Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

UPDATE: Second Man Arrested in July 2023 Armed Robbery in Thibodaux

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a second man has been arrested in an armed robbery incident in July 2023 in which the victims were lured by a Facebook ad. Blake Chiasson Jr., 21, of Thibodaux was arrested on Tuesday. Darius Walter, 20, of Thibodaux had been arrested on the day of the incident.

At 4:20 p.m. on July 28, 2023, deputies responded to an armed robbery reported in the Thibodaux area. Through investigation, detectives learned a man and woman had gone to Lindsey Street in Thibodaux to meet up with someone regarding a trailer posted for sale on Facebook. When they arrived, they were greeted by a man who invited them inside the trailer to inspect it. Once inside a bedroom, a man with a ski mask robbed them at gunpoint, stealing a large amount of cash and two cell phones. The victims were able to get away from the area and call for help. Darius Walter was found and arrested shortly after the incident. He was booked with two counts of armed robbery with the use of a firearm and was released after posting bail in the amount of $55,000 on August 29, 2023.

As the investigation continued, detectives developed Chiasson as the second suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest. On Tuesday, October 17, while passing in the area of Ridgefield Road in Thibodaux, deputies spotted Chiasson and stopped to detain him. As the deputy approached, Chiasson started to run, but deputies were quickly able to take him into custody.

Chiasson was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on the warrant for two counts of armed robbery with use of a firearm. He was additionally charged with resisting an officer. Bail is set at $80,000.

Central Lafourche High School Student Charged Amid Threats

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Lafourche Parish Schools Superintendent Jarod Martin announced that a Central Lafourche High School student has been charged amid threats. The student was charged after being identified as the singer in a rap song uploaded to YouTube last week that contained threats of violence to individuals at the school. No specific threat has been made concerning the school or any certain date.

On October 16, 2023, deputies were alerted to the song by a concerned individual. The song contained thoughts of violence directed at specific teachers at the school. Through investigation, they identified the singer as a student at Central Lafourche High School. On Monday night, juvenile detectives located the student, and he was charged accordingly.

After the video began circulating on social media on Monday, an old screenshot of a threat regarding an ambiguous “central” school also began circulating on social media and via private messages. The rap song coupled with the screenshot caused concern for parents of Central Lafourche High School Students. Investigators have determined that the screenshot originated in another state and referenced a different school.

Sheriff Webre said there will be an increased presence at Central Lafourche High School on Tuesday out of an abundance of caution, but there is no specific or credible threat to the school.

Correctional Complex Warden Receives Prestigious Honor at State Conference

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced Major Cortrell Davis, warden of the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, has received the Richard L. Stalder Award. This award, presented by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, recognizes leaders in corrections who go above and beyond in exhibiting a “no excuses” leadership approach. Major Davis received the award on Monday, October 9, at the 2023 8th Annual Louisiana Correctional Association Training Conference in Lake Charles.

“Major Cortrell Davis has shown exemplary leadership and has contributed to the improvement of the corrections environment for all under his command,” said Sheriff Webre. He has excelled in every level of employment in Corrections that he has held. He exhibits unwavering leadership, high integrity, and outstanding support, both professionally and personally.”

The award was created to honor Richard L. Stadler who spent the last 16 years of a 30-year correctional career as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. He had a saying: “Responsibility for Results – Not Excuses.” He believed staff should take ownership in their day-to-day jobs and be accountable for operations and outcomes. It is in this spirit and in recognition of this approach that the Louisiana Correctional Association honors members who are dedicated corrections professionals who take ownership of their work and make no excuses.

The Louisiana Correctional Association is an affiliate of the American Correctional Association. Both the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex and the Transitional Work Program are accredited by the association. The Louisiana Correctional Association is dedicated to ensuring the correctional professionals of Louisiana’s criminal justice system are provided opportunities for professional development and are recognized for their contributions to the State of Louisiana.

Raceland Man Charged with Attempted Murder in Shooting Incident

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Raceland man for a shooting incident on Saturday. Charles Gale, 41, has been arrested on charges including attempted murder.

At around 3:45 p.m. on October 7, 2023, deputies responded to calls of shots fired in the area of LA Highway 1 and St. Louis Street in Raceland. According to reports, the shots occurred in the area involving persons in a black SUV and a white sedan. Minutes after the shooting, deputies located the black SUV heading northbound on LA 308 and later identified the owner of the white sedan. Through investigation, they identified the shooter as Charles Gale. They determined the shooting was the result of an ongoing feud with another man and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On Tuesday, October 10, Gale was taken into custody. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on charges including attempted second degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bail is set at $175,000.

Deputies Investigating Report of Shots Fired Near Thibodaux High School

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Thibodaux Chief of Police Bryan Zeringue announced an investigation after several shots were reportedly fired near Thibodaux High School on Friday night. A football game between Thibodaux High School and Hahnville High School was occurring at the time. Out of an abundance of caution, play was suspended, and all players and spectators left the area.

Following the report of shots fired, there was a medical incident involving a student-athlete. This incident was unrelated to the reported shots. There were no injuries of anyone at the football game related to the reported shots.

As of this time, no crime scene has been located nor have any victims been identified. Anyone with information on this incident 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.

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.

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.

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.