Teen Charged with Terrorizing in Wednesday Bomb Scare at Thibodaux High School

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Lafourche Parish Schools Superintendent Jarod Martin announced a teenage student at Thibodaux High School has been charged in connection with a bomb scare that occurred at the school on Wednesday.

Just before 11 a.m. on September 27, 2023, the school resource officer at Thibodaux High School was notified by school officials of a handwritten message on a door bathroom stall door in a boys’ restroom. The message indicated the author had a bomb and was dated with Wednesday’s date.

School officials and deputies with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office along with Thibodaux Police officers and Louisiana State Police coordinated a full evacuation of the school which also resulted in an early dismissal. Meanwhile, a team of officers conducted a full security sweep of the entire school, but no explosive devices, weapons or anything suspicious was found.

Investigators developed a 15-year-old male student as a possible suspect, and the student was detained. Following an investigation, the juvenile was charged with terrorizing and placed at the Juvenile Justice Facility in Thibodaux.

UPDATE: Two Charged with Murder of Thibodaux Man Found in Assumption Parish

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced two people have been charged with murder in the investigation into the death of a Thibodaux man. The body of Troymichael Johnlouis, 34, was found in Assumption Parish on September 18, 2023. Eddie Clark III, 26, of Baton Rouge and Tierra Pendleton, 25, of Thibodaux were both charged with murder in the investigation which spanned several jurisdictions.

On September 17, 2023, Johnlouis was reported missing in Lafourche Parish after being last seen entering a car with a woman on the evening prior. The next day, his body was recovered from Bayou Lafourche in Assumption Parish and found to have several wounds including gunshot wounds. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be homicide.

Through an investigation that involved Sheriff’s Offices in the parishes of Lafourche, Assumption, Terrebonne, Jefferson, and East Baton Rouge, investigators identified Clark and Pendleton as suspects in the investigation. Detectives identified Pendleton as the woman in the car that Johnlouis was seen entering. The investigation also revealed Clark was waiting in the vehicle and armed with a knife and gun. After Johnlouis entered the vehicle, Clark allegedly attacked him. Johnlouis suffered multiple lacerations and gunshot wounds, and Pendleton drove away quickly. Johnlouis’ body was eventually transported to Assumption Parish and dumped into Bayou Lafourche.

Detectives found vehicles believed to be used in the commission of the crime in East Baton Rouge Parish and Jefferson Parish, and they found evidence inside the vehicle related to the case. Detectives obtained arrest warrants for Clark and Pendleton for second degree murder.

On September 21, 2023, investigators from multiple agencies executed a search warrant at Pendleton’s residence in Terrebonne. Clark was present and was arrested. He was booked into the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held for Lafourche Parish on the murder charge. The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office also has a warrant for Clark for improper disposal of human remains and obstruction of justice.

Evidence of the crime was discovered at Pendleton’s residence. She was arrested on Tuesday, September 26, and was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on the warrant for second degree murder. Bail is set at $500,000.

Sheriff Craig Webre sincerely thanks Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto III, and East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux III and their agencies for their assistance in this investigation.

Eddie Clark III
Eddie Clark III

Tierra Pendleton
Tierra Pendleton

Rape Aggression Defense Course Scheduled for October in Thibodaux

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course on October 16-18, 2023, at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Complex, located at 1300 Lynn Street in Thibodaux.

This self-defense course designed for women will take place over three days. The class will begin at 6 p.m. and end around 9:30 p.m. each day. Participants must attend all three days. Course instruction will be provided by certified R.A.D. instructors from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The cost of the course is $10 to cover the cost of course materials and is non-refundable. Class size is limited, and advance registration is required. You can register and pay for the course online at www.LPSO.net/classes. The class registration deadline is October 13, 2023, at 11 a.m.

For more information, please call Lucie Morvant at (985) 446-2367 or email Captain Kevin Johnson at kevin-johnson@lpso.net.

#NNOLafourche – Event Locations Announced for 2023 National Night Out

Sheriff Craig Webre has announced a list of 15 block party locations in Lafourche Parish for the 40th Annual National Night Out on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies will be visiting each location to speak with area residents about crime prevention and neighborhood concerns. Each party will begin at 6 p.m. and will last until around 9 p.m.

Here is a list of block party locations around Lafourche Parish:

  • Bayou Boeuf Volunteer Fire Co. Station (3457 LA 307, Bayou Boeuf)
  • Thibodaux Family Church (785 N. Canal Blvd., Thibodaux)
  • Thibodaux Housing Authority (1425 Eagle Dr., Thibodaux)
  • 301 Hyland Dr., Thibodaux
  • 100 Bayou Vista Dr., Thibodaux
  • Bayou Blue Volunteer Fire Station (1870 Bayou Blue Road)
  • Ebenezer Christian Community Fellowship (824 St. Louis St., Raceland)
  • Rev. Lloyd Wallace Community Center (3603 Hwy. 308, Raceland)
  • 329 Aspen Dr., Raceland
  • Vacherie-Gheens Community Center (1783 Hwy. 654, Gheens)
  • Lockport Town Hall (710 Church St., Lockport)
  • The Broadway Elder Living & Rehabilitation Center (7534 Hwy. 1, Lockport)
  • Myrtle Dr./Beverly St., Lockport
  • 305 West 112th Street, Cut Off
  • Oak Ridge Community Park (705 N. Plaisance Blvd., Golden Meadow)

The annual National Night Out parade will take place in the Raceland area, beginning at the U.S. Highway 90 Fire Station and continuing throughout the streets of the Sugar Land Subdivision.

Each block party will be unique and offer various interactive activities for children and adults. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will be providing food and refreshments at each party. Food and drink will be provided by our community partners: Rendezvous restaurant, Lamm Food Service, and Bimbo Bakeries USA. Coloring books and crayons will also be provided for children at each party courtesy of Bayou Region Crime Stoppers.

For a new twist in 2023, signs bearing the event hashtag, #NNOLafourche will be at each party location. Those attending parties are encouraged to take photos holding the hashtag signs and repost them on social media outlets using that hashtag. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will also have posts on Facebook and Twitter on Tuesday asking people to comment or reply with their photos. The hashtag signs have been donated by the Lafourche Civic Association.

Anyone in Lafourche Parish who has planned a party that is not on this list is asked to contact Deputy Melissa Simmons at (985) 449-4478 or via email at melissa-simmons@lpso.net.

2023 National Night Out Logo

DWI and Seat Belt Checkpoints Scheduled for September 27 and 28

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct a DWI checkpoint and seat belt checkpoint this week in Lafourche Parish. These checkpoints are designed to help raise awareness for these types of violations and make the highways of the parish safer for all motorists.

The DWI checkpoint will take place on the evening of Wednesday, September 27, 2023. During the DWI checkpoint, deputies will be looking for drivers who are possibly impaired while checking for other traffic safety issues. The seat belt checkpoint will be conducted on Thursday, September 28, 2023, and deputies will focus on checking for seat belt and child safety seat violations.

Sheriff Webre reminds citizens to designate a driver if they are going to drink. Motorists suspected of DWI who refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test will lose their driver’s license for one year (first offense). For a second offense, the penalty increases to two years. Anyone convicted of a DWI offense while their driver’s license is suspended because of another DWI offense will face automatic prison time. Lafourche Parish is also a “No Refusal” parish, meaning if a suspected drunk driver refuses a breathalyzer test, deputies will seek a search warrant to have that person’s blood tested.

UPDATE: Missing Thibodaux Man Found Dead in Assumption Parish

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon announced a body recovered in Assumption Parish has been identified as a missing Thibodaux man. Troymicheal Johnlouis, 34, was found with gunshot wounds and other wounds on Monday night.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office had been searching for Johnlouis since he was reported missing during the early morning hours of September 17, 2023. He had been reportedly last seen entering a car with a woman on the evening prior.

Then, on Monday evening, deputies with the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a possible body in Bayou Lafourche in the Supreme area, about 10 miles northwest of Thibodaux. At around 8:15 p.m., a body was recovered from Bayou Lafourche, and investigators identified the man as Troymicheal Johnlouis. He was found to have several wounds including gunshot wounds. An autopsy is being conducted at the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office.

Detectives from Lafourche Parish and Assumption Parish are working together on this homicide investigation as they try to determine where the crime may have taken place. Anyone with any information that may be helpful to investigators 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.

Troymicheal Johnlouis
Troymicheal Johnlouis

MISSING PERSON: Troymicheal Johnlouis

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 34-year-old Troymicheal Johnlouis of Thibodaux. He was reportedly last seen entering a dark-colored, four-door car being driven by a woman on the evening of September 16, 2023. 

Johnlouis is described as 5’4″ tall, weighing approximately 180 pounds, and he has a tattoo on his forehead. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, black jeans, and black slippers. Detectives suspect foul play is involved. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.

Troymicheal Johnlouis
Troymicheal Johnlouis

2023 Night Out Against Crime Slated for Tuesday, October 3

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the 2023 Night Out Against Crime will take place on Tuesday, October 3. This year marks the 40th year of the nationwide event.

Citizens will host block parties throughout the parish, and Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies will be attending to meet community members to discuss crime prevention and any other concerns. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will supply each party with some food items and coloring books courtesy of Bayou Region Crime Stoppers. Each party host, though, is encouraged to organize additional food, refreshments and fun with attendees from their community.

Anyone interested in hosting a block party is asked to contact Deputy Melissa Simmons at (985) 449-4478 or via email at melissa-simmons@lpso.net. The deadline to contact Deputy Simmons to get on the official block party list is Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

ABOUT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT:
National Night Out is a yearlong community-building campaign designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Approximately 38 million people from more than 17,000 communities across the nation participate in the annual event which is held in August or October, depending on location. The first National Night Out took place on August 7, 1984, and it was introduced by the National Association of Town Watch which continues to spearhead the event today.

2023 National Night Out Logo

Lafayette Man Charged with Burglary of Golden Meadow Business

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Lafayette man has been charged with burglary at a Golden Meadow business. Joshua Deruise, 31, faces multiple burglary charges as the investigation is ongoing.

On September 8, 2023, investigators with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office began working together regarding suspect vehicles in connection to burglaries at a business in Golden Meadow that occurred earlier in the week. Through investigation, Joshua Deruise was developed as a suspect, and he had an active warrant for burglary in Lafayette Parish.

Deputies in Lafayette Parish conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with no license plate matching the description of Deruise’s vehicle. They identified him as the driver and located the license plate inside the vehicle. After obtaining a search warrant for the vehicle, detectives from both agencies conducted the search and collected multiple articles of evidence related to the burglary at the Lafourche Parish business, including items stolen in the burglary.

Deruise was arrested by the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on an active warrant for simple burglary. He is also being held on charges for Lafourche Parish after detectives obtained a warrant for two counts of simple burglary. His total bail on all charges is $502,500.

The case remains under investigation. Additional charges and arrests are possible.

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NOTE: Per Article 234 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, a booking photo cannot be released for this arrest.

Investigators Bust Auto Theft Ring in Lafourche and Terrebonne

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced investigators from multiple agencies worked together to take down an auto theft ring in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes. Allen Punch, 48, of Bayou Blue, Bobby Foreman Jr., 53, of Thibodaux, Sarah Holliday, 41, of Bayou Blue, and a juvenile were all charged during the investigation. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office worked with the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, Houma Police Department, and Louisiana State Police to solve the case.

Three vehicles were reported stolen from August 19 through August 22, 2023. In each case, these vehicles had been disabled and left abandoned at along a road or highway. Through investigation, two of those vehicles were located at a recycling business in Houma, and Allen Punch was developed as a suspect in the auto thefts. While detectives were at the recycling business, Punch drove up to the business with the third stolen vehicle. He was detained and eventually arrested after questioning. He was also found to have methamphetamine in his possession.

Further investigation revealed Sarah Holliday had allegedly stolen a vehicle that had been left abandoned on the Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge in St. Charles Parish. Investigators located the stolen vehicle at Holliday’s Bayou Blue residence. They also learned a teenage boy was involved in stealing two of the vehicles.

Investigators learned Punch had been using a truck and trailer registered to Bobby Foreman Jr. to transport the stolen vehicles for scrapping. Investigators obtained a search warrant for Foreman’s shop. When investigators reviewed surveillance, they found evidence of a fifth stolen vehicle that had not yet been reported stolen out of Houma. The owner was identified and informed that the vehicle had been scrapped. Foreman, meanwhile, was charged by Houma Police on an outstanding warrant on an unrelated investigation. He was charged with illegal possession of stolen things and forgery as part of this investigation.

In all, investigators recovered four stolen vehicles, with the fifth one having been scrapped before the beginning of the investigation. Punch and Holliday were arrested and booked into the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex.

Punch was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of illegal possession of stolen things, two counts of forgery, and possession of methamphetamine in Terrebonne Parish. He also faces charges of three counts of theft of a motor vehicle and one count of forgery in Lafourche Parish.

Holliday was charged with illegal possession of stolen things and theft of a motor vehicle in Terrebonne Parish, and she was found to have five active contempt of court warrants. She was also charged with three counts of theft of a motor vehicle and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles in Lafourche Parish, in addition to two warrants for contempt of court.

The juvenile involved also faces two counts of motor vehicle theft in Lafourche Parish.

Sheriff Craig Webre encourages motorists to have a disabled vehicle towed to avoid leaving it along a highway whenever possible. If the owner cannot have the vehicle towed at that time, those traveling in the vehicle should remove all valuables and fully secure the vehicle. The owner should then contact the Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana State Police to inform them about the vehicle so that deputies and troopers are aware of its location and so they can possibly offer additional assistance.

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NOTE: Per Article 234 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, booking photos cannot be released for these arrests.