Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Thibodaux High School Student Found with More Than a Pound of Marijuana

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Lafourche Parish Schools Superintendent Jarod Martin announced a Thibodaux High School student has been arrested after more than one pound of suspected marijuana was found in his vehicle parked at the school. Andrew Nora, 18, of Thibodaux was arrested on Monday.

On March 28, 2022, K-9 units from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office and Thibodaux Police Department arrived at Thibodaux High School to conduct a routine search of the parking areas around the school. During the search, a K-9 alerted to the possible presence of narcotics inside a vehicle, the driver of which was identified as Nora. Nora unlocked his vehicle for school administrators who located a backpack containing a large amount of suspected marijuana. Deputies took over the investigation and located an additional backpack containing more suspected marijuana as well as other items commonly associated with the sale of illegal narcotics. In all, Nora was found to be in possession of 524.7 grams of suspected marijuana, or just over 1.15 pounds. He was also found with $350 in cash and ammunition for a 9mm firearm, including a drum-style magazine.

Nora was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and violation of a drug-free zone. He was released on Monday afternoon after posting bail in the amount of $6,100.

Superintendent Martin said, “The Lafourche Parish School Districts’ partnership with our local law enforcement allows us to identify and remove anyone that violates the law while on campus. We will continue to actively investigate and discipline anyone found to be in violation of the law or our standards of conduct. We are committed to ensuring that our schools always remain places where all students feel safe and welcome.”

Three Arrested after Investigators Recover 125 Stolen Catalytic Converters

Sheriff Craig Webre announced three arrests have been made in a string of catalytic converter thefts throughout Lafourche Parish. Investigators arrested Jose Elizondo-Villarreal, 54, of Thibodaux, Steven Sparks Jr., 37, of Raceland, and Percy Calloway Jr., 31, also of Raceland. Investigators also recovered 125 catalytic converters, many of which are believed to have been stolen.

In February 2022, members of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division were assigned to investigate a number of catalytic converter thefts throughout the parish. Investigators learned Sparks and Calloway were stealing catalytic converters and selling them to Elizondo-Villarreal who was providing cash for the items without questioning origin or keeping proper records of sales.

On March 21, 2022, investigators saw Sparks walking away from a white box truck on LA Highway 1 in Thibodaux, and they made contact with him. They found him to have three catalytic converters which had been cut from vehicles, along with reciprocating saws, saw blades, car jacks, and several small bags of methamphetamine. They learned Sparks had stolen dozens of catalytic converters and sold them for cash to Elizondo-Villarreal.

With the assistance of the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the Louisiana State Police, investigators conducted a search of Elizondo-Villarreal’s business and its transactions. They found him in possession of 122 catalytic converters, many of which are believed to have been stolen.

Elizondo-Villarreal was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with two counts of Felony Illegal Possession of Stolen Things and failure to keep proper receipts of business transactions (LA R.S. 37:1864). He was released on March 24, 2022, after posting bail in the amount of $200,000.

Sparks was arrested and booked on charges including Felony Illegal Possession of Stolen Things, Possession of Tools for a Crime, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Attempted Felony Theft, Theft, and Criminal Trespassing. He remains at the Correctional Complex with bail is set at $137,500.

Calloway had been in jail since March 5, 2022, when he was booked on contempt charges and protective order violations, as well as property damage in Patterson. On March 25, he was additionally booked with Theft and Criminal Trespassing. His bail is set at $128,500, and he is also being held for the Patterson Police Department.

The case remains under investigation and additional arrests are possible.

Thefts of catalytic converters have been on the rise worldwide in recent years due to the value of the precious metals inside. Because criminals must crawl under a vehicle to saw off a catalytic converter, pickup trucks, box trucks, vans and SUVs that sit higher off the ground are targeted more often. Hybrid and electric vehicles are also targeted due to the amount of metals inside. Owners are encouraged to park vehicles in garages, secure areas, or well-lit areas whenever possible. Utilizing surveillance cameras can also help deter theft.

2021 Tax Notices Sent to Property Owners with Payment Due May 31, 2022

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has sent out tax notices to property owners in Lafourche Parish. This notice is the 2021 tax bill that is normally sent in the fourth quarter of the year but was delayed due to Hurricane Ida. Payments can be made online, by phone, by mail, or in person. All 2021 property tax payments are due in full by May 31, 2022.

A total of 42,388 tax notices were sent to property owners, and $89,655,190.93 is now due. These taxes help fund all aspects of public service in the parish such as roads, drainage, levees, law enforcement, fire departments, hospitals, ambulance services, schools, and recreation. An additional 29,301 properties are homestead exempt, and no taxes are owed. An increase in tax notices is due to the addition of collecting property taxes for the Town of Golden Meadow.

Payments can be made online, by mail, over the phone, or in person. Sheriff Webre strongly encourages payments to be made online or by mail to avoid wait times.

A QR code appears on all tax notices that can be scanned using a smartphone camera to go to the online tax payment website: LPSO.net/PayMyTaxes. Payments can be made over the phone by calling (985) 449-4430, and select option one for the payment center. Payments can also be mailed using the envelope provided which will be sent to an out-of-state processing center for faster processing addressed to Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, P.O. Box 669227, Dallas, TX 75266-9227. Taxes can be paid in person by check, money order or cash at the LPSO Administrative Office (200 Canal Boulevard, Thibodaux) and at the South Lafourche Substation (102 West 91st Street, Cut Off).

Any unpaid taxes become delinquent on June 1, 2022. Per state law, delinquent taxes accrue interest at a rate of 1% per month until paid and will be subject to additional costs associated with the tax sale. If the property is sold at the tax sale, the property owner will have to reapply for homestead exemption at the Assessor’s Office. Property sold at the tax sale may be redeemed up to three years from the date the property is sold, but per state law, a 5% penalty will apply, as well as, a monthly interest rate of 1%. Additionally, all costs associated with the delinquent tax process must be paid. The owner must contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office to redeem the property.

Any unpaid taxes on movable/inventory property may cause the property in question to be seized and sold at auction.

The current property owner is responsible for all taxes due. Anyone who purchased property in 2021 may not receive a tax bill due to it being sent to the previous owner. Homeowners with mortgages should check with their mortgage company before making a payment as those companies generally collect escrow and pay property taxes on behalf of the property owner. Please check whether your mortgage company will make your tax payment before you make a separate payment directly to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Beginning in January, the Lafourche Parish Assessor’s Office sent a letter to property owners with an estimate of their taxes owed. This was due to a mandatory reassessment after Hurricane Ida. Questions regarding property assessment or ownership should be directed to the Lafourche Parish Assessor’s Office at (985) 447-7242.

Beginning this year, tax notices will also include any money owed as a result of a lien placed on the property by Lafourche Parish Government. This could be as a result of grass abatement, demolition, or other work done on the property by Lafourche Parish Government or its contractors. Questions about these charges should be directed to Lafourche Parish Government by calling (985) 532-6229.

For more information about making tax payments, property owners can contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Tax Section at (985) 449-4430 or visit LPSO.net/PayMyTaxes where you can view the amount due, print a receipt or make a payment.

Man Sought in Overnight Shooting in Choctaw

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a man is being sought in connection to an overnight shooting in Choctaw. Detectives are searching for Robert Fessler, 33, who is facing a charge of Aggravated Second Degree Battery in the incident.

At 11:55 p.m. on March 22, 2022, deputies received a call of gunshots heard in the 3100 block of Choctaw Road. Moments later, deputies received another call reporting a man had been shot. When deputies arrived, they found a 50-year-old man had been shot in the arm. The victim was transported to a local hospital, and his injury is not life-threatening.

Investigators learned Fessler and his wife were living in a trailer and were recently served with an eviction notice. On Tuesday night, the owner went to check on the property and found they were still at the residence. Fessler got into an argument with the owner, and he eventually pulled out a gun. Fessler reportedly fired several rounds, one of which struck the property owner in the arm. Fessler and his wife then left the area.

Detectives have obtained a warrant for Fessler for Aggravated Second Degree Battery. He was last seen driving a white Dodge Durango with no license plate. Anyone with information on 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.

Man Arrested Following Shooting Incident Early Thursday Morning

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Thibodaux man has been arrested in connection to a shooting incident that took place early Thursday morning. Christopher Martinez, 40, of Thibodaux is charged with aggravated second degree battery and two counts of aggravated assault in the incident.

Just after 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 17, deputies responded to the area near the intersection of Burma Road and Lefort Bypass Road in Thibodaux where a man riding an ATV had been shot. The man had a bullet wound to the shoulder that was not life-threatening.

While on scene, deputies heard several gunshots nearby and took cover. Deputies then noticed movement at a nearby residence and the lights turn off. They identified the homeowner as Christopher Martinez, and he agreed to meet with deputies, initially denying any involvement in the shooting.

After further investigation, deputies obtained a search warrant for his residence and discovered several bullet casings and live rounds in the driveway of the residence. They also located a rifle inside the home. During questioning, Martinez said he was annoyed at the noise caused by the ATVs, and he admitted to shooting in their direction, claiming he meant it as a warning. He also admitted to firing additional rounds into the air which occurred after deputies were on scene.

Martinez was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. He was charged with Aggravated Second Degree Battery and two counts of Aggravated Assault. Bail is set at $200,000.

Local Family Donates German Shepherd for K-9 Section

From left to right: Sergeant Charles Thomas, K-9 Athena, Joie Francise, Kathy Francise, and Jamie Francise. — *From left to right: Sergeant Charles Thomas, K-9 Athena, Jolie Francise, Kathy Francise, and Jamie Francise.*

Sheriff Craig Webre announced a family from Gray, Louisiana, has donated a six-month-old German shepherd to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office for use in the K-9 section.

“We are excited to welcome K-9 Athena to the LPSO family,” said Sheriff Webre. “We are very grateful to the Francise family for their generous donation.”

Jamie and Kathy Francise acquired the German shepherd as a gift for their daughter, Jolie. They later discovered Jolie to have an allergy to the pet. In trying to determine their best course of action at that point, they ultimately opted to donate the dog to the sheriff’s office.

The Francise family had named the dog “Athena” for the Greek goddess of wisdom and war. In donating Athena to the sheriff’s office, they only requested that she would keep the same name. In doing so, they pointed out that the Greek goddess Athena was often portrayed as a companion of heroes and is the patron goddess of heroic endeavor.

K-9 section supervisor, Sergeant Charles Thomas, has been assigned as K-9 Athena’s handler, and her training has already commenced.

Rape Aggression Defense Course to be Held in Thibodaux in April

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course on April 18-20, 2022, at the LPSO Law Enforcement Complex located at 1300 Lynn Street in Thibodaux.

This self-defense course is designed exclusively for women and 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, 2022, at 11 a.m.

For more information, please call Lucie Morvant at (985) 446-2367 or email Lieutenant Kevin Johnson at kevin-johnson@lpso.net.

LPSO Sergeant Receives Heart of Law Enforcement Award

Pictured from L to R: Deputy Emanuel Johnson, Sheriff Craig Webre, Sergeant Keniyelle Frank, Major Renee Brinkley, Major Lafate Day, and Lieutenant Kevin Johnson. — *Pictured from left to right: Deputy Emanuel Johnson, Sheriff Craig Webre, Sergeant Keniyelle Frank, Major Renee Brinkley, Major Lafate Day, and Lieutenant Kevin Johnson.*

Sheriff Craig Webre announced a member of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office was recognized at a statewide award ceremony on Tuesday. Sergeant Keniyelle “Nikki” Frank was honored with a Heart of Law Enforcement Award, presented by the Beyond the Badge organization, in a ceremony in Baton Rouge on Tuesday. A total of 15 officers from 11 agencies across the state were honored at the event.

Sergeant Frank received the Service Before Self award, given to officers whose act of kindness stands out in the field of nominees. Specifically, she was recognized for her work with the Beyond the Bell program and its fundraising organization, Friends of Beyond the Bell, for which she currently serves as President. She has been a part of the program since its inception in January 2015. The program is based at the Reverend Lloyd Wallace Community Center in Raceland.

As part of her role in the Community-Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving Section, she is responsible for keeping communities safe and being a positive role model for the children that reside in her area. Sergeant Frank sees herself as a deputy that can bridge the gap between community and law enforcement, and it’s her lifelong dream to help others.

Sheriff Craig Webre said, “Sergeant Frank continues to be an outstanding member of our organization. She truly shines in her work with Beyond the Bell, and she is an excellent role model for the children of our community. I congratulate her on this esteemed honor.”

The annual ceremony, held on March 8, 2022, was attended by more than 200 guests, including state elected officials and area police chiefs and sheriffs. Honorary Event Chair Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser gave brief remarks, and actor John Schneider of The Dukes of Hazzard and The Haves and Have Nots was the keynote speaker for the event.

Beyond the Badge was incorporated in April of 2016 and is operated entirely by citizen volunteers and funded by corporate and private donations. Baton Rouge resident Linda Hull created the non-profit organization to recognize law enforcement officers for acts of kindness that go beyond their duties.

Sergeant Frank is the second member of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office to receive a Heart of Law Enforcement Award. Major Cortrell Davis was honored with the award in 2018.

“At a time when there is so much negative attention directed toward law enforcement in general, I thought someone needed to honor all the officers who go beyond the call of duty. We need to let the public know about their acts of kindness and generosity,” Hull said.

Nominations of officers for Beyond the Badge’s Heart of Law Enforcement award can be made throughout the year. Members of the general public or law enforcement agencies can submit nominations online at BeyondTheBadgeLouisiana.org. Nominations are accepted until January 31 for acts performed during the previous calendar year.

Concealed Handgun Course Scheduled for March 26, 2022

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced a Concealed Handgun Training Course will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, 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 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 Lieutenant Kevin Johnson at (985) 449-4481 or by email at kevin-johnson@lpso.net.

Please note that due to damage from Hurricane Ida, the shooting range itself remains closed to the public for individual shooting.

Two Men Charged after Found Trespassing in Chackbay with Firearms

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced two Thibodaux men face charges after they were found walking in a Chackbay subdivision carrying firearms. Deputies charged Patrick Foust, 34, and Brandon Benoit, 36, who was also charged with drug possession.

Just after 7:15 a.m. on Monday, March 7, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of two men walking with firearms in the area of the 400 block of Dogwood Drive in the Sugar Ridge West subdivision in Chackbay. A local resident disarmed the men and held them at gunpoint until deputies arrived.

Deputies learned the two subjects had been riding in Foust’s truck in a field behind the subdivision when they got stuck in the mud. The two men then began walking from the vehicle carrying four firearms, two of which Foust had concealed on his person without a permit. Deputies also discovered Benoit had suspected methamphetamine in his possession.

Benoit was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Criminal Trespassing. Foust was charged with Criminal Trespassing and Illegal Carrying of Weapons.