TICKFAW — Two more people were recently arrested in connection to an overdose death of a Tickfaw man, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office reports. The arrests come after officials responded to a call of an unresponsive man at a home in Tickfaw on April 8.
A 29-year-old man died.
Joshua Thompson, 45, has been booked on one count each of second degree murder, distribution of fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and obstruction of justice.
Mary Kate Fitzsimons, 21, was booked on one count each of possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamines, and failure to seek medical assistance.
Officials previously arrested Jordan Kenyatta “Clutch” Spears, 30, and Heather Simms, 33, both from Hammond, in connection to his death.
Following an autopsy that confirmed the victim died as the result of an overdose, the TPSO Narcotics team launched their investigation. They identified Spears as the person who allegedly sold the victim the drugs that killed him.
As the investigation continued, investigators learned that Thompson was allegedly Spears’ supplier. A search of Thompson’s home and vehicle in Tickfaw uncovered several illegal narcotics and evidence of a drug operation, TPSO said. Through further investigation, officials say they were able to confirm there was a connection with this death investigation and arrested Thompson.
In addition, the investigation also revealed that Fitzsimons, the victim’s girlfriend, is accused of failing to seek timely help for him as he was overdosing. As a result, she was arrested in connection with his death as well.
With assistance from Louisiana State Police and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, Spears was arrested on Wednesday, April 23. He was transferred to the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on Friday, April 25.
At the time of his booking, Spears also had two outstanding felony warrants.
Spears was booked on one count each of second-degree murder, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and distribution of a schedule II narcotic.
During a search of his apartment, Heather Simms, Spears’ girlfriend, was also arrested after officials say they found evidence of a drug distribution operation, along with a stolen gun.
Simms was booked on one count each of principle to second-degree murder, conspiracy to distribute heroin, possession of a stolen firearm and obstruction of justice.
“This agency is committed to not only ridding our parish’s streets of deadly drugs, as well as those who spread them through the community, but also holding those drug dealers accountable when the poison they push steals the lives of people struggling with addiction,” said Sheriff Gerald Sticker.
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