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.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 15-year-old Bailey Meek of 110 South Leon Drive in Gheens. Bailey was last seen at his home at around 2 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
Bailey Meek is described as 5’5” tall, weighing approximately 130 pounds with brown hair. Anyone with information on his 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 the arrest of a Galliano man for sex crimes involving juveniles. Benjamin Griffin, 19, was arrested on Monday.
Late last year, juvenile detectives opened an investigation after learning Griffin allegedly had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Detectives learned the two had exchanged photos and messages of a sexual nature with each other and that Griffin would sneak into the girl’s home at night and the two would engage in sexual intercourse. Through the course of the investigation, detectives also discovered Griffin had nude photographs of another 16-year-old girl. Detectives made attempts to speak with Griffin about these incidents, but he refused to meet. Detectives then obtained a warrant for his arrest.
On April 17, 2023, patrol deputies made contact with Griffin, and he was arrested. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Center. He was charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile, computer-aided solicitation for sexual purposes, and pornography involving juveniles. Bail is set at $250,000.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are investigating the disappearance of a Raceland man who has been missing for nearly one month. Wilbert Molaison, 44, of Morristown Bypass Road was last seen in the area near his home on March 17, 2023.
Molaison was reported missing late last week by a family member living outside of Lafourche Parish. The relative stated that no family members had heard from him. The relative admitted that Molaison was a known drug user but stated he has not gone this long without speaking to family. Detectives spent the next several days tracking down leads and searched for Molaison in several locations he was known to frequent or possibly be staying.
This investigation is ongoing, and foul play has not been ruled out.
Wilbert Molaison is described as 5’10” tall, weighing approximately 160 pounds with black hair. Anyone with information on his whereabouts or his disappearance is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808. Information can also be sent anonymously to Bayou Region Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips mobile app.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced that a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office commander has attained the international professional designation of “Public Information Officer” (PIO). The Commission on Professional Credentialing met on April 4, 2023, to confer the designation to Captain Brennan Matherne who has served as PIO of the Sheriff’s Office since September 2011. He becomes one of only 23 certified PIOs worldwide and the first in the state of Louisiana.
Captain Brennan Matherne
Sheriff Webre stated, “It is gratifying to see that Captain Brennan Matherne’s high standards and numerous accomplishments as our PIO have been recognized and rewarded with this most prestigious worldwide honor! Brennan is the epitome of professionalism, competency and integrity on a personal and professional level. When I first met him as a young man working at KLRZ-FM many years ago, it was apparent that his work ethic and uncompromising standards would distinguish him among his peers. Hence, it comes as no surprise to me that his colleagues would find him worthy of such a high honor.”
The PIO designation program is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate their excellence in seven measured components including experience, education, professional development, professional contributions, association membership, community involvement, and technical competence. Those being considered for designation undergo a comprehensive peer review. The Commission on Professional Credentialing awards the designation only after an individual successfully meets all the organization’s stringent criteria.
Captain Matherne has served as PIO of LPSO since September 2011 and served at Lafourche Parish Government for six years prior. He has kept the public informed during numerous major hurricanes and significant events such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. He is a past president of the National Information Officers Association (2017-2018) and a past chair of the Lafourche Chamber of Commerce (2022). He has taught numerous PIO courses and has taught media relations to all new police chiefs in the State of Louisiana for the past six years. He is also active in the community, coaching youth sports and volunteering with Bless Your Heart Nonprofit.
Achieving this designation demonstrates Captain Matherne’s commitment to his role in public service. “I am always thrilled to have the opportunity to represent my agency and my parish on a national level,” said Captain Matherne. “This designation now puts Lafourche Parish on a very exclusive international list of professional agencies. It is an incredible honor to help shine a spotlight on my home parish.”
Sheriff Webre added, “The citizens of Lafourche Parish are very fortunate to be the benefactors of a PIO of Captain Matherne’s caliber. This is especially true in today’s world of real-time information, misinformation and social media. Brennan is a highly regarded and essential member of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office administration, and I hope that our citizens will join me in congratulating him.”
The Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc., administers the designation program. The commission consists of individuals from academia, federal and local government, and the fire and emergency medical services profession. To learn more about CPC, visit www.cpse.org/credentialing.
Sheriff Craig Webre has identified the deputy who died after a suspect rammed the deputy’s vehicle early Sunday morning. Detective Sergeant Nicholas Pepper, 44, was pronounced dead at a local hospital on Sunday. The suspect is in custody, and Louisiana State Police is handling the crash and criminal investigation.
“Nick epitomized all that is honored and revered in a peace officer,” said Sheriff Webre. “The tremendous outpouring of love and gratitude from the community is truly appreciated. I ask that you continue to keep Sergeant Nick Pepper and his family, as well as our Sheriff’s Office family, in your thoughts and prayers.”
The initial investigation by Louisiana State Police revealed an officer with the Houma Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation. The suspect fled at a high rate of speed. Police pursued the suspect and, at some point during the pursuit, the suspect stopped. Officers attempted to negotiate with the suspect who sped off and rammed into Sergeant Pepper’s unit which was stopped nearby. Sergeant Pepper sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was later pronounced dead at Thibodaux Regional Health System. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries.
Nicholas Pepper began his career at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office on October 15, 2007. He served his entire career in the investigations division, most recently as a supervisor in adult investigations. He was an integral part of nearly every major criminal investigation in Lafourche Parish for more than a decade. Prior to his LPSO career, he spent time with the Houma Police Department and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, part of a law enforcement career that spanned nearly 24 years of service. Pepper’s wife, Christie, is also employed through the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office as an investigator for the Lafourche Parish District Attorney. He also leaves behind two daughters, Patience and Gracie, and a son, Nicholas Jr.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is deeply saddened to announce the death of a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy who died after a suspect rammed the deputy’s vehicle early Sunday morning. The deputy’s identity is not being released at this time. The suspect is in custody, and Louisiana State Police is handling the crash and criminal investigation.
Just before 4 a.m. on April 2, 2023, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call informing deputies that the Houma Police Department was involved in a pursuit with a suspect who had entered Lafourche Parish. The pursuit led officers to near Lafourche Crossing in Thibodaux where the suspect stopped. After speaking with officers who were attempting to negotiate, the suspect accelerated and struck the deputy’s vehicle which was positioned nearby. The deputy inside the vehicle was transported to a local hospital where the deputy later succumbed to his injuries.
Sheriff Webre stated, “We are all processing and grieving this horrific and tragic death of one or our own. We are with the family providing them with support and prayers at this unbelievably difficult time. We ask for the community’s love, prayers and support as well.”
“Our office is forever grateful for the response of all those involved at the scene including the Louisiana State Police, Thibodaux Police Department, Houma Police Department, Nicholls State University Police Department, Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department, Lafourche Parish Coroner’s Office, and Acadian Ambulance, as well as the staff at Thibodaux Regional Health System for their efforts,” added Sheriff Webre.
Further information, including the deputy’s name, will be released at a later time.
