New Sarpy couple charged with manufacturing and selling drugs that may have contributed to death

By BEN LUNDIN

Staff Reporter

NEW SARPY – In a bizarre case involving a Kenner resident’s deadly drug overdose, the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office busted a New Sarpy couple on Sunday for manufacturing and selling a variety drugs that may have ultimately led to the man’s untimely death.

Danny Simpson, 24, of 117 Holy Cross Pl. in Kenner, reportedly died in his sleep on Sunday from ingesting drugs possibly supplied to him by Christine Rolling, 44, and Bryan Blackwell, 43, of 303 Third St. in New Sarpy, while staying at a friend’s house in 62D Carriage Ln. in Destrehen.

While investigating Simpson’s death on Sunday a deputy allegedly uncovered evidence suggestive of possible drug use and connected the evidence to Rolling and Blackwell, whom were at the home during the investigation.

By working in conjunction with the St. Charles narcotics division, officer’s obtained a search warrant signed by Judge Kirk Granier and approached Rolling and Blackwell’s home at 303 Third St. in New Sarpy on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

Agents found three grams of crack cocaine, seven doses of methamphetamine, 3.5 grams of marijuana and paraphernalia used to cook and smoke methamphetamine and crack in the home, along with a 5-year-old boy whom was released to a nearby relative, according to Sgt. LaGrange, a spokesman for the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office.

During questioning Rolling and Blackwell admitted to bringing drugs to the 62D Carriage Ln. and said they may have given Simpson the drugs that led to his death, LaGrange said.

Officers booked the couple with manufacturing crack cocaine, possession of amphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance while in the presence of juvenile and charged Blackwell with an additional charge of possession of marijuana.

The St. Charles Sheriff’s Office refused to comment on whether the couple could be charged in connection with Simpson’s death, citing a pending investigation.

Rolling and Blackwell are being held at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center with a $100,000 bond and $200,000 bond, respectively.