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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
UPDATE: Johnta Robertson has been found and is safe.
ORIGINAL RELEASE:
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 14-year-old Johnta Robertson of Thibodaux, LA. He was last seen leaving the Abby neighborhood area on March 3, 2022, at 1:00 PM.
Johnta Robertson is described as 5’0 tall, weighing approximately 145 pounds with black hair. He was last seen wearing a gray t-shirt and white tennis shoes. The young man also has small braids in his 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 two men have been arrested after agents found approximately ten pounds of methamphetamine at a Lockport residence. Felipe Moreno, 45, of Lockport and Omar Mendez, 30, of Coachella, California, were arrested this week.
Through investigation, narcotics agents had obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 1000 block of Barataria Street in Lockport. On February 22, 2022, with the assistance of Louisiana State Police and Louisiana Probation and Parole, agents proceeded to the residence. During the search, agents located approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine. Based on their findings, agents were able to obtain arrest warrants for Moreno and Mendez.
Later that day, agents located Moreno at a residence in Raceland, and he was taken into custody for Principal to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Criminal Conspiracy. He was subsequently booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. Bail is set at $300,000. He is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.
On February 24, 2022, with the assistance of the Plaquemine Parish Sheriff’s Office, agents located Mendez at a location in Venice, and he was arrested. He was initially booked in Plaquemine Parish before being transferred to Lafourche. He is also charged with Principal to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Criminal Conspiracy. Bail is set at $300,000, and he is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.
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.
K 9 Siren With Meth SeizureFelipe MorenoOmar Mendez
Sheriff Craig Webre announced narcotics agents arrested a Raceland couple after saving the life of a man who was overdosing in their driveway. Jai Demere, 39, and Erin Bland, 39, were arrested on Tuesday.
Through investigation, narcotics agents learned of illegal drug activity at Demere and Bland’s residence on Adams Street in Raceland. Agents were familiar with both and knew Bland had active warrants.
On February 22, 2022, narcotics agents proceeded to the residence with assistance from Louisiana Probation and Parole agents in an attempt to locate Bland. When they arrived, they found Bland and Demere standing outside a vehicle parked in the driveway. A male passenger in the vehicle appeared to be passed out and showing signs of a possible opioid overdose. Agents administered Narcan to the man, and he began breathing normally.
While questioning Demere and Bland, agents learned of illegal items inside their residence and obtained a search warrant. During a search of the residence, agents found suspected heroin and various items associated with the sale and use of illegal narcotics.
Demere and Bland were both placed under arrest and transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex for booking. Both were charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bail for Demere is set at $100,100. Bland was additionally booked on the aforementioned warrants for contempt of court, and her bail is set at $15,100.
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 is asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old Madison Salvadore of Crescent Avenue in Lockport. She was last seen leaving Central Lafourche High School after school hours. Detectives learned at approximately 5:30PM, the juvenile was reportedly dropped off at a Burger King in Houma near the parade route.
Madison Salvadore is described as 5’6” tall, weighing approximately 190 pounds with brown hair. She was last seen wearing khaki pants, a white shirt and gray pullover sweatshirt. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.
