LAPLACE — A local man is facing three years probation and supervised mental health care as part of a plea deal reached this month with prosecutors that included dropping a battery of a police officer charge.

Ronnie Gregoire Jr., 24, of Reserve pleaded guilty to unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling June 5 and was sentenced to three years in jail suspended, three years active probation and various court costs and fines totaling $865.

According to the St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court, charges of theft, resisting an officer, criminal mischief, tampering with a surveillance system and battery of a correctional employee were dropped.

St. John Parish District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut said the cases were worked in totality, adding the plea agreement focused on mental health treatment.

“Mental health issues and substance abuse issues run rampant throughout the criminal justice system; it is always something we have to deal with and consider as we prosecute cases,” Dinvaut said. “There were numerous concerns (with Gregoire) regarding mental issues and competency. The three years were suspended and he was placed on active probation with a special condition that he be assessed at River Parishes Mental Health Facility.

“As a special condition on his probation, he has agreed to undergo treatment and any procedures recommended by his mental health caretakers.”

Gregoire was arrested in April 2016 after police said he attempted to avoid arrest after being linked to LaPlace theft and breaking and entering cases.

St. John deputies responded to the 1700 block of Ridgefield Drive after a complainant witnessed a male walking in and out of yards and removing a package from a doorstep.

When the complainant confronted the subject, he returned the package to the doorstep then fled. When responding deputies arrived in the area, they saw Gregoire fleeing and detained him for further investigation.