Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 12-year-old Maddeline Vargas of Des Allemands. She was last seen at her residence in the 4200 block of U.S. Highway 90 late last night. Her bow and fishing poles were also missing, so it is believed she may have gone fishing but never returned.
Maddeline Vargas is described as 5’4” and weighing approximately 130 pounds with brown hair. She was last seen wearing a purple Mardi Gras shirt, blue jean shorts and sneakers. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced a Concealed Handgun Training Course will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021, 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). All individuals must wear a mask or face covering while in the classroom or the range office. Masks or face coverings are not required on the pistol ranges for those adhering to proper physical distancing.
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.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct a seat belt checkpoint and a DWI checkpoint on Friday, August 6, 2021, 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.
A seat belt checkpoint will be conducted Friday evening in Lafourche Parish, and deputies will focus on checking motorists for seat belt and child safety seat violations. A DWI checkpoint will begin Friday evening following the seat belt checkpoint and will continue into the early morning hours of Saturday, August 7. 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 you 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.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 12-year-old Zack Hunter of West 11th Street in Larose. Hunter was last seen walking on West 11th Street toward LA Highway 3235 at around 12:30 p.m. on Friday, July 30, 2021.
Hunter is described as 5’1” tall, weighing approximately 130 pounds with brown hair. Hunter was last seen wearing a gray sweatpants and a gray sweatshirt with a dark-colored striped shirt underneath. Anyone with information on Hunter’s 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 people have been charged after narcotics agents seized over three pounds of methamphetamine, more than one pound of marijuana and other drugs, as well as firearms and cash at a Raceland residence. Christopher Adams, 36, was arrested on Monday as part of the investigation. His girlfriend, Tami Lantia, 42, had been arrested after an initial search in May 2021.
As part of an investigation, narcotics agents obtained a search warrant for Adams’ residence on Canal Street in Raceland. On May 10, 2021, agents arrived at the residence to conduct a search with assistance by Louisiana State Police. At the residence, they made contact with Lantia and learned Adams was working out of state. During a search of the residence, agents discovered a more than a pound of marijuana and other suspected narcotics as well as numerous firearms and cash. In all, agents seized the following:
535.8 grams of marijuana;
31.2 grams of methamphetamine;
0.5 grams of suspected cocaine;
14 vials of steroids;
9 firearms (4 rifles, 3 handguns, and 2 shotguns);
$5,005 in cash; and
various drug paraphernalia.
Agents learned Lantia had knowledge of the marijuana which had been delivered by mail, and she was found in direct possession of methamphetamine. She was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. She was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Possession of Methamphetamine. She was released that same day after posting bail in the amount of $12,500.
Three days later, on May 13, 2021, agents learned of another possible drug delivery to the residence and obtained another search warrant. During a search, agents discovered a package containing approximately 1,450.2 grams of methamphetamine. Agents obtained warrants for Adams’ arrest for Principle to Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Steroids, as well as Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On July 26, 2021, agents located Adams and he was taken into custody on the active warrants. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. He was released later that day after posting bail in the amount of $42,500.
Citizens are reminded that they can report any drug-related or suspicious activity. Information can be reported directly to the Narcotics section commander, Lieutenant 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.
Christopher AdamsTami LantiaSeizure From First Search WarrantMeth Seizure From Second Search Warrant
Sheriff Craig Webre announced two members of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office were honored at an international conference in Florida last week. Major Lafate Day Jr. and Reservist Lucie Morvant were both recognized for their achievements at the R.A.D. Systems International Training and Certification Conference held July 18-22, 2021 in Orlando, Florida.
Morvant received the Susan B. Anthony Award, R.A.D.’s highest honor, for her longtime commitment to the R.A.D. program. She was previously inducted into the R.A.D. Systems International Hall of Fame in 2019. Morvant has been a R.A.D. Instructor for 27 years, and has over 40 years of experience with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. After retiring from full-time duty in 2009, she became a reservist where she continued to volunteer her time in serving as a R.A.D. instructor. Morvant has also served as the state director for the R.A.D. program since 2002.
Major Day was recognized with the Aggressor Award. He has also been a R.A.D. Instructor for 27 years, often donning the padded “aggressor” suit to help with the hands-on portion of the R.A.D. training.
“R.A.D.” stands for “Rape Aggression Defense.” The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office hosts R.A.D. classes open to the public periodically throughout the year, as well as classes for private businesses. The course is suitable for women of all ages and abilities. It provides women with basic awareness and prevention skills, as well as self-defense, in the event of an attack. Course offerings have been limited recently due to COVID-19.
Graduates Lt. Kevin Johnson (left-center) and Lt. Derek Champagne (right-center) are pictured with LPSO Chief Deputy Roy Gros (far left) and Sheriff Craig Webre (far right).
Sheriff Craig Webre announced two Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office supervisors have graduated from the twelfth session of the National Command and Staff College. Lieutenant Derek Champagne and Lieutenant Kevin Johnson were among 23 law enforcement commanders from Louisiana, New Mexico and South Carolina who completed the course.
A graduation ceremony was held on July 23, 2021, at the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office Training Center and Special Services Complex in Luling, LA. During the ceremony, Lieutenant Johnson was recognized as part of Team Tiger which received the Capstone Research Award. The students were divided into several teams to conduct their capstone research for the course. This award is given to the team which exhibits a well-defined, collaborative effort with a focus on written and oral presentation skills and several other elements.
Both Lieutenant Champagne and Lieutenant Johnson had been promoted to new positions earlier this year. Lieutenant Champagne was promoted to commander of the narcotics section, and Lieutenant Johnson was promoted to director of the Lafourche Sheriff’s Regional P.O.S.T. Training Academy.
“I’m very proud of these individuals,” said Sheriff Webre. “They submitted themselves to several weeks of classes, studies, and lectures, all while taking on new roles and duties, and all during a pandemic. I congratulate both of these men on their graduation in their efforts to become better leaders for their community.”
The National Command and Staff College was founded in 2010 by the International Academy of Public Safety, Inc. in collaboration with the National Sheriffs’ Association and the National Tactical Officers Association. The comprehensive, eight-week course focuses on topics such as leadership theories and practices, social media, recruitment, foresight, policing issues, ethics, and diversity. The course is designed to produce leaders to promote community safety, build mutual trust, maximize officer safety and wellness, foster star performance, and reduce liability and risks. Students read several books, participate in hundreds of hours of course lectures, and write numerous essays each with case studies, discussion questions and classroom simulations.
Previous graduates of the National Command and Staff College from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office include Chief Deputy Roy Gros, Major Cortrell Davis, Major Lafate Day, Captain John Champagne, Lieutenant Benjamin Dempster and Lieutenant Michael Beck Jr.
For more information on the National Command and Staff College, go to CommandCollege.org.
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Lt. Derek Champagne with Sherry Bass (National Command & Staff College) and Sheriff Craig WebreLt. Kevin Johnson with Sherry Bass (National Command & Staff College) and Sheriff Craig WebreSession 12 Class PictureTeam Tiger (from L to R): Capt. Marshall Carmouche (St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office), Lt. Miranda Rogers (Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office) and Lt. Kevin Johnson (LPSO). Not pictured: Lt. David Mascaro (Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office)
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 15-year-old Cameron Morales of Highland Oaks in Gray. He was last seen just before 1 p.m. on July 22, 2021, when he left his residence without permission after an argument with a family member.
Morales is described as 6’6” tall, weighing approximately 200 pounds with black hair. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and shorts, with Nike sneakers. He was wearing a baseball cap, and a back pack. Anyone with information on hiswhereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet announced the arrest of a man as part of a joint operation on Monday. Brett Gabriel Jr., 28, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Terrebonne and faces new charges in Lafourche Parish after a search of his residence turned up guns, drugs, and cash.
Detectives in Terrebonne Parish had obtained a warrant for Gabriel’s arrest for illegal purchase of a firearm by a convicted felon using fake identification as well as possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and identity theft. Through investigation, they learned of a residence in the 300 block of St. Charles Bypass Road in Thibodaux in which Gabriel was associated.
Lafourche Parish detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence on St. Charles Bypass Road. Detectives from both parishes arrived at the residence on July 19, 2021, and Gabriel was taken into custody. During a search of the residence, investigators found three firearms, fake driver’s licenses, drugs, and cash.
Narcotics agents responded to the residence to assist and obtained an additional search warrant in reference to the narcotics. In all, agents seized approximately 92 grams of suspected marijuana, 763 doses of Xanax, 34 doses of Adderall, 7 bottles of Promethazine with Codeine, $2,080 in cash, as well as drug paraphernalia and surveillance equipment.
Gabriel was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Illegal Carrying of a Weapon in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of a Schedule V Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, as well as Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Xanax. Bail is set at $215,500. He is also being held for Terrebonne Parish on the aforementioned warrants.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the apprehension of two juveniles who had escaped from a detention facility in north Louisiana. The incident occurred in Gray on Wednesday afternoon involving a coordinated effort from parish and state law enforcement.
Just before 1 p.m. on July 14, 2021, deputies received information about juveniles who had escaped from the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe who were possibly in Lafourche Parish. The juveniles had also reportedly stolen a vehicle in a carjacking in the Alexandria area.
In a coordinated effort, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, and the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice tracked the vehicle to a discount store on LA Highway 316 in Gray. As the two juveniles were walking back to the vehicle, they spotted law enforcement and began to run. Both were quickly apprehended and positively identified as a 17-year-old male and a 15-year-old male who had escaped from the Monroe facility. One was also found to have had a handgun in his possession.
The juveniles were turned over to the custody of the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice.
