Police bust ‘Mama’ once again
Traffic stop turns into drug bust

BY MARCELLE HANEMANN
The Daily News
Published/Last Modified on Friday, November 20, 2009 1:11 PM CST


A Pine woman known as “Mama” was arrested by the Bogalusa Police Street Crimes Unit Monday just six months after being the focus of a multi-agency operation touted as one of the biggest prescription drug busts of the year.

This time, it wasn’t a matter of a search warrant and a home visit, it was a traffic violation that drew the attention of authorities to Virginia “Mama” Atchley, 58, 56307 Henry Miley Road. She wasn’t even driving.

According to BPD Capt. Joe Culpepper, her arrest started with  a traffic stop and the subsequent arrest of the driver.

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Talmadge J. Smith, 48, 639 Michigan Avenue, was charged with not having a license plate, failure to secure registration, having a suspended drivers license, possession of drug paraphernalia and being a fugitive from Jackson County, Miss. Culpepper said he did not know the Mississippi charge.

Atchley was a passenger in Smith’s vehicle at the time of the stop.

“The investigation continued, and the passenger was found to be in possession of a large amount of Oxycodone,” said Culpepper.

He estimated that she had approximately 67 tablets of the prescription pain killer.

Atchley was arrested and charged with possession of Schedule II drugs with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Officers seized the vehicle as well as cash involved in the incident, said Culpepper.

Atchley was arrested in May on 29 charges, most involving prescription drugs. At the time, more than $16,700 in cash, plus 43 guns were reportedly confiscated from her home, which Sheriff Robert Crowe described as a “pawn shop”  for drug customers.

That operation also involved the seizure of a vehicle. Atchley’s grandson, one of two others also arrested, on fewer charges, lost his pickup truck, which deputies said was used in a drug deal.

Culpepper said Atchley apparently did not learn from the May arrest.

“She was basically given warning that the police were on to her, and she didn’t take it seriously,” he said. “Maybe now she will.”

 

Copyright © 2010 Daily News

Comments

    Reader Comments

    The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of downtownnews.com.

    RB wrote on Nov 20, 2009 2:08 PM:

    " This gives a whole new meaning to MADEA goes to jail. LOL "

    Drug-free wrote on Nov 20, 2009 8:57 PM:

    " Thanks for getting these scum off the street. "

    Roger wrote on Nov 21, 2009 3:31 AM:

    " Good work guys... I just hope the courts will do the right thing. "

    DISGUSTED wrote on Nov 21, 2009 4:09 AM:

    " I read the Franklinton Street gang and the Pine "mama" are back at doing what they do. Seems the law enforcement officers can do their jobs, but the D.A. and judges can't seem to do theirs. I guess it's more money for the lawyers if this trash is left on the streets. Makes me think I'm in Orleans Parish. Can't the judge set the bails so high this trash can't get out of jail until they go to trial and then to prison? Is something wrong with this picture???? "

    me wrote on Nov 21, 2009 9:51 AM:

    " Why was she back on the street anyway? She was arrested in May on 27 counts and was probably back out selling dope two days later. "

    Old School wrote on Nov 21, 2009 2:13 PM:

    " She's just trying for that 3 strike thing. As far as the gangs give them some shooting lessons so they can hit each other. "

    300 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 8:41 PM:

    " Ask the judge that set her bond why she is back on the street. Wonder how many kids have overdosed on her pills. I bet if a DA or judges kid overdosed. She would still be in jail. The DA/Judges don't care until someone in their family becomes a victim. "

    RB wrote on Nov 22, 2009 4:39 PM:

    " She was raising money t0 pay her attorney fees. :-)

    She knows no other way! "

    Babalu wrote on Nov 23, 2009 10:58 AM:

    " I want to know who the doctor is who is prescribing these meds that are obviously not being used by people who are suffering. I go to a pain doctor and can't get this type of medication. And you are drug tested on each visit. Something isn't right. The DEA needs to investigate where these criminals get access to these drugs. "

    RB wrote on Nov 23, 2009 2:07 PM:

    " Babalu, good point. "

    Edmond Chandler wrote on Nov 24, 2009 9:25 AM:

    " "Culpepper said Atchley apparently did not learn from the May arrest.

    “She was basically given warning that the police were on to her, and she didn’t take it seriously,” he said. “Maybe now she will.”

    WHY are "scum bags" like this on our streets? WHY are they not in JAIL, where they belong?

    Thank you, Officer Culpepper "

    50 wrote on Nov 24, 2009 10:35 AM:

    " The warden in the jail has standing orders.The parish jail is a swinging door.Drug dealers will be pushed back out on the streets a.s.a.p.Only major crimes against a person or parole violators will stay more than a few days.Only the warden and judges let people out of jail, not the police. "

    RB wrote on Nov 24, 2009 12:01 PM:

    " Mr. Chandler,
    The only reason is that their loyal customers, partners, or corrupt friends in high places ensure they make bail in order to keep the supply and demand balanced. "

    me wrote on Nov 26, 2009 9:16 AM:

    " In response to Babalu, these people doctor shop. They go to pain management clinics several times a month, pay cash for the visit, fill the prescriptions at different pharmacies and pay cashfor the meds. They also pay for others to go to the same pain management clinics. As long as they pay cash and not use any insurance, they fly under the radar. Those clinics are about making money and the doctors don't care about the addicts they are creating. And while there are some who actually need pain meds, the majority of folks around here do not. If we could see the statistic, I would bet my house that an unuaually high number of bogalusa citizens go to those clinics and are on disability. Yet another reason why I am leaving this town as soon as possible. "

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Thank you for your comments!

Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of downtownnews.com.

RB wrote on Nov 20, 2009 2:08 PM:

" This gives a whole new meaning to MADEA goes to jail. LOL "

Drug-free wrote on Nov 20, 2009 8:57 PM:

" Thanks for getting these scum off the street. "

Roger wrote on Nov 21, 2009 3:31 AM:

" Good work guys... I just hope the courts will do the right thing. "

DISGUSTED wrote on Nov 21, 2009 4:09 AM:

" I read the Franklinton Street gang and the Pine "mama" are back at doing what they do. Seems the law enforcement officers can do their jobs, but the D.A. and judges can't seem to do theirs. I guess it's more money for the lawyers if this trash is left on the streets. Makes me think I'm in Orleans Parish. Can't the judge set the bails so high this trash can't get out of jail until they go to trial and then to prison? Is something wrong with this picture???? "

me wrote on Nov 21, 2009 9:51 AM:

" Why was she back on the street anyway? She was arrested in May on 27 counts and was probably back out selling dope two days later. "

Old School wrote on Nov 21, 2009 2:13 PM:

" She's just trying for that 3 strike thing. As far as the gangs give them some shooting lessons so they can hit each other. "

300 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 8:41 PM:

" Ask the judge that set her bond why she is back on the street. Wonder how many kids have overdosed on her pills. I bet if a DA or judges kid overdosed. She would still be in jail. The DA/Judges don't care until someone in their family becomes a victim. "

RB wrote on Nov 22, 2009 4:39 PM:

" She was raising money t0 pay her attorney fees. :-)

She knows no other way! "

Babalu wrote on Nov 23, 2009 10:58 AM:

" I want to know who the doctor is who is prescribing these meds that are obviously not being used by people who are suffering. I go to a pain doctor and can't get this type of medication. And you are drug tested on each visit. Something isn't right. The DEA needs to investigate where these criminals get access to these drugs. "

RB wrote on Nov 23, 2009 2:07 PM:

" Babalu, good point. "

Edmond Chandler wrote on Nov 24, 2009 9:25 AM:

" "Culpepper said Atchley apparently did not learn from the May arrest.

“She was basically given warning that the police were on to her, and she didn’t take it seriously,” he said. “Maybe now she will.”

WHY are "scum bags" like this on our streets? WHY are they not in JAIL, where they belong?

Thank you, Officer Culpepper "

50 wrote on Nov 24, 2009 10:35 AM:

" The warden in the jail has standing orders.The parish jail is a swinging door.Drug dealers will be pushed back out on the streets a.s.a.p.Only major crimes against a person or parole violators will stay more than a few days.Only the warden and judges let people out of jail, not the police. "

RB wrote on Nov 24, 2009 12:01 PM:

" Mr. Chandler,
The only reason is that their loyal customers, partners, or corrupt friends in high places ensure they make bail in order to keep the supply and demand balanced. "

me wrote on Nov 26, 2009 9:16 AM:

" In response to Babalu, these people doctor shop. They go to pain management clinics several times a month, pay cash for the visit, fill the prescriptions at different pharmacies and pay cashfor the meds. They also pay for others to go to the same pain management clinics. As long as they pay cash and not use any insurance, they fly under the radar. Those clinics are about making money and the doctors don't care about the addicts they are creating. And while there are some who actually need pain meds, the majority of folks around here do not. If we could see the statistic, I would bet my house that an unuaually high number of bogalusa citizens go to those clinics and are on disability. Yet another reason why I am leaving this town as soon as possible. "

Submit a Comment

We encourage your feedback and dialogue. All comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
(optional)
   

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