UPDATE: Mimi Washington has been found safe.
ORIGINAL POST:
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old Mimi Washington of Bayou Blue. She was last seen at around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2024.
Mimi Washington is described as 5’2” tall, weighing approximately 110 pounds with black hair. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a second man has been arrested for an armed robbery that occurred in Cut Off in April 2023. Hosea Williams Jr., 25, of Galliano was arrested on Tuesday. Eddie Coleman Jr., 25, of Golden Meadow was arrested in May 2023 for the crime.
The crime occurred at a bank on West Main Street in Cut Off on April 29, 2023. Two individuals were walking away from the ATM machine at the bank when a small car pulled up. Two masked men reportedly pointed guns at the two individuals and stole hundreds of dollars in cash
Through investigation, detectives identified Coleman and Williams as suspects. Detectives located and arrested Coleman on May 5, 2023. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex and charged with armed robbery with use of a firearm. He remains at the complex with bail currently set at $500,000.
Then, on the morning of Tuesday, January 9, 2024, patrol deputies responded to an animal complaint on East 75th Street in Cut Off involving two dogs. Deputies identified Williams as the owner and made contact with him. He initially attempted to run but was quickly taken into custody. Investigators obtained a search warrant for his vehicle and residence. During the search, investigators found several firearms, suspected cocaine and marijuana, a ski mask, and cell phones. These items were seized in order to be processed for evidence in this armed robbery and other potential crimes.
Williams was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on the warrant for armed robbery with the use of a firearm. Bail is set at $1 million. Additional charges are pending, and the investigation is continuing.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for damaging a bulldozer in Thibodaux.
On November 1, 2023, detectives with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office began investigating a case of a John Deere bulldozer that was damaged. It was parked on private property in a sugar cane field located just off Abby Road in Thibodaux between Forty Arpent Road and the subdivisions of The Meadows and Sugar Ridge. The windows of the bulldozer were cracked and one of the doors was completely shattered with a cement block. Detectives determined that the bulldozer was damaged at some point between October 30 and October 31, 2023.
A second incident occurred at some point between December 29, 2023, and January 1, 2024. In this incident, the cracked windows from the first incident were completely shattered.
Investigators are seeking the public’s help to solve this crime. Anyone with information on either of these incidents is asked to submit a tip anonymously through Bayou Region Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or through the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.
Damaged Bulldozer
Shattered DoorLafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a man has died of a suspected overdose after deputies responded to a disturbance in which he was involved. The incident is currently under investigation.
At around 7:45 a.m. on December 21, 2023, deputies responded to a residence in the 4100 block of LA Highway 1 in reference to a man showing signs of possible impairment from narcotics who was damaging the resident’s vehicle. When deputies arrived, the man began running but was quickly apprehended by deputies. As the deputies were taking him into custody, the man became unresponsive. Suspecting a possible drug overdose, deputies administered Narcan. The man briefly responded but again lost consciousness. He was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Per Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office policy, because the man was in custody, Sheriff Webre has requested Louisiana State Police to investigate.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is joining other local law enforcement agencies in participating in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign which will take place December 15, 2023 runs through January 1, 2024. The campaign is coordinated and funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
During the campaign, deputies will conduct an occupant protection checkpoint on the evening of Tuesday, December 19, 2023. During this checkpoint, deputies will be checking motorists for seat belt and safety seat violations, as well as for proper inspection tags and other potential violations such as impaired driving. These checkpoints are designed to help raise awareness for these types of violations and make the highways of the parish safer for all motorists.
Throughout the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, additional deputies will be assigned to saturated patrol efforts to target impaired drivers and help keep motorists safe.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 37 people in the United States die each day in drunk-driving crashes. That’s one person every 39 minutes. In 2021, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from 2020. These deaths were all preventable.
Sheriff Craig Webre reminds citizens to have a plan to get home safely before deciding to drink. Never drive if you have had anything to drink containing alcohol. Remember that driving under the influence of illegal narcotics can also lead to a DWI arrest. In fact, some legal medications can impair your ability to drive. Always read warning labels and instructions on prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Sheriff Webre also thanks citizens for their cooperation and patience when passing through these checkpoints and for recognizing the importance of raising awareness for safety issues.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 15-year-old Kennedy Semien of Thibodaux. She was last seen getting into a dark-colored Chevrolet Tahoe at Thibodaux High School shortly after 11 a.m. on December 6, 2023.
Semien is described as 5’3” tall, weighing approximately 120 pounds with black hair. She was last seen wearing her school uniform (white shirt and khaki pants) with a red jacket. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.
Kennedy Semien
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a FREE Hunter Education Field Day on Thursday, December 21, 2023. The Field Day will occur from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the LPSO Shooting Range at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. The Field Day is recommended for those ages 14 or older, and participants must have completed the home study course.
As an alternative to the traditional two-day classroom course, the Home Study Course is available online through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website. Those who complete the home study course MUST take their completion voucher to a “Field Day” to complete their hunter education. Entry to the Field Day will be denied unless the completed forms are presented. There will be a written test required to complete the Field Day. Class size is limited. Advance registration is required. CLICK HERE to register for the Field Day.
Firearms and ammunition should NOT be brought to this course, but snacks are permitted. For more information, or for assistance with online registration, call the LPSO Training Academy at (985) 449-4481 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email Captain Kevin Johnson at kevin-johnson@lpso.net.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a total of three men have now been charged in the investigation into a boat stolen from a Gheens residence in November 2023. Harly Walker, Jr., 44, of Raceland was previously arrested in the case and was arrested again on new charges. Chaz Rodrigue, 35, and Donny Richard, 34, both of Raceland have also been charged in the investigation.
Deputies opened an investigation on November 17, 2023, after a boat was stolen from behind a Gheens residence. The next day, the stolen boat was located in a bayou in Raceland and recovered by LPSO Water Patrol deputies. The trailer, motor, and a toolbox from the boat were found nearby on Walker’s property. Investigators also found a stolen firearm at his residence. Walker was arrested and charged with illegal possession of a stolen firearm and stolen things. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on November 18 and was released on November 20 after posting $50,000 bond.
As the investigation continued, detectives obtained additional evidence linking Walker to the theft itself, along with evidence linking Rodrigue and Richard to the crime. After obtaining arrest warrants, Walker was arrested again on November 22, and booked on new charges including principal to felony theft and misdemeanor theft. This time, he was released with an ankle monitor after posting $30,000 bond on the new charges. Meanwhile, Richard was also arrested on November 22 and charged with possession of stolen things. He remains at the Correctional Complex. Bail is set at $25,000.
Investigators located Chaz Rodrigue on November 30, and he was arrested for his active warrant. He was booked into the Correctional Complex on charges including felony theft and obstruction of justice. Bail is set at $30,000.
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NOTE: Per Article 234 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, booking photos cannot be released for these arrests.
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced a Concealed Handgun Training Course will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the LPSO Shooting Range Facility located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. The class will begin at 8:00 a.m. and last until approximately 5:00 p.m. with a break for lunch. The actual ending time will vary due to class size.
The course will include the following:
Participants must bring a handgun in good working condition, 50 rounds of ammunition, eye protection (sunglasses or eyeglasses are sufficient), and ear protection (muffs or plugs).
The cost for the course is $110, and a special rate of $55 is offered for seniors (ages 60+). Online registration is required in advance due to the limited class size. This course is a pre-requisite for those applying for a Concealed Handgun Permit from the State of Louisiana. Go to LPSO.net/classes to register for this course online. For more information, contact Captain Kevin Johnson at (985) 449-4481 or by email at kevin-johnson@lpso.net.
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a FREE Hunter Education Field Day on Thursday, December 14, 2023. The Field Day will occur from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the LPSO Shooting Range at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. The Field Day is recommended for those ages 14 or older, and participants must have completed the home study course.
As an alternative to the traditional two-day classroom course, the Home Study Course is available online through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website. Those who complete the home study course MUST take their completion voucher to a “Field Day” to complete their hunter education. Entry to the Field Day will be denied unless the completed forms are presented. There will be a written test required to complete the Field Day. Class size is limited. Advance registration is required. CLICK HERE to register for the Field Day.
Firearms and ammunition should NOT be brought to this course, but snacks are permitted. For more information, or for assistance with online registration, call the LPSO Training Academy at (985) 449-4481 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email Captain Kevin Johnson at kevin-johnson@lpso.net.
