Three Women Arrested During St. Tammany Drug Investigation

Three women were arrested Tuesday (October 27, 2026) following a nearly month-long investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in St. Tammany Parish. Arrested were 50-year-old Shannon Keplea of Pearl River, 37-year-old Kayla Carver of Pearl River, and 52-year-old Star Willis of Metairie.

***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***

Earlier this month, detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit launched an investigation into two Pearl River residents, Shannon Kepler and Kayla Carver, who were suspected of distributing illegal narcotics throughout the parish. The investigation culminated Tuesday when detectives executed arrest warrants for Kepler and Carver, along with search warrants at two residences: one in the 39000 block of West Porters River Road in Pearl River and another in the 1500 block of Rue Lemans in Slidell.

When detectives arrived at the West Porters River Road residence, they interrupted what was determined to be a drug transaction between Kepler and Star Willis. Detectives recovered methamphetamine associated with the transaction, and both women were taken into custody.

At the Rue Lemans residence, detectives observed Carver drive into the area and attempt to leave after spotting law enforcement. She was quickly apprehended and taken into custody.

During the nearly month-long investigation, STPSO narcotics detectives seized more than 51 grams of methamphetamine, approximately seven grams of marijuana, 11 dosage units of suboxone, seven dosage units of gabapentin, two dosage units of tramadol, two dosage units of alprazolam and one firearm 

Shannon Kepler was arrested and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on the following charges:

• 2 counts L.R.S. 40:967A Distribution of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance (Methamphetamine) 
• 1 count L.R.S. 40:967A Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance (Methamphetamine) 
• 1 count L.R.S. 40:968A Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Schedule III Controlled Dangerous Substance (Suboxone) 
• 2 counts L.R.S. 40:969C Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Dangerous Substance (Tramadol & Alprazolam) 
• 1 count L.R.S. 14:95E Illegal carrying of a Weapon in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance 
• 1 count L.R.S. 40:1060.13 Possession of a Legend Drug without a Prescription (Gabapentin) 
• 1 count L.R.S. 40:1023 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 
• 1 count L.R.S. 14:108 Resisting an Officer  

Kayla Carver was arrested and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on the following charges: 

• 1 count L.R.S. 40:967A Distribution of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance (Methamphetamine) 
• 1 count L.R.S. 40:967A Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance (Methamphetamine) 
• 1 count L.R.S. 40:968A Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Schedule III Controlled Dangerous Substance (Suboxone) 
• 2 counts L.R.S. 40:969C Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Dangerous Substance (Tramadol & Alprazolam) 
• 1 count L.R.S. 14:95E Illegal carrying of a Weapon in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance 
• 1 count L.R.S. 40:1060.13 Possession of a Legend Drug without a Prescription (Gabapentin) 
• 1 count L.R.S. 40:1023 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 

Star Willis was arrested and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on the following charges:

• 1 count L.R.S. 40:967C Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance (Methamphetamine)