Drugs, Firearms, Cash Seized in Tangipahoa and St. Tammany Operation

On March 21, 2024, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office closed an extensive ongoing investigation into suspected illegal drug activity that began as the result of multiple complaints of alleged drug activity taking place on the east side of Ponchatoula, just outside the city limits. As a result, the operation led to multiple arrests and the seizure of a large quantity of illegal narcotics, firearms, and cash – in two parishes.

TPSO detectives learned their primary person of interest, 49-year-old Byron "Spook" Seymore, had ties to and residences in Ponchatoula and the Mandeville area, a discovery that broadened the scope of the investigation.

On March 21, 2024, in collaboration with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office and the Department of Homeland Security, narcotics related search warrants were obtained and simultaneously executed at residences in both parishes.

The search of Seymore's Ponchatoula residence yielded a significant number of illicit substances, including: 

• 275 individual bags of heroin weighing approximately 10 ounces.
• 45 individual bags of suspected Fentanyl weighing around 1.25 ounces.
• 5 individual bags of suspected Crack Cocaine, totaling approximately 2.5 ounces.
• 13 individual bags of suspected Cocaine, with a combined weight of roughly 1.5 ounces.
• Three individual bags of suspected methamphetamine, amounting to approximately 2 grams.
• One bag containing numerous suspected MDMA pills, weighing approximately 1.75 ounces, along with another package containing 11 individual pills (presumed to be MDMA).
• 15 individual bags of suspected Marijuana weighing approximately 9 ounces.
• A loaded 5.7 caliber semiautomatic pistol.

Detectives also made the startling discovery of several precursor items typically used for the manufacturing of heroin/fentanyl. These items included materials used to enhance the potency and quantity of the drugs, mixing containers with traces of controlled substances, electric blenders, packing materials for distribution, and digital weighing scales.

The search of Seymore's St. Tammany Parish residence near Mandeville produced four unlawfully possessed semiautomatic firearms and more than $38,000 in cash believed to be proceeds from illegal drug sales.

Detectives also discovered that Seymore was under the supervision of the Federal Bureau of Prison Probation and Parole for drug-related charges until 2029.

"This was a thorough and well-planned operation involving federal and local law enforcement agencies," Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Edwards said. "Strong partnerships as such are imperative to successful outcomes like this. Job well done."

"Criminals don't know jurisdictional boundaries," St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith said, "which is why it is important for law enforcement agencies to work together to keep illegal drugs and firearms out of neighborhoods. We have an excellent working relationship with both Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office and our federal partners with Homeland Security."

Charged in Tangipahoa Parish as a result of the investigation are:

1. Byron Seymore (BM, 11-22-1974) - Charged with three counts of Possession with the intent to distribute CDS I, four counts of Possession with the intent to distribute CDS II, Manufacturing of CDS I, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of a controlled dangerous substance while in Possession of a firearm, and Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
2. Dourphas Beale (BM, 8-14-1986) - Charged with three counts of Possession with the intent to distribute CDS I, four counts of Possession with the intent to distribute CDS II, Manufacturing of CDS I, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of a controlled dangerous substance while in Possession of a firearm, Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and obstruction of justice.
3. Chatisha Tillis (BF, 10-06-2002) was found to have outstanding warrants and failed to appear for court charges for Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles, Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled, Violation of Protective Orders, Simple Battery, and Criminal Damage to Property under $1,000.

Criminal charges for Seymour are pending in St. Tammany Parish.

***Defendants are assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law***