with the Picayune Police Department conducted an investigative operation into alleged illegal activity at this doctor’s office on East Canal Street. The photo at top, taken by a Picayune police officer, shows a note posted inside the business at the reception window. Jeremy Pittari

    DRUG BUST
February 16, 2013

Suspected pill mill closed

By Jeremy Pittari, Item Staff Writer The Picayune Item

PICAYUNE — A doctor’s office on East Canal Street has been closed by the Drug Enforcement Agency and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics for allegedly operating illegally.

Tactical Diversion Squad Public Information Officer Terry Davis said the result of Tuesday’s operation led to the doctor of the establishment, 73-year-old Dr. William F. Yost of Slidell, La., surrendering his medical license. Davis said an investigation is continuing into any criminal charges that may or may not be filed against the doctor.

“Pharmaceutical drugs are the new crack cocaine of our time. The collaborative law enforcement efforts of the DEA Tactical Diversion Squads of Jackson and New Orleans, Picayune Police Department, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure, and the Slidell Police Department have sent an undeniable message to those who wish to operate and participate in the illegal possession and distribution of pharmaceutical drugs in the greater Picayune area: your illegal activities are no longer welcomed here. The men and women of DEA remain steadfast to the citizens of Picayune and in our commitment to this endeavor,” said Drug Enforcement Administration New Orleans Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Joseph W. Shepherd in an e-mail statement.

During that operation, Jeremy Magri, Picayune Police Assistant to the Chief of Police, said local officers and investigators assisted the state and federal agencies with manpower and were able to conduct a few arrests.

While at the business, located at 2202 East Canal St., Magri said a number of patients at the business were found to be in violation of the law.

One instance occurred when officers observed a man, 41-year-old Keith Ledoux of 14095 Konhke Hill Rd., Hammond, La., sleeping in a vehicle. Magri said officers asked the man to get out of his vehicle so they could speak with him and as he did so, Ledoux appeared nervous and impaired, prompting a search of his vehicle. Magri said inside the vehicle officers found prescription medication for which the man had no prescription and a bag of cocaine. Ledoux was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and two counts of misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, Magri said.

Later, a vehicle driven by 38-year-old Douglas Leroy Culpepper of 1104 Blackwell Lane pulled up to the business, with a passenger identified as 38-year-old Suzanna Lee also of 1104 Blackwell Lane. Culpepper was found to be without a driver’s license and was charged with the misdemeanor crime, but Lee had Oxycodone pills on her without a prescription, leading her to be charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, Magri said.

Another vehicle pulled up to the business during the operation where officers came into contact with the driver, 47-year-old Steven Jones of 20203 Pineville Rd., Long Beach, and his passenger, 35-year-old Celina Necaise of 17245 Rd., 504 Kiln. Interviews with and investigation of the two found that Necaise had given Jones some Hydrocodone pills, found during a search of Jones’ person, in exchange for a ride to the doctor’s office. Jones was charged with possession of a controlled substance while Necaise was charged with transfer a controlled substance. A search of her person found more prescription pills in her possession, leading to an additional charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Chief Bryan Dawsey said his department has been working with the DEA and MBN since the business opened, and with this bust he is confident the flow of narcotic prescription medication will slow throughout Picayune.

“I would like to thank the officers with the DEA and MBN,” Dawsey said.

Magri said the announcement of Pearl River County having a total of 19 overdose deaths last year due to the abuse of prescription drugs, as well as other drugs, shows law enforcement closing the business will help save lives.

“We want to do our part to prevent that from occurring,” Magri said.

Text Only
Local News
  • Wildcats tring to win Region 23 title

     Host Pearl River opened Region 23 Tournament play in dominating fashion here Thursday in Wildcat Stadium, demolishing top-seeded East Central 12-1 in eight innings and now faces  second-seeded LSU-Eunice (La.) in Friday’s second round at 7 p.m.

    May 18, 2013

  • ARMED FORCES DAY Veterans honored for Armed Forces Day

    In observance of United States Armed Forces Day, Picayune Memorial High School hosted the annual Jerry “Chip” Burge Jr. Memorial Armed Forces Reception on Friday.

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Katrina taught Poplarville valuable lessons

    The Pop-larville area learned valuable lessons in disaster readiness from hurricane Katrina in 2005, and those lessons led to improvements which provide a greater measure of security for local residents.

    May 18, 2013

  • Help senior citizens in your family or neighborhood with advance planning

    According to the United States Census Bureau, 15.1 percent of the population in Pearl River County is 65 years old or older.

    May 18, 2013

  • Tchnology can speed emergency response

    Recent national tragedies have reminded us once again how important it is to stay in touch with loved ones and emergency response officials for breaking news. Being technology-ready before disaster strikes is critical to saving lives, connecting friends and family, and assisting first responders.
    I

    May 18, 2013

Sports
Lifestyles
State News
International
Opinion
News Distribution Network
irs-logo.jpg

CNHI Special Projects
MONSON

A June 2011 tornado killed three people, injured 200 and damaged 1,400 buildings along a 39-mile path through Massachusetts. The recovery in the tiny town of Monson, Mass., inspired sisters Caitria and Morgan O'Neill to launch a website, Recovers.org, that hopes to streamline the process by connecting the needs of disaster victims directly with volunteers and potential donors.

Photos


PRC vs Picayune game

Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
House Ads
Seasonal Content
AP Video
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools $1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel? Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Facebook
Facebook
Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter