Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

UPDATE: Chase Cheramie turned himself in. He is in custody.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced investigators are seeking the public’s help in locating a Galliano man wanted for video voyeurism. Chase Cheramie, 37, is wanted for installing a camera in a bathroom vent in a home where he was working as a contractor.

Last week, deputies responded to a Larose residence where a camera had been discovered in a bathroom. A resident found the camera in a vent in the bathroom. Deputies secured the camera which had a red light signifying that it was still possibly recording. Deputies learned Chase Cheramie had been working as a contractor at the residence for several months repairing damage from Hurricane Ida. Cheramie had mostly been working alone. During initial questioning, though, Cheramie denied any knowledge of the camera.

Detectives downloaded the contents of an SD card on the camera and found images of Cheramie installing the camera. They also found the camera had captured images of three people, two of which appear to be juveniles.

Chase Cheramie is wanted for three counts of Video Voyeurism with a bail amount set at $75,000. Anyone with any knowledge of his whereabouts can submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region 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.

Additionally, detectives are encouraging anyone who had Cheramie perform work in their residence to search for similar devices or anything suspicious. Please contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (985) 532-4320 to report any findings and to assist with searching the residence.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced an investigation into an overdose death has led to the arrest of a heroin dealer in Bayou Blue. Christopher Seely, 39, was arrested and could face additional charges as the investigation continues.

On June 8, 2022, detectives and narcotics agents responded to Mary Beth Avenue in Bayou Blue to investigate an overdose death. At the scene, investigators were able to collect a syringe and plastic bag containing suspected heroin. Through investigation, they learned the heroin had likely been purchased from Christopher Seely.

Agents obtained a search warrant for Seely’s residence. When they arrived, they made contact with Seely. During the search, they found approximately 2.5 grams of suspected heroin and various items commonly associated with the sale of illegal narcotics. During questioning, Seely admitted to selling heroin to several individuals, including the individual that died due to overdose.

Seely was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on charges including Distribution of Heroin, Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bail is set at $176,000. He is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.

The investigation into the overdose death is continuing, and Seely could face additional charges.

Citizens are reminded that they can report any drug-related or suspicious activity. Information can be reported directly to the Narcotics section commander, Lieutenant Derek Champagne, at (985) 532-4365 or derek-champagne@lpso.net. Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices.

Christopher Seely

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced narcotics agents arrested a man they found with drugs after he led them on a pursuit from the Lockport area to Larose. Jarrid Hester, 42, was arrested on Wednesday. Agents had been investigating Hester and his involvement with the sale of narcotics out of a residential camper located on East 23rd Street in Larose.

On June 8, 2022, agents located Hester traveling south in his truck on LA 308 just south of Lockport and attempted to conduct a stop for a traffic violation. Hester refused to stop. As he continued driving, he threw objects out of the passenger side window. As Hester reached the Larose area, he turned onto the T-Bois Lift Bridge in Larose and then turned south onto LA 1 where additional deputies followed him and attempted to conduct the traffic stop. Hester continued south on LA 1, turning right on LA 657 where he eventually stopped his truck. He was taken into custody without further incident. A K-9 unit at the scene alerted to the possible presence of narcotics inside Hester’s vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, agents located a small amount of crack cocaine.

Agents then obtained a search warrant for Hester’s residence. Inside the residence, they found suspected cocaine and items commonly associated with the production and distribution of crack cocaine, including a white substance in a blender. Agents conducted a presumptive field test on the substance which showed a positive result for the presence of cocaine.

Hester was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Crack Cocaine, Production/Manufacture of Cocaine or Cocaine Base, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Flight from an Officer, Obstruction of Justice, Reckless Operation, and improper lane usage. Bail is set at $165,000.

Citizens are reminded that they can report any drug-related or suspicious activity. Information can be reported directly to the Narcotics section commander, Lieutenant Derek Champagne, at (985) 532-4365 or derek-champagne@lpso.net. Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced narcotics agents arrested a Larose drug dealer and his associate this week. Craig Theriot, 44, of Larose was arrested on Monday while his associate, Jerilyn Truxillo, 38, of Lockport, was arrested on Tuesday.

Through investigation, agents obtained warrants on Craig Theriot and Jerilyn Truxillo in connection with the sale of methamphetamine. On June 6, 2022, agents made contact with Theriot during a traffic stop as he was driving on U.S. 90 in Raceland. Theriot was placed under arrest. After admitting to having methamphetamine in his possession, agents located approximately four ounces of suspected methamphetamine on his person. Theriot also consented to a search of his residence where agents found drug paraphernalia. Theriot was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux on the active warrants for two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine. He was additionally charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bail is set at $195,000.

Then, on June 7, 2022, agents located Truxillo at Theriot’s residence. Truxillo was arrested and booked into the Correctional Complex on warrants for Distribution of Methamphetamine, Principal to Distribution of Methamphetamine, and Illegal Use of a Controlled Dangerous Substance in the Presence of Persons under 17. Her bail is set at $51,000.

Citizens are reminded that they can report any drug-related or suspicious activity. Information can be reported directly to the Narcotics section commander, Lieutenant Derek Champagne, at (985) 532-4365 or derek-champagne@lpso.net. Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced two men face gun charges following a traffic stop in Thibodaux. Danamonte Fulwiley, 18, and Verontae Johnson, 20, both of Thibodaux, were arrested after the incident on Saturday.

At 4 p.m. on June 4, 2022, deputies and narcotics agents attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a car traveling on Ridgefield Road in Thibodaux. The driver of the car, later identified as Fulwiley, refused to stop and began throwing items out of the window. Fulwiley turned right onto Ridgeway Street and ultimately stopped the vehicle in the 200 block of Ridgeway Street. At that time, he and a passenger, later identified as Johnson, exited the car and began running in different directions. Deputies and agents saw both individuals reach into their waistbands for what were believed to be weapons. After a brief pursuit, both were taken into custody. Johnson was found to have been in possession of an AK-47 with the serial number painted over. Fulwiley had been in possession of a handgun which was reported stolen in Terrebonne Parish. Additionally, Fulwiley admitted he had thrown marijuana out of the vehicle prior to stopping.

Both were placed under arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. Fulwiley was charged with Flight from an Officer, Resisting an Officer, Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Illegal Carrying of a Weapon, and Obstruction of Justice. His bail is set at $110,000. Johnson was charged with Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number, Illegal Carrying of a Weapon and Resisting an Officer, and his bail is set at $100,000.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre two women were arrested on Friday after they were caught stealing items from a Galliano hotel that had suffered significant damage from Hurricane Ida in 2021. Dana Chouest, 58, of Golden Meadow and Dena Leboeuf, 46, of Galliano were each charged with looting.

At around 10:40 a.m. on June 3, 2022, deputies responded to the site of a Galliano hotel which had been closed since August 2021 due to damage from Hurricane Ida. The owner had reported that two women were inside the hotel stealing items. Prior to arriving at the hotel, deputies learned the women had left the area. An officer with the Golden Meadow Police Department located the women and made contact with them. Deputies arrived and questioned the woman about the incident, and they admitted to going into the hotel looking for items to take.

Chouest and Leboeuf were booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. Because the hotel cannot be secured due to significant damage from the hurricane, the women were each charged with one count of Looting. Bail is set at $5,000 for Chouest. Leboeuf’s bail is set at $10,000.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Cut Off man has been charged with sex crimes involving a teenage girl. Ralph Cheramie Jr., 62, was arrested on Tuesday. The crimes took place nearly 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 for his arrest.

Investigators contacted Cheramie on May 31, 2022, and he was arrested. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on the warrants for charges including two counts of Oral Sexual Battery, Sexual Battery, and Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile. Bail is set at $300,000.

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.

Ralph Cheramie Jr