Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Larose Man Arrested in Drug Trafficking Investigation

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced narcotics agents made an arrest in a drug trafficking investigation. Jaron Rousse, 23, of Larose was arrested on Wednesday.

Narcotics agents had opened an investigation into Rousse for suspected drug trafficking. Through investigation, they received intelligence that a shipment of marijuana was expected to be delivered in the southern area of Lafourche Parish.

On September 25, 2024, agents located the truck involved in the delivery, and they observed Rousse attempt to collect the shipment from the truck. At that time, agents moved in and arrested Rousse. Agents seized this shipment which was approximately 120 pounds of marijuana. They also obtained a warrant to search Rousse’s residence. There they found additional evidence including drug paraphernalia and approximately $34,000 in cash.

Rousse was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, transactions involving proceeds from controlled dangerous substance activity, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held without bond, and he is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole due to a probation violation.

As this investigation continues, citizens are reminded that they can report any drug-related or suspicious activity. Information can be reported directly to the Narcotics Section commander, Lieutenant Adam Dufrene, at (985) 532-4365 or adam-dufrene@lpso.net. Information can also be reported anonymously through Bayou Region Crime Stoppers at 1-800-743-7433, at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips mobile app.

Event Locations Announced for 2024 Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, October 1

Sheriff Craig Webre has announced a list of 19 block party locations in Lafourche Parish for the 41st Annual National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. 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)
Ellender Hall at Nicholls State University (201 Afton Drive, Thibodaux)
Settlement at Live Oak (1888 Bayou Rd., Thibodaux)
471 Frederick 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)
Kingdom Impact Global Worship Centre (1949 Hwy 182, Raceland)
Rev. Lloyd Wallace Community Center (3603 Hwy. 308, Raceland)
329 Aspen Dr., Raceland
220 Twin Oaks 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)
Lefort Furniture & Appliances (14672 W Main St., Cut Off)
West 112th Street, Cut Off
Oak Ridge Community Park (705 N. Plaisance Blvd., Golden Meadow)

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 will be provided by our community partners: Lamm Food Service and Bimbo Bakeries USA.

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.

LPSO Online Sheriff’s Sale Scheduled for September 25, 2024

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host its first-ever online Sheriff’s Sale on September 25, 2024. The auction will be facilitated through the Bid4Assets website. Prospective bidders must register a free Bid4Assets account and fund a $500 deposit to participate in the sale. A registration link and list of properties can be found at LPSO.net/SheriffSales.

“Foreclosure auctions are one of the responsibilities of a Louisiana sheriff, and we hope this transition to an online auction will help improve sales resulting in helping homeowners get out of debt,” said Sheriff Webre “An online auction will expand the bidder pool, helping to increase sales, which makes it more likely for property owners to keep some of the equity in their homes. It also helps lenders use their capital on home and business loans in our community.”

Sheriff’s sales arise from defaulted debt on real property or movables, often a mortgage on a resident’s home. If the auction results in all debts and fees being satisfied and there are excess proceeds left over, these funds go to the property owner. Research supports that online sales increase participation and sales and as a result often generate higher excess proceeds for homeowners.

In 2023, a new law in Louisiana allowed sheriffs to conduct foreclosure auctions online. Tangipahoa and Ouachita Parish are among other parishes that have moved these sales online.

ABOUT BID4ASSETS:
Bid4Assets is one of the world’s leading online marketplaces for the sale of distressed real estate property sold by governments, county tax collectors, financial institutions, and real estate funds. Founded in 1999, it conducts online tax and foreclosure sales for counties across the United States and has sold more than 100,000 properties grossing more than $1 billion in completed government transactions. They have been auctioning federally forfeited and seized properties for agencies like the U.S. Marshals and Department of Treasury for over 20 years. Its primary focus is helping county and parish governments to conduct tax and judicial foreclosure auctions online.

Deputies Investigating Threat to Central Lafourche High School

The Lafouche Parish Sheriff’s Office and Lafourche Parish School District is actively investigating a threat to Central Lafourche High School. We are aware of similar school threats which have gone viral in surrounding parishes with the apparent intent to cause mass panic. While we understand this could be the case with this threat, we do not take any threat to school safety lightly. At this time, all students are safe, and we will continue to update the situation as information becomes available.

Two Lockport Drug Dealers Arrested in Narcotics Investigation

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced narcotics agents arrested two men for selling drugs in the Lockport area. Jude Davaine, 28, and Kobi Chiasson, 24, both of Lockport, face several counts each of drug distribution.

Agents had opened an investigation into Davaine and Chiasson and were initially able to obtain arrest warrants for Davaine for distribution of fentanyl and heroin, as well as warrants for Chiasson for distribution of fentanyl, heroin, and ketamine. The investigation led agents to also obtain search warrants for Davaine’s residence on Crescent Avenue and Chiasson’s residence on Ethel Street, both in Lockport. Assisted by officers with the Lockport Police Department, agents conducted searches at both residences and recovered evidence to support the investigation.

Davaine was arrested and charged with three counts of distribution of heroin and two counts of distribution of fentanyl. He was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail is set at $200,000.

Chiasson was arrested and charged with distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and ketamine. Bail is set at $100,000.

Citizens are reminded that they can report any drug-related or suspicious activity. Information can be reported directly to the Narcotics Section commander, Lieutenant Adam Dufrene, at (985) 532-4365 or adam-dufrene@lpso.net. Information can also be reported anonymously through Bayou Region Crime Stoppers at 1-800-743-7433, at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips mobile app.

Rape Aggression Defense Course Slated 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 22 – 24, 2024, at the 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 18, 2024, 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.

Free Concealed Carry Courses Scheduled for October 2024

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host two free concealed carry courses on Saturdays in October. The courses will be held on October 5 and 19, 2024, at the LPSO Shooting Range at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. The free informational course will cover gun safety, storage, liability, and prohibited carrying locations. Residents are encouraged to take the training if they intend to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, also known as “constitutional carry.”

The course will begin at 8 a.m. and end around 5 p.m. with a break for lunch. Those taking the course as a prerequisite to obtain the state concealed carry permit must stay for the entire course. Those wishing to attend simply for informational purposes can leave at any time. All participants must bring a handgun in good working condition, 50 rounds of ammunition, eye protection (sunglasses or eyeglasses are sufficient), and ear protection (muffs or plugs).

The course is free, but online registration is required in advance due to the limited class size. Go to LPSO.net/classes to register for this course online. For more information, contact Captain Kevin Johnson at (985) 449-4481 or by email at kevin-johnson@lpso.net.

ABOUT CONCEALED CARRY IN LOUISIANA:
Act No. 6 of the 2024 Regular Session of the Louisiana State Legislature amends existing law to allow for those 18 years of age or older to carry a firearm concealed within the state without obtaining a permit or training. The law only applies to those not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm by any state or federal law. The law also only applies within the state of Louisiana and is not reciprocal to other states. To carry concealed in those states with existing reciprocity laws, you must still obtain a concealed carry permit from the State of Louisiana.

Contractor Fraud Response Team Activated in Response to Hurricane Francine

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre, Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson III, and Lafourche Parish District Attorney Kristine Russell have once again assembled the Contractor Fraud Response Team to fight contractor fraud during the recovery efforts from Hurricane Francine.

“Legitimate contractors are already in the area attempting to assist residents with repairs, and so, scam artists won’t be far behind,” said Sheriff Webre. “From roof inspections to tree removal and major repairs, con artists will take advantage of anyone in need. Our team is ready to pursue, arrest and prosecute anyone committing contractor fraud in Lafourche Parish.”

Citizens should be alert to warning signs of common contractor scams, such as door-to-door solicitations, demands for cash and unusually large down payments, and high-pressure sales tactics. Be wary of anyone with no insurance, no license, no permanent address, or cannot provide references. If there is any concern, citizens are encouraged to photograph the contractor’s representative, vehicle, and license plate. Residents are also cautioned not to allow contractors to work directly with the resident’s insurance company.

Any contractor working in Lafourche Parish MUST have a Lafourche Parish occupational license, and a permit must be obtained for all work performed. Those can be obtained at the Lafourche Parish Mathews Government Complex, 4876 Highway 1 in Mathews. Permit fees have been temporarily waived.

Citizens should check references and ensure the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured. Ask for a copy of the Lafourche Parish occupational license and a copy of the permit for the work. Projects over $7,500 also require a state contractor’s license which can be verified on the Louisiana State Licensing Board website: LSLBC.gov. Citizens who use unlicensed or uninsured contractors do so at their own risk of liability, no warranty, and may not have recourse for substandard work.

“Citizens should proceed with caution and follow the tips from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office,” said Parish President Chaisson. “This team will be diligent in monitoring activity throughout the parish.”

Victims should call our Contractor Fraud Hotline at (985) 413-4498 or email contractorfraud@lpso.net. Officials urge citizens to report suspected fraud even if they are unsure whether actual criminal fraud has been committed, or if unsure if it is a civil matter. All reports will be fully investigated.

“We want to send a clear message to those who would take advantage of innocent victims in our community: you will not go unchecked, and you will be prosecuted,” said District Attorney Russell.

Deputies Rescue Several Families from Rising Waters Caused by Francine

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced deputies rescued multiple families in the Thibodaux area on Wednesday night who were trapped due to rising water following Hurricane Francine. A total of 26 people were rescued and most were transported to the emergency shelter at the Lockport Community Center.

At around 7:30 p.m., deputies responded to a call of residents trapped in housing units on Lasseigne Road in Thibodaux due to rising water caused by rainfall. All residents, including many small children, were safely evacuated from the units. Deputies also rescued residents from rising waters in other areas in Thibodaux and in the Kraemer community.

Deputies will have an increased presence in Lafourche Parish overnight with most of the parish out of power and a curfew in effect until 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 12. They will work to assess and clear roadways overnight to allow restoration efforts to begin on Thursday morning.

Residents are reminded that the best way to stay informed is by downloading the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office mobile app: LPSO.net/MobileApp.

Residents are also reminded that LPSO phone lines are still down. Please continue to contact 911 for emergencies. If you experience any issues dialing 911 or you otherwise need to contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, please call any of the following numbers:

(985) 413-5677
(985) 413-7158
(985) 413-7556

Lafourche Parish Curfew Extended; Phone Lines Down

Due to the impacts from Hurricane Francine, Lafourche Parish officials have extended the curfew currently in effect until 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 12. Everyone in Lafourche Parish should remain sheltered in place until that time. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies are actively enforcing the curfew, and essential personnel should be carrying their ID or placard.

Phone services have also been affected. Please continue to contact 911 for emergencies. If you experience any issues dialing 911 or you otherwise need to contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, please call any of the following numbers:

(985) 413-5677
(985) 413-7158
(985) 413-7556