Donaldsonville man arrested on drug charges

On Friday, May 22, the Sheriff’s office’s narcotics division was conducting patrols in Donaldsonville in search of illegal drug activity. During patrols, detectives observed Richard Gauthier hanging out on the street corner of Front Street and Nolan Street.

The detectives had previous knowledge that Gauthier held an active bench warrant and an arrest warrant for resisting an officer in an unrelated case. As detectives approached Gauthier he ran into a nearby home that was unoccupied at the time, according to Sheriff Jeff Wiley.

Detectives searched the home and located Gauthier at which time he was arrested on the bench warrant and outstanding arrest warrant. After searching the home further, detectives located nearly $2,000 worth of hydrocodone pills, a quantity of cocaine, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and scales, Sheriff Wiley said.

Gauthier, 20, of 505 Orange Street, Donaldsonville was arrested and charged with two counts of resisting an officer, criminal trespassing, two counts of possession with intent to distribute a schedule II CDS, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and synthetic marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on Friday, May 22 where his bond was set by Judge LeBlanc in the amount of $66,228, and is still incarcerated at this time.

Gauthier has been arrested in the past on charges stemming from first-degree murder, possession of marijuana, operating a vehicle while license suspended, and an array of misdemeanor charges.

This case remains under investigation and more charges may be forthcoming.