Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced one man has been arrested another is being sought in connection to an armed robbery in Cut Off. Eddie Coleman Jr., 25, of Golden Meadow has been arrested. Detectives are seeking to identify the second suspect.
The incident occurred at a bank on West Main Street in Cut Off. 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 from one of the victims.
Through investigation, detectives identified one of the men as Eddie Coleman Jr. and obtained a warrant for his arrest. Coleman was subsequently arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with armed robbery with use of a firearm. Bail is set at $1 million.
Detectives are seeking to identify the second person involved in this crime. Anyone with any information 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.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced two men from Thibodaux were arrested for sex crimes involving the same teenager. Christopher Borne, 34, and Henry Scott Jr., 38, each face charges in connection to the teenager.
Last week, juvenile detectives opened an investigation after learning that Borne and Scott each reportedly had sexual contact with a 16-year-old. Both had made initial contact with the teenager through a smartphone app designed for social networking and online dating. During questioning, both admitted to their roles. Detectives also found evidence that Borne’s encounter with the juvenile was captured on video.
Borne and Scott were both arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. Borne was charged with indecent behavior with a juvenile, pornography involving a juvenile and carnal knowledge of a juvenile. His bail is set at $175,000. Scott was charged with indecent behavior with a juvenile and carnal knowledge of a juvenile, and his bail is set at $150,000.
Due to the nature of the allegations, no further information will be released.
Sheriff Webre again encourages parents to take an active role in their children’s lives, especially when it comes to smartphone usage and social media. “Ensure you are constantly monitoring what your child is doing on their smartphone or device. Define rules and parameters for using those devices, and be sure you have all the current passwords for your child’s own safety.”
For more information on the dangers of cybercrime including tips for parents, please visit www.LPSO.net/Cybercrime.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Cut Off man arrested for sex crimes in May 2022 has been booked on new charges after new victims came forward. Ralph Cheramie Jr., 62, now faces charges for three separate females who were victimized between 12-20 years ago.
Through investigation, detectives learned Cheramie had inappropriate sexual contact with a juvenile girl beginning approximately 20 years ago. The first incident occurred when the girl was a young teenager. Following the investigation, detectives obtained a warrant and arrested Cheramie on May 31, 2022. At the time, he was charged with two counts of oral sexual battery, sexual battery, and indecent behavior with a juvenile.
After the announcement of his arrest, additional victims came forward. Detectives were able to find probable cause for additional charges for Cheramie for inappropriate sexual contact with two more victims that occurred when the females were juveniles – one of which was under the age of 13 at the time of the incident. Cheramie was subsequently booked on new charges including three counts of sexual battery (forcible fondling), three counts of indecent behavior with juveniles, and molestation of a juvenile under the age of 13.
Due to the nature of these crimes, no additional information will be released.
The investigation into Cheramie is continuing. Any other victims are encouraged to contact Lieutenant Rodney Morrison of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (985) 532-4359.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Cut Off man who stole a vehicle in a convenience store parking lot on Tuesday afternoon. Eric Vincent, 36, was arrested within two hours of the incident.
Just after 4 p.m. on May 2, 2023, deputies responded to a report of a vehicle stolen outside a convenience store located on West Main Street in Cut Off. A family had gone into the convenience store and left the car unlocked with the keys inside. When they exited the store, they found the vehicle was gone. Deputies later received a tip that Eric Vincent had stolen the car and was traveling northbound on West Main Street. Deputies located Vincent in the Cut Off area. Vincent resisted deputies, but they were able to take him into custody. The car was found abandoned in a wooded area nearby with minor damages and other missing items including a cell phone.
Vincent was transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was booked on charges of theft of a motor vehicle, felony theft, and resisting an officer. Bail has not yet been set.
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NOTE: Per Article 234 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, booking photos cannot be released.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced two people were arrested after being found with drugs. Manuel Basulito, 52, and Trinity Vizier, 21, both of Galliano, were arrested last week.
Narcotics agents had obtained a search warrant for a residence on West 152nd Street in Galliano due to ongoing investigations. On April 27, 2023, agents and patrol deputies arrived at the residence where they encountered several individuals including Basulito and Vizier. Agents located small amounts of heroin, fentanyl and diazepam, as well as several articles of drug paraphernalia. These items were determined to belong to Vizier. Basulito was also found to have methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in his possession.
Both Basulito and Vizier were arrested and transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. Basulito was booked on charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He was released after posting $5,500 bond. Vizier was booked on the contempt warrant, and she was additionally charged with possession of heroin, fentanyl, diazepam, and drug paraphernalia. Her bail is set at $26,500.
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NOTE: Per Article 234 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, booking photos cannot be released.
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is working with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) to develop a program aimed at assisting veterans in crisis. Representatives from SAMHSA are in Thibodaux this week to present information to the local group of community partners working on this endeavor with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office – the first agency in the state of Louisiana selected to work on the project.
“Supporting our veterans means more than just thanking them for their service,” said Sheriff Webre. “It also means recognizing the toll that service can take on their mental health, and providing them with the resources and assistance necessary to heal and thrive.”
Caring for service members, veterans and their families who are experiencing an emotional crisis requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. When these individuals are receiving treatment in the midst of a mental health crisis, they are at an increased risk of dying by suicide. SAMHSA developed the Crisis Intercept Map for suicide prevention to help communities recognize gaps and strengthen the delivery of suicide prevention policies and practices for service members and veterans.
LPSO and its team of community partners are meeting with SAMHSA this week to begin creating the Crisis Intercept Map for our region. Throughout this process, the team will discuss opportunities to implement essential practices and protocols including universal screening, safety planning, safety amid lethal means, and to promote connectedness.
“Our ultimate goal through these efforts is to identify veterans in need of help and connect them with the proper services and resources our community partners can provide,” said Sheriff Webre. “We are honored to participate in this national initiative to develop this interagency team that will create an action plan to improve crisis care services across the continuum.”
Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. The goal is to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness.
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***If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or is in a crisis, help is available. Text or call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to connect with a crisis counselor.***
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced one man is dead and another was injured in a shooting that occurred in Thibodaux on Sunday. The investigation is continuing.
At around 12:20 p.m. on April 30, 2023, deputies responded to calls of gunshots reported in the 1300 block of Lasseigne Road in Thibodaux. Officers from Thibodaux Police Department also responded to assist. When they arrived, deputies found one victim had been shot in the torso, and he was later pronounced dead. A second victim was shot in the leg and transported to a local hospital for treatment.
While no arrests have yet been made, detectives have made progress in the investigation. Additional evidence must be processed and interviews must be conducted before charges are officially brought forward.
Further information, including the identity of the victim, will be released later.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Lockport man for allegedly sending lewd text messages and photos to a 13-year-old girl. Scott Boudreaux Jr., 19, was arrested on Thursday.
Earlier this year, juvenile detectives began an investigation into Boudreaux after learning he had sent sexually explicit text messages and photos to a 13-year-old girl. Through investigation, they found evidence that Boudreaux sent the messages to the juvenile using his girlfriend’s smartphone. Detectives then obtained a warrant for his arrest.
On the evening of Thursday, April 28, 2023, an officer with the Lockport Police Department located Boudreaux in the Town of Lockport and made contact with him. As Boudreaux saw deputies approaching, he started running but was apprehended shortly thereafter.
Boudreaux was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux on a warrant for computer-aided solicitation of a minor. He was additionally charged with resisting an officer. Bail is set at $77,500.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Bayou Blue couple for cruelty to a juvenile. Ray Matherne Jr., 27, and Amber Doiron, 28, were arrested on Friday.
On the morning of Friday, April 21, 2023, juvenile detectives were called to a head start location regarding a child who arrived with a black eye that had been covered by makeup, as well as marks on the neck and arm. Through investigation, detectives learned Matherne had allegedly struck the child two days prior and that Doiron had allegedly grabbed the child causing the marks to the neck and arm. Detectives further learned the couple used makeup in an attempt to conceal the child’s black eye. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for each of them.
Matherne and Doiron were arrested on Friday evening and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. Each was charged with one count of cruelty to a juvenile. Matherne was released Saturday morning after posting $50,000 bail. Doiron remains in custody, and bail is set at $50,000.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course on May 15-17, 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 the course of 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 deadline to register for the class is May 12, 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.
