St. Martinville, LA-Sheriff Becket Breaux announces that on September 19, 2020, at approximately 1:29 a.m., Deputies with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a silver Nissan Altima, traveling east bound near mile post 122 on I-10, due to improper lane usage. Upon initial investigation, the driver and passenger of the vehicle were identified as Michael Levi, 64, Bremen, Alabama, and Richard Gilmore, Jr., 62, Jasper, Alabama.

Following probable cause to search the vehicle, Deputies located three large bales of suspected marijuana in the trunk. At the culmination of the investigation, Deputies arrested Levi and Gilmore and charged them as follows:

Michael Levi:

LA. R.S. 32:79–Improper Lane Usage-1 count
LA. R.S. 14:26–Criminal Conspiracy -1 Count
LA. R.S. 40:966A1-Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule 1-1 count (69 lbs.)

Richard Gilmore, Jr.:

LA. R.S. 40:966A1 Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule I-1-Count (69 lbs.)
LA. R.S 14:26 Criminal Conspiracy-1 count

Following their arrests, they were booked into the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center on the above charges.
At the time of this release, no bond had been set. The street value of the suspected marijuana is approximately $500,000.00.

Sheriff Becket Breaux is continuing the fight to keep the streets of St. Martin Parish free of illegal drug activity. If you suspect illegal drug activity in your neighborhood, please report it via the St. Martin Parish Narcotics Tip Line 337-394-2626.