Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A search warrant for an individual wanted by Monroe Police (MPD) developed into an altercation where three people were arrested. According to police, on January 20, 2024, MPD officers arrived at an apartment on Louberta St. to conduct arrests and search warrants. When officers knocked on the door, they made contact with a female identified as Myshella J. Smith. While at the front door of the residence, police indicated that they observed 18-year-old Chade S. Johnson standing in the hallway. Officers told Smith that they had search and arrest warrants as they were looking for Smith's alleged boyfriend, identified as Darren Pittman. Smith allegedly angrily told officers that Pittman was not at the residence. She also reportedly tried to prevent officers from entering the home. Officers then ordered Johnson to exit the residence. He came as far as the front door and allegedly got into a verbal altercation with officers while questioning the validity of the search warrant. While at the front door, officers attempted to grab Johnson by the wrist, and Johnson allegedly pulled away from officers. It was reported that Johnson then allegedly hit one of the officers near the temple on the head. A physical altercation ensued between Johnson and officers that continued before he was subdued. Officers searched the residence and found Pittman inside a dryer, allegedly hiding from them. The three individuals were arrested on various charges. Smith was charged with Obstruction of Court Orders. Johnson was charged with two counts of Battery on a Police Officer, Resisting an Officer, and Obstruction of Court Orders. Pittman was charged with Resisting an Officer. There are three sides to every story. This was one side of this story. The Monroe Dispatch welcomes another or the other side of this story.