Chase leads to arrests for Vermilion Sheriff's Narcotics Unit

On Wednesday, Oct. 29, agents with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics division received information that several subjects were riding around the city of Abbeville while in possession of illicit drugs. Agents with the narcotics division, along with the Sheriff’s Office K-9 division set out to investigate the matter.
Upon locating the suspects, and making an attempt to investigate, the driver of the vehicle sped off in a violent manner, disregarding several traffic laws, and placing the public in danger. At this time agents initiated their emergency lights and sirens, but the driver would not stop. It was noticed that while speeding away, all occupants were holding their doors open, waiting for an opportunity to bail out of the vehicle upon stopping. This opportunity came a short time later as all occupants jumped out of the vehicle in an attempt to flee on foot. Agents gave chase as three suspects were pursued while another got away.
As one agent pursed on foot, he noticed the suspect continually reaching for something in his waistband of his pants. Having already positively identified the suspect as Daniel Paul Simon (Date of birth 7-10-85) of Erath, and knowing Simon has had a violent past in regards to shootings, the agent created a small distance to ascertain what Simon was planning. Simon produced a 10-mm handgun while still fleeing and discarded it under a home.
Upon the agent feeling it was safe at this point to apprehend, he subdued Simon.
As Simon was standing up, suspected crack cocaine and marijuana fell from his pants. Simon was taken into custody and charged with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.
While this apprehension was taking place narcotics agents with the Sheriffs’ Office, along with the Abbeville Police Department patrol division, were able to apprehend two more suspects, both of which were in possession of illicit drugs. Tyler Mitchell (Date of birth 5-3-93) of Abbeville was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, while the third suspect, Jalen Levine (dob 5-11-93) of Abbeville, was arrested and charged with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, and transactions involving drug proceeds.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Division would like to thank the Abbeville Police department for their assistance in this matter.
According to Sheriff Mike Couvillon, the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit also made the following arrests for narcotics related offenses within the parish.
• Tera Mouton (Date of birth 7-28-75) of Kaplan arrested for possession of Marijuana
• Mike Roche (Date of birth 11-18-87) of Abbeville arrested for drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor of marijuana, and possession of Methamphetamine.
• Lance Romero (Date of birth 12-10-75) of Erath arrested for possession of Butalbital.
Sheriff Couvillon would like to applaud the concerned citizens of Vermilion Parish for their awareness and assistance in helping the Sheriff’s Office in fighting the war on illegal drugs. He encourages all citizens with information in regards to illegal drug activities to contact the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office or the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit at 337-740-4501 or E-mail the Task Force anonymously at taskforce@vpso.net and your e-mail will be held in the “strictest of confidence” and replied to in a very timely manner.
More information on reporting drug activities can be seen on our Web Site at www.vpso.net. Click on Task Force for this information.