Three Arrested / Drugs and 6 Guns Seized Following Joint Investigation Between STPSO, Hancock County SO

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division conducted a joint investigation with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office which culminated Friday (June 16, 2023) with the arrests of three people, the execution of two residential search warrants and the seizure of a large cache of drugs and firearms.

In total, STPSO detectives seized approximately one quarter pound of methamphetamine, nearly a half-pound of marijuana, Adderall, Sildenafil Citrate tablets, 7.5 doses of LSD, assorted drug paraphernalia associated with the use and distribution of illegal drugs and six firearms, one of which was reported stolen out of Zachary. 

Arrested were 

• 58 year-old James E Daspit of Slidell on the charges of  Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana, Illegal Carrying of Weapons, Possession of Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Felonies, Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
• 52 year-old Jay Scott Scroggins of Pearl River on the charges of Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Amphetamine, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession with the Intent to Distribute LSD, Illegal Carrying of Weapons, Possession of Legend Drug Without a Prescription, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• 55 year-old Michael J. Fitzgerald of Pearl River on the charge of Resisting an Officer after he attempted to flee while detectives were executing one of the search warrants.

“Crime knows no boundaries and neither does good police work,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “We will continue to work with our partners in surrounding jurisdictions to identify and arrests those individuals responsible for bringing illegal drugs into St. Tammany Parish. I want to personally thank the members of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this case.”