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.
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.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the father of a six-year-old, who was shot by his brother in February, has been charged with negligent homicide in the incident. Davonta Michel Sr., 24, of Raceland has been arrested in connection with the death of his son, six-year-old Davonta “D.J.” Michel Jr.
At 7:45 p.m. on February 22, 2023, a man called 911 and reported a small child had been shot at a residence in the 2000 block of LA Highway 182 in Raceland. The boy, later identified as Michel Jr., became unresponsive. CPR was administered on the scene, and the child was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators learned the child and his six-year-old brother found a loaded handgun in a bedroom at the residence and began playing with it. At one point, the firearm discharged, striking Michel Jr. The boys were at the residence with their grandparents at the time of the incident.
Through further investigation, detectives learned the boys found the gun unsecured in their father’s bedroom. Following a full investigation into the incident, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Michel Sr.
On Monday, March 27, 2023, Michel Sr. turned himself in at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was booked with negligent homicide. Bail is set at $200,000.
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NOTE: Per Act 494 (effective June 2022), a mug shot cannot be released.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course on April 17-19, 2023, t the LPSO Shooting Range classroom located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland.
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 April 14, 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.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a former Lockport mayor for falsifying community service reports while in office. Edward Reinhardt, 73, of Lockport was arrested on Tuesday.
Through investigation, deputies learned Reinhardt allegedly falsified community service documents for multiple individuals beginning in 2019. Reinhardt reportedly signed paperwork stating that court-ordered community service hours had been completed for individuals who had not completed all or any of the hours. Following an investigation into the matter, deputies obtained a warrant for Reinhardt’s arrest.
On March 21, 2023, Reinhardt was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with malfeasance in office. Bail is set at $25,000.
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NOTE: Per Act 494 (effective June 2022), a mug shot cannot be released.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct a DWI checkpoint in Lafourche Parish on March 20, 2023. The checkpoint will begin on the evening of Monday, March 20 and will continue into the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 21. During the checkpoint, deputies will be looking for drivers who are possibly impaired while checking for other traffic safety issues. These checkpoints are designed to help raise awareness for these types of violations and make the highways of the parish safer for all motorists.
