Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct a seat belt checkpoint in Lafourche Parish on March 14, 2023. During this checkpoint, deputies will be checking motorists for seat belt and safety seat violations, as well as for proper inspection tags and other potential violations. Checkpoints are designed to help raise awareness for these types of violations and make the highways of the parish safer for all motorists.
Employee at Larose Company Arrested for Embezzling Over $120,000
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Cut Off woman who embezzled over $120,000 from her employer. Christi Cheramie, 50, was arrested on Friday.
In late January 2023, detectives opened an investigation into Cheramie after her employer, a Larose company, reported over $120,000 having been stolen. The company discovered irregular charges to the business checking account over the span of five years dating back to May 2017. Following an investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for Cheramie’s arrest.
On Friday, March 10, detectives arrested Cheramie at her residence. During questioning, she admitted to using company funds to pay off personal credit card statements.
Cheramie was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. She was charged with Felony Theft. Bail is set at $100,000.
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NOTE: Per Act 494 (effective June 2022), a mug shot cannot be released.
Detectives Investigating Series of Burglaries at Galliano Boat Storage Facility
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the persons responsible for burglaries at a boat storage facility in Galliano. There were three separate burglaries at the facility during daytime hours.
One instance involved what appeared to be a middle-aged white man and two other subjects who could possibly be juvenile girls who were traveling in a dark gray or blue Lincoln sedan. The man returned four days later in a dark gray Mitsubishi sedan with a woman. Another incident involved two females, who appeared to be middle-aged, traveling in a white Ford F250 4×4 truck pulling a trailer. Thousands of dollars in sheet metal were stolen during these incidents, and some property was also damaged.
Detectives are asking for the public’s help to solve this case. Anyone who can identify this man, or anyone with any knowledge of 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.
Concealed Handgun Course Slated for March 25, 2023
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced a Concealed Handgun Training Course will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the LPSO Shooting Range Facility located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. The class will begin at 8:00 a.m. and last until approximately 5:00 p.m. with a break for lunch. The actual ending time will vary due to class size.
The course will include the following:
- One hour of instruction on handgun nomenclature and safe handling procedures of a revolver and semi-automatic pistol.
- One hour of instruction on ammunition knowledge and fundamentals of pistol shooting.
- Three hours of instruction on the use of deadly force and conflict resolution. (Includes a review of R.S. 14:18 through 14:22 and which may include a review of any other laws relating to the use of deadly force)
- One hour of instruction on handgun shooting positions.
- One hour of instruction on child access prevention.
- Two hours of actual live range fire and proper handgun cleaning procedures. Live range fire shall include 12 rounds each at 5 feet, 10 feet, and 15 feet for a total of 36 rounds.
- Must perform at least one safe reload of the handgun at each distance.
- Must score 100% hits within the silhouette portion of an NRA B-27 type silhouette target with 36 rounds.
Participants will need to bring a handgun in good working condition, 50 rounds of ammunition for that handgun, eye protection (sunglasses or eyeglasses are sufficient), and ear protection (muffs or plugs).
The cost for the course is $110, and a special rate of $55 is offered for seniors (ages 60+). Online registration is required in advance due to the limited class size. This course is a pre-requisite for those applying for a Concealed Handgun Permit from the State of Louisiana. Go to LPSO.net/classes to register for this course online. For more information, please contact Captain Kevin Johnson at (985) 449-4481 or by email at kevin-johnson@lpso.net.
Convicted Felon with Active Warrants Caught with Firearm and Drugs on Traffic Stop
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a convicted felon who had active warrants was arrested on a traffic stop on Friday afternoon. Thomas Barker, 42, of Thibodaux was also found to have a firearm and drugs in his vehicle.
At around 1:30 p.m. on March 3, 2023, deputies in the Mathews area saw a man driving a red truck whom they recognized as Thomas Barker. Knowing Barker to have active warrants, deputies conducted a traffic stop on LA Highway 308. Deputies immediately took Thomas into custody without incident. Thomas admitted to possibly having drugs and paraphernalia inside the truck and consented to a search of the vehicle.
During the search, deputies found suspected drugs including several grams of methamphetamine and marijuana and several pills identified as clonazepam, Tramadol, and another drug only available by prescription. They also found a handgun and various drug paraphernalia.
Barker was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was booked on six outstanding warrants for contempt of court. He was also charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana, possession of a schedule IV controlled dangerous substance, possession of a legend drug without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm with an obliterated number, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance. Bail is set at $117,850.
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NOTE: Per Act 494 (effective June 2022), a mug shot cannot be released.
Golden Meadow Man Confesses to Sexual Battery
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Golden Meadow man has been arrested for oral sexual battery. Randy Terrebonne, 57, was arrested on Wednesday following a confession.
In late January 2023, juvenile detectives began investigating allegations that Terrebonne had sexually abused another man over the course of several years. During the course of the investigation, detectives discovered evidence of a sexual battery.
On Wednesday, March 1, detectives located Terrebonne and questioned him. During questioning, Terrebonne confessed to the crime.
Terrebonne was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with oral sexual battery. Bail is set at $100,000, and he is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.
Due to the nature of the allegations, no further information will be made available.
UPDATE: Child Victim Identified in Wednesday Evening Shooting Incident
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported additional details in the investigation of a child who died from a gunshot wound in Raceland on Wednesday evening. The victim has been identified as six-year-old Davonta “D.J.” Michel Jr. of Raceland. The investigation into the incident is continuing.
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, became unresponsive. CPR was administered on the scene, and the child was transported to a local hospital by ambulance 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.
The investigation is continuing. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services also responded to the scene. Lafourche Parish Public Schools Superintendent Jarod Martin announced that counseling services will be provided at Lockport Lower Elementary School where Michel had been attending first grade.
Deputies Respond to Child Death in Raceland
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a school-aged child has died after being shot on Wednesday evening. The shooting reportedly occurred as a result of two children playing with a loaded handgun.
At 7:45 p.m. on February 22, 2023, a man called 911 and reported a small child had been shot in Raceland. The child became unresponsive, and CPR was administered at the scene. The child was transported to a local hospital by ambulance where he was later pronounced dead.
The child was playing with his brother (near the same age). They were reportedly playing with a loaded handgun when the firearm discharged, striking the victim.
The investigation is ongoing. More information will be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
Sex Offender Sought for Using Tablet Computer to Record in Residential Bathroom
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced investigators are seeking a sex offender who used a tablet computer to shoot video inside a residential bathroom. Trey Rentrop, 32, of Raceland is wanted for video voyeurism and other charges.
On February 8, 2023, detectives opened an investigation after learning Rentrop was using a tablet computer to record videos inside a bathroom at a home in the central area of Lafourche Parish. The tablet was initially discovered over a hole in a ceiling above the bathroom where a woman lives with her children, two of which are juveniles. Detectives also found a rifle at the residence which was determined to belong to Rentrop.
Following the investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for Rentrop’s arrest on charges including video voyeurism and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He also has an outstanding warrant for failure to register as a sex offender in Assumption Parish.
Anyone with information on Trey Rentrop’s whereabouts 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.
RUNAWAY TEEN: Blaze Crochet
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 15-year-old Blaze Crochet of Erika Drive in Thibodaux. He was last seen at around 11 a.m. on February 11, 2023, at his residence. He reportedly left his residence to go to a parade in Houma.
Blaze Crochet is described as 5’7” tall, weighing approximately 170 pounds with brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.
