News Blog

RUNAWAY TEENS: Liam & Charles Murley

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating two brothers from Delatte Lane in Gheens who ran away from home overnight. Liam Murley, 15, and Charles Murley, 13, were last seen at their residence at approximately 10:30 p.m. on September 23, 2021.

Liam Murley is described as 5’7” tall, weighing approximately 140 pounds with blond hair. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and white Adidas pants.

Charles Murley is described as 5’6” tall, weighing approximately 170 pounds with blond hair. He was last seen wearing black Adidas pants.d

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.

Liam & Charles Murley
Liam & Charles Murley

Detectives Seek to Identify Truck Owner in Looting Investigation

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in identifying a vehicle owner wanted for questioning in reference to a looting investigation.

On September 20, 2021, deputies responded to the 100 block of Buford Street in Raceland. A property owner reported three metal canopies and a metal chair had been stolen from the side of a building. Surveillance cameras captured an image of a Dodge Ram 1500 truck and trailer into which the items were loaded and hauled away just after 1 p.m. on September 17, 2021.

Detectives are asking the public for help in identifying this truck owner. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433, online at www.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.

Dodge Truck And Trailer
Dodge Truck And Trailer

Sheriff Webre Warns about Stealing Electrical Wire and Associated Components

As utility workers continue to repair power lines in the wake of Hurricane Ida, Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is reminding everyone that electrical wire and associated components are not considered trash, debris or abandoned property, and taking such items is illegal. There has recently been an uptick in such complaints wherein individuals were stealing electrical wire which will be picked up later by local utility companies.

“Electrical wire and similar hardware belong to Entergy, SLECA and their partners who will be picking up those items,” said Sheriff Webre. “Anyone taking these items will be investigated for theft.”

Most properties in Lafourche Parish have trash and debris at the roadside. While most of these items may be considered “trash” or “abandoned,” electrical wire and associated hardware is not. Sheriff Webre also cautions anyone taking items placed at the roadside to avoid entering onto someone’s property to retrieve such items.

“We’re urging ‘pickers’ to err on the side of caution,” said Sheriff Webre. “Items in debris piles at the roadside are one thing, but you should not be entering onto someone’s property to retrieve any items.”

There is no way of knowing if a downed power line may still be energized. Treat them with respect to avoid being electrocuted. Report downed lines immediately to Entergy at 1-800-9OUTAGE (1-800-968-8243) or SLECA at (985) 876-6880, depending on your utility service provider. You should also contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office or your local fire department.

Nightly Curfew Lifted for Parts of Lafourche Parish

Per Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson and Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre, the nightly curfew in Lafourche has been lifted for all areas north of the Intracoastal Canal in Larose.

A 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew REMAINS in effect for all areas south of the Intracoastal Canal in Larose.

Officials will continue to monitor power restoration and lift the curfew for additional areas as power is restored.

Local Church Helps Deputies in Need after Hurricane Ida

From L to R: Pastor Whitney Alexander, Detective Brandon Queen, Rev. Dr. Dean Weaver, and Pastor Bill Crawford - all members of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
From L to R: Pastor Whitney Alexander, Detective Brandon Queen, Rev. Dr. Dean Weaver, and Pastor Bill Crawford – all members of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Deputies Association acquired several generators and air conditioners for deputies in need following the destruction of Hurricane Ida. The generators were acquired with assistance from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Thibodaux.

When Hurricane Ida struck the area, the Lafourche Deputies Association board of directors set out to start assisting its members with supplies needed to sustain themselves in order for them to continue to carry out Sheriff Craig Webre’s motto of doing “Whatever it takes to properly serve the public.”

Initially, the first immediate need was to purchase personal coolers for deputies on patrol in order to keep water cold. As the recovery efforts continued, Lafourche Deputies Association President Brandon Queen worked with the board to acquire several generators and air conditioning units for deputies that had significant damage to their homes. The association partnered with Evangelical Presbyterian Church in this endeavor and acquired the generators.

Rev. Dr. Dean Weaver, denomination leader of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church said, “I want to help the people that are helping others.” Immediately after Hurricane Ida made landfall, he began working with Pastor Bill Crawford, who pastors two churches in the area, to start relief work. Once they established the needs of the community, Rev. Dr. Weaver began working with Queen, who attends the church, to help tend to the needs of law enforcement.

Queen, who works as a juvenile detective at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, stated, “My co-workers cannot go without the essentials. This is just another way the Lafourche Deputies Association is serving its members. What greater joy is it than to serve our brothers and sisters in blue through the loving-kindness of a local church.”

Thirteen Arrests Made Overnight in Lafourche Parish

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced 13 people were arrested overnight in Lafourche Parish.  This comes as patrol efforts have increased in the past week due to numerous law enforcement agencies assisting in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.

“We are seeing a lot of drug arrests,” said Sheriff Webre. “Our officers are using discretion when enforcing the curfew, but arrests typically come when someone is caught out after curfew with drugs or begins fighting with or resisting deputies.”

The following individuals were arrested during the patrol night shift which began at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 8 through 5 a.m. on Thursday, September 9.

  • Blake Anthony, 25, of Albany – obstruction of justice, disturbing the peace, possession of drug paraphernalia, curfew violation;
  • Richard Barrio Jr., 64, of Thibodaux – aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon;
  • Dallas Bruce, 27, of Cut Off – trespassing, unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling, resisting an officer;
  • Michael Daigle, 60, of Thibodaux – possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, improper vehicle lighting, curfew violation;
  • David Dennis, 57, of Cut Off – possession of crack cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, open container in a motor vehicle, curfew violation;
  • Jessica Domangue, 36, of Lockport – driving under suspension, expired registration, curfew violation, five contempt warrants;
  • Tally Dufrene, 24, of Raceland – possession of meth, heroin and marijuana, curfew violation, and contempt warrant;
  • Stacy Hernandez, 57, of Cut Off – possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, curfew violation;
  • Rogelio Ledezma, 26, of Larose – repeated curfew violations;
  • Sandra Leger, 57 of Cut Off – possession of heroin, hydrocodone, and drug paraphernalia, improper lane usage, curfew violation;
  • Chantelle Smith, 40, of Galliano – possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under suspension, curfew violation; and
  • Kevin Williams, 20, of Larose – possession of cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, curfew violation.

Additionally, Edy Herrera, 50, was cited for a curfew violation and an open container in a motor vehicle.

“If you’ve been thinking about turning to a life of crime, this is certainly not the time,” said Sheriff Webre. “With the amount of additional law enforcement officers in this parish, we have been able to step up patrols efforts and catch violators with greater ease. We are sincerely grateful for all the assistance.”

Since Hurricane Ida struck on August 29, 2021,  68 people have been charged, and three of those individuals were arrested twice. Four people have been arrested for looting. Additionally, there have been 48 people charged with curfew violations, 30 drug arrests, and 12 people charged with various types of battery.

Sheriff Webre Shares Details of Arrests Since Hurricane Ida

Sheriff Craig Webre announced 48 individuals have been arrested/charged in Lafourche Parish since Hurricane Ida Struck on August 29, 2021. This includes three arrests for looting.

“Our community has come together like never before as we recover from this powerful storm,” said Sheriff Webre. “Still, there are always those criminals who see disasters as an opportunity to steal. Our deputy shifts are supplemented by dozens of officers from across the state and the country, and we will continue to protect property, especially at night. If you are caught looting, you WILL be arrested.”

Additionally, 14 people were charged with drug possession, two were charged with theft, and ten were charged with battery, including two people charged with battery of a peace officer.

A total of 29 people have been charged for violating the 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew. Sheriff Webre said deputies are using discretion when encountering people during these times. “If you’re out after curfew, you will be stopped,” said Sheriff Webre. “Our deputies will be understanding depending on the circumstances, especially if it’s an emergency, but anyone out after curfew is subject to be charged accordingly.”

Citizens are reminded that 911 and LPSO dispatch lines are still down. Please continue to use the emergency lines to contact us at (985) 772-4810 or (985) 772-4824.

Lafourche Parish Officials Announce Creation of Contractor Fraud Response Team

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

As people begin to clean up their property and rebuild, we want to send a clear message to anyone seeking to take advantage of our citizens,” said Sheriff Webre. “Together, we will pursue, arrest and prosecute anyone committing contractor fraud in Lafourche Parish.”

A hotline has been established to report contractor fraud in Lafourche Parish. If you are a victim of contractor fraud, please call (985) 413-4498. Please leave a message with your name and contact information if there is no answer (due to service issues).

While the Contractor Fraud Response Team will investigate cases of fraud, prevention is also just as important. Citizens should check references and ensure the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured. Citizens who use an unlicensed contractor do so at their own risk of liability, no warranty, and no recourse for substandard work.

Any contractor working in Lafourche Parish MUST have an occupational license. Those can be obtained at the Lafourche Parish Mathews Government Complex, 4876 Highway 1 in Mathews. Contractors can begin the process by downloading a form online at lafourchegov.org/economic-development.

Citizens should also be alert to the warning signs of common contractor scams, such as door-to-door solicitations, demands for cash, unusually large down payments, no references, no permanent address, high-pressure sales or scare tactics, no insurance, or license, or no contract. If there is any concern, citizens are encouraged to photograph the contractor’s representative, vehicle, and license plate.

“As we begin to rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, we want to send a very clear message to those who would take advantage of our community in this vulnerable state – you will not go unchecked, and you will be prosecuted,” said District Attorney Russell.

Officials urge citizens to report suspected fraud even if they are unsure whether actual criminal fraud has been committed, or if it is a civil matter. All reports will be fully investigated.

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