MISSING PERSON: Lilath “Vilah” Ratsabouth

UPDATE: Ratsabouth has been found and is safe.

ORIGINAL POST:

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 45-year-old Lilath “Vilah” Ratsabouth of Cut Off. She was last known to be in East Baton Rouge on July 20, 2024. Her family contacted the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office this week after becoming concerned about not having heard from her for some time.  Detectives followed up with an investigation, including with authorities in East Baton Rouge Parish, but they have been unable to locate her.  

Ratsabouth is described as 5’4″ tall, weighing approximately 140 pounds with brown hair. Anyone with information on his/her whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.

Lilath Ratsabouth
Lilath Ratsabouth

Cut Off Couple Charged with Rape and Possession of Child Porn, Weapons and Drugs

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a husband and wife from Cut Off for rape, child porn, weapons, and drug charges. Jorden Theriot, 34, and Jennie Theriot, 33, both convicted felons, were arrested in connection with the investigation.

In mid-July 2024, juvenile detectives began investigating a report of possible sexual abuse involving the Theriots and more than one child. Both were allegedly involved in sexual acts with children. During the course of the investigation, detectives obtained search warrants for two residences. During the search, they found 14 firearms with a large amount of ammunition. They also found several types of narcotics as well as additional evidence in the investigation. The Theriots were arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux.

Jorden Theriot was charged with two counts of first degree rape, pornography involving juveniles, 14 counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, obstruction of justice, possession of Valium, possession of Xanax, possession of morphine, and possession of marijuana. Bail is set at $820,500.

Jennie Theriot was charged with two counts of principal to first degree rape, pornography involving juveniles, indecent behavior with juveniles, 14 counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, obstruction of justice, possession of Valium, possession of Xanax, possession of morphine, and possession of marijuana. Bail is set at $1,245,500, and she is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole due to a probation violation.

This investigation is continuing. Due to the nature of the investigation, no further information is available at this time.

Jennie Theriot Jennie Theriot
Jorden Theriot Jorden Theriot
Seized Items Seized Items

Seat Belt & DWI Checkpoints Planned for July 29, 2024

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct a seat belt checkpoint and a DWI checkpoint on July 29, 2024, in Lafourche Parish. These checkpoints are designed to help raise awareness for these types of violations and make the highways of the parish safer for all motorists.

The seat belt checkpoint will be conducted Monday evening, and deputies will focus on checking motorists for seat belts and child safety seat violations. The DWI checkpoint will begin Monday evening following the seat belt checkpoint and will continue into the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 30, 2024. During the DWI checkpoint, deputies will be looking for drivers who are possibly impaired while checking for other traffic safety issues.

Sheriff Webre reminds citizens to designate a driver if they are going to drink. Motorists suspected of DWI who refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test will lose their driver’s license for one year (first offense). For a second offense, the penalty increases to two years. Anyone convicted of a DWI offense while their driver’s license is suspended because of another DWI offense will face automatic prison time. Lafourche Parish is also a “No Refusal” parish, meaning if a suspected drunk driver refuses a breathalyzer test, deputies will seek a search warrant to have that person’s blood tested.

Seven People Charged in Narcotics Investigation in Thibodaux

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced seven people have been charged after narcotics agents found drugs at two Thibodaux residences. All face drug-related charges.

Narcotics agents recently began investigating illegal narcotics activity on North Hidalgo Lane in Thibodaux after receiving intelligence about residences on the street. Agents identified two residences in the 1800 block that were believed to be involved with drug activity. Through investigation, they learned some of the individuals involved were either on probation or parole.

On July 23, 2024, narcotics agents assisted agents from Louisiana Probation and Parole with compliance checks on those individuals. This led to narcotics agents obtaining search warrants for two residences on the street. During the search of the residences, agents recovered methamphetamine, Schedule III pills, heroin, and drug paraphernalia.

In all, seven individuals, all of Thibodaux, were charged as a result of the investigation:

  • Tammy Lucas, 48, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia;
  • Derrek Delcambre, 44, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia (also being held for parole violation);
  • Beau Guidry, 38, for possession of heroin, possession of Suboxone, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of parole (warrant);
  • Chris Guillot, 54, for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia;
  • Kathy Turner, 51, for possession of methamphetamine;
  • Chad Delcambre, 43, for possession of drug paraphernalia; and
  • Felicia Gauthier, 58, for possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

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 NOTE: Per Article 234 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, booking photos cannot be released for these arrests.

Rape Aggression Defense Course Scheduled for August in Larose

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course on August 27-29, 2024, at the Larose-Cut Off Middle School, located at 13356 West Main Street in Larose.

This self-defense course designed for women will take place over 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 class registration deadline is August 23, 2024, at 11 a.m.

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

Larose Sex Offender Charged with Terrorizing

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Larose man for terrorizing. Carl Anderson Jr., 55, a registered sex offender, was arrested Monday following an incident over the weekend.

Just before 9:30 on July 20, 2024, deputies responded to a report of a suspicious person at an apartment complex in Mathews. Deputies made contact with a woman in her 30s who reported that a man wearing a ski mask had been knocking at her apartment door where she and her four kids were present. A camera by the door captured video of the man before he covered it with his hand. The woman shouted at the man, and he ran from the door. Deputies searched the area but could not locate a suspect.

Investigators developed Anderson as a suspect. Patrol deputies located Anderson traveling along East Main Street in Larose and conducted a traffic stop. He was taken into custody due to an active warrant for contempt of court. He was transported to the Criminal Operations Center in Lockport for questioning in the ongoing investigation. During questioning, Anderson admitted to being the person in the photograph but refused to answer questions about why he was wearing a mask or any accomplices.

Anderson was transported to Thibodaux and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. He was charged with five counts of terrorizing, wearing a mask in a public place (parish ordinance), and driving under suspension. He was also booked on the contempt of court warrant. Bail is set at $57,000.

This investigation is ongoing.

Carl Anderson Carl Anderson
Surveillance Photo Surveillance Photo

Two Women Arrested in Ongoing Narcotics Investigation

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced narcotics agents made two arrests in an ongoing investigation into a drug dealer in the Galliano area. Agents had been investigating Wendy Kieff, 45, of Galliano and arrested her on Saturday. She was accompanied by Tessy Gaubert, 52, of Larose who was also found in possession of narcotics.

Narcotics agents had been investigating Kieff for allegedly selling narcotics out of her West 133rd Street apartment. Through that investigation, they learned Kieff and Gaubert had traveled to Lafayette to pick up narcotics to bring back to Lafourche Parish. At around 7:30 p.m. on July 20, 2024, agents located Gaubert’s vehicle traveling on LA Highway 308 in Raceland and conducted a traffic stop. A narcotics K-9 deputy alerted to the possible presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, agents found Valium, methamphetamine, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Some of the drugs were determined to belong to Gaubert, while other items belonged to Kieff. Both were arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux.

Kieff was charged with possession with intent to distribute synthetic marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail is set at $23,300. She is additionally being held for Assumption Parish due to a warrant for violation of a protective order.

Gaubert was charged with possession of Valium, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of marijuana. Her bail is set at $22,500.

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

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 NOTE: Per Article 234 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, booking photos cannot be released for these arrests.

Free Concealed Carry Courses Scheduled for September

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host two free concealed carry courses on Saturdays in September. The courses will be held on September 7 and 21, 2024, at the LPSO Shooting Range at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. The free informational course will cover gun safety, storage, liability, and prohibited carrying locations. Residents are encouraged to take the training if they intend to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, also known as “constitutional carry.”

The course will begin at 8 a.m. and end around 5 p.m. with a break for lunch. Those taking the course as a prerequisite to obtain the state concealed carry permit must stay for the entire course. Those wishing to attend simply for informational purposes can leave at any time. All participants must bring a handgun in good working condition, 50 rounds of ammunition, eye protection (sunglasses or eyeglasses are sufficient), and ear protection (muffs or plugs).

The course is free, but online registration is required in advance due to the limited class size. Go to LPSO.net/classes to register for this course online. For more information, contact Captain Kevin Johnson at (985) 449-4481 or by email at kevin-johnson@lpso.net.

ABOUT CONCEALED CARRY IN LOUISIANA:
Act No. 6 of the 2024 Regular Session of the Louisiana State Legislature amends existing law to allow for those 18 years of age or older to carry a firearm concealed within the state without obtaining a permit or training. The law only applies to those not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm by any state or federal law. The law also only applies within the state of Louisiana and is not reciprocal to other states. To carry concealed in those states with existing reciprocity laws, you must still obtain a concealed carry permit from the State of Louisiana.

UPDATE: Three Arrested in June 2024 Shooting in Thibodaux

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced three people have been arrested for their roles in a in a June 2024 shooting in Thibodaux. David Bonds, 35, and Ronald Vallejo, 33, both of Thibodaux, were arrested for the attempted murder of Floyd Gage, 45, of Thibodaux who was charged with illegal carrying of a firearm following the incident. Bonds and Gage both suffered injuries in the shooting.

Through investigation, deputies learned Vallejo and Gage had an argument near Gage’s residence on June 29, 2024. This resulted in Vallejo leaving and returning at around 7:15 p.m. with Bonds. When Gage exited his residence, Vallejo and Bonds began shooting at Gage who was struck in the arm. Gage retreated inside the residence. Both Vallejo and Bonds followed Gage who then began shooting back at them, striking Bonds in the hip. Vallejo and Bonds left the scene, and Bonds went to a local hospital for treatment. Gage remained at the scene, and deputies rendered first aid upon their arrival. He was later treated at the hospital for his injury. Investigators obtained arrest warrants for Vallejo and Bonds for attempted second degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Following his release from the hospital, Gage was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bail is set at $75,000.

Vallejo fled the parish on the night of the shooting. He was arrested on a traffic stop for drug possession on July 1 by Louisiana State Police and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. He is being held by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office on the drug charge, and he is also being held on the warrants for Lafourche Parish.

Then, on July 18, 2024, investigators located and arrested Bonds. During a search of his residence, detectives found a loaded firearm. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on the aforementioned warrants and also charged with a second count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bail is set at $650,000, and he is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.

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 NOTE: Per Article 234 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, Gage’s booking photo cannot be released.

David Bonds
David Bonds
Ronald Vallejo
Ronald Vallejo

Investigation into Lockport Meth Dealer Leads to Four Arrests

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a narcotics investigation into a local meth dealer has led to four arrests. Mitchell Folse, 45, Walter Nelson III, 42, and Chad Brunet, 43, all of Lockport have all been arrested along with Darby Smith Jr., 21, of Larose.

Through an investigation into Folse, narcotics agents obtained arrest warrants and a search warrant for his residence on Mar Drive. On July 11, 2024, agents located Folse, and he was taken into custody. Agents then proceeded to the Mar Drive residence to conduct a search with assistance from LPSO patrol deputies and detectives, as well as Lockport Police. When they arrived, they encountered several individuals at the residence, including Nelson, Smith and Brunet. Nelson and Smith attempted to evade arrest by escaping the residence through a window, but they were quickly apprehended. During the search, agents located suspected methamphetamine. All four were arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux.

Folse was booked on warrants for three counts of distribution of methamphetamine. He was additionally charged with possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a structure for narcotics use. Bail is set at $125,000.

Smith was arrested on several active warrants for charges including four counts of violation of protective orders, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, theft of a firearm, theft, simple burglary, and contempt of court. He was also charged with resisting an officer and violation of probation. Bail is set at $55,500, and he is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.

Nelson was booked on two warrants for contempt of court. He was also charged with resisting arrest, and his bail is set at $50,100. Brunet was booked on a warrant for contempt of court, and bail is set at $25,000.

Agents say the investigation is continuing, and additional arrests and charges are possible.

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

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 NOTE: Per Article 234 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, a booking photo cannot be released for this arrest.