By Pat Culverhouse

A pair of Springhill residents apparently made themselves at home in a local church, and now both are experiencing the inside of parish lockups.

Chief of Police Will Lynd said officers were dispatched to a church in the 1200 block of 3rd. St. to investigate a reported break-in.

Inside, officers reportedly found 38-year-old Michael Brandon Gardner and 32-year-old Lacy Brianna Carter. Officers reportedly also found the pair in possession of a pipe, commonly used to smoke drugs, containing drug residue.

Both individuals reportedly admitted to officers they had been smoking methamphetamine while staying in the church.

During questioning, Gardner reportedly told officers the pair had been in the building about two weeks and that he had been using church items to cook meals. Carter reportedly told officers she had stayed at the church, but only for two nights. 

During their investigation, officers reportedly found evidence that illegal entry had been gained by damaging a door on the side of the building.

Both Gardner and Carter are charged with simple burglary of a religious building, possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Gardner is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. Bond has not been set. Carter, who is being held in the parish jail, is looking at an $18,501 bond.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.