Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced plans for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign which runs from July 1-5, 2021, centered around the Independence Day holiday. The campaign is coordinated and funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
As part of the campaign efforts, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will assign additional deputies to saturated patrol efforts to target impaired drivers and help keep motorists safe. Additionally, LPSO deputies will conduct a seat belt checkpoint and a DWI checkpoint. A seat belt checkpoint will be conducted during the evening hours of July 2, 2021. A DWI checkpoint will also begin during the evening hours of July 2, 2021, and continue into the early morning hours of the following day.
During the seat belt checkpoint, deputies will be checking motorists for seat belt and safety seat violations, as well as other violations such as expired inspection tags. During the DWI checkpoint, deputies will be looking for drivers who are possibly impaired while checking for other traffic safety issues, including but not limited to seat belt usage. Remember that Lafourche Parish is 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.
Sheriff Webre reminds citizens to designate a driver if you are going to drink. Have a plan on how you will arrive home BEFORE you leave home.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct a seat belt checkpoint and a DWI checkpoint on Saturday, June 26, 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 Saturday evening in Lafourche Parish, and deputies will focus on checking motorists for seat belt and child safety seat violations. A DWI checkpoint will begin Saturday evening following the seat belt checkpoint and will continue into the early morning hours of Sunday, June 27. 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.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Larose man after narcotics agents found him with a variety of drugs and cash. Morris Charpentier Jr. faces several charges in the incident.
Agents had been investigating Charpentier and located him in a vehicle parked in Larose on June 16, 2021. Through further investigation, agents obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, as well as two residences in Larose and Des Allemands. During the searches, agents located an assortment of suspected narcotics including 504.8 grams of synthetic marijuana, 18.1 grams of marijuana, 7.3 grams of cocaine, 5.9 grams of methamphetamine, 20 doses of Roxicodone, and 7 doses of Xanax, as well as drug paraphernalia and over $3,000 cash.
Charpentier was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Synthetic Marijuana, Marijuana, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Roxicodone, and Xanax, as well as Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bail is set at $65,300.
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.
Sheriff Craig Webre has announced the radKIDS® Defense Course slated for Monday, July 26 through Thursday, July 29 will now take place at Lafourche Fire District #3 (17462 West Main, Galliano). The course was originally scheduled to take place at The Learning Center at Lady of the Sea Hospital. Deadline for registration for this course is July 23, 2021.
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office offered its first summer radKIDS® Defense Courses last week in Thibodaux. The next course will be held at the LPSO Range Facility (3451 Highway 182) in Raceland Tuesday, June 22 through Friday, June 25. Deadline for registration for that course is Friday, June 18.
These courses are designed for children 5 to 12 years of age and provide hands-on techniques giving children the tools they need to identify, avoid and respond to danger.
Children ages 5-7 attend daily morning sessions from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and an afternoon session is held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for children ages 8-12. Parents can elect to drop children off or stay for the two-hour program each day. Children are urged to wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes.
The cost is $10 per child for course materials. Class size is limited, so advance registration is required. To register online, please visit LPSO.net/Classes. For more information, contact Deputy Angela Poiencot at (985) 665-7033 or angela-poiencot@lpso.net.
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“RAD” stands for “Resist Aggression Defensively.” Through radKIDS® training, children become empowered and learn to replace fear, confusion, and panic in dangerous situations with confidence, personal safety skills, and self-esteem. It is an educational opportunity for children to learn personal safety strategies as they will receive special training in school safety, 911 calls, and general awareness. On the final day, they get to “fight off” an aggressor. The courses are taught by deputies of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office certified to instruct the children in self-defense and awareness of possible dangerous situations.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced an arrest has been made in the case of a 1977 murder of a Golden Meadow woman. Chester Vegas Sr., 78, of Cut Off has been charged with Second Degree Murder in the shooting that killed his wife, Diane Vegas, who was 32 years old at the time of her death.
“We hope this arrest can begin to bring some closure to the Vegas family who have been living with questions about Diane’s death for nearly 44 years,” said Sheriff Webre. “New information combined with the initial investigation helped us build probable cause for the arrest.”
On October 10, 1977, deputies responded to a restaurant called The Chicken House at 1908 North Bayou Drive in Golden Meadow. They discovered the body of Diane Vegas inside the restaurant with a single gunshot wound to the back.
Chester Vegas was considered a suspect until the initial investigation went cold. In October 2020, detective re-opened the case and obtained new information that led to establishing probable cause for Chester Vegas’ arrest. Detectives obtained the warrant on June 11, 2021.
Detectives made contact with Vegas on Friday, June 11, and he was placed under arrest. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux on one count of Second Degree Murder. He was released Friday night after posting $50,000 bail.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported human remains found last week in Golden Meadow have been confirmed to belong to a missing Galliano woman. Testing confirmed the identity as that of 42-year-old Michelle Griffin.
Griffin had been missing since last month. She was last seen on East 178th Street in Golden Meadow on May 19, 2021.
On June 2, 2021, detectives discovered human remains in a wooded area just north of Yankee Canal, near East 178th Street where Griffin was last seen. An autopsy was conducted at the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office. On June 8, 2021, examiners determined the remains to be that of Griffin.
The investigation into Griffin’s death is continuing. At this time, investigators have discovered no obvious signs of foul play.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are continuing their investigation into the shooting death of a man which occurred on Hyland Drive in Thibodaux on Sunday. The victim has been identified as 31-year-old Carlos Knox of Houma. The incident is being investigated as a homicide. No arrests have been made.
Shortly after 5 p.m. on June 6, 2021, the Sheriff’s Office received a call about a person who had been shot and was lying on the ground in the 300 block of Hyland Drive in Thibodaux. Several gunshots were reportedly heard in the area. Deputies and detectives responded and located the victim who was pronounced dead and later identified as Knox. Several spent rifle shell casings were found nearby.
As the investigation continues, anyone with information on this incident can submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433, online at www.crimestoppersbr.org, or via the P3 Tips mobile app. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are currently investigating a shooting on Hyland Drive in Thibodaux that has resulted in one man’s death.
As the investigation continues, anyone with information on this incident can submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433, online at www.crimestoppersbr.org, or via the P3 Tips mobile app. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.
We’ll release more information as it can be made available.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced several individuals have been charged in connection to narcotics investigations in the South Lafourche area in the past two days. LPSO narcotics agents were assisted by LPSO detectives as well as agents from Louisiana Probation and Parole.
Through investigation, agents obtained a search warrant for the residence of Robert Blair Jr., 36, on Doucet Lane in Golden Meadow. During a search of the residence, agents located 5.75 ounces of suspected methamphetamine, over $6,000 in cash, and a handgun. Blair, who was at the residence at the time of the search, was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. He was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Illegal Carrying of a Weapon in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bail is set at $85,500. Additionally, agents arrested Blake Guidry, 33, of Galliano who was at the residence. He was booked on two active contempt of court warrants, and his total bail has not yet been set.
Agents had also obtained a search warrant for a residence on West 59th Street. On June 3, 2021, agents arrived and located one of the residents, Edward Green, 34, who had an active warrant for heroin distribution. During the search, agents located suspected narcotics including 48.4 grams of methamphetamine, 5.6 grams of crack cocaine, 3.5 grams of heroin and fentanyl, synthetic marijuana, numerous MDMA pills, and various drug paraphernalia, as well as over $1,000 in cash. Green was booked into the Correctional Complex on the active warrant. He was additionally charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Meth, Crack Cocaine, Fentanyl, Heroin, and MDMA, as well as Possession of Synthetic Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia. Bail is set at $301,000.
Stacey Hernandez, 57, who also resides at the residence, was issued a criminal summons for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Theft of Utility Services. Louis Eymard, 28, of Galliano, who was at the residence at the time of the search, was issued a criminal summons for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Agents also conducted a search at the residence of Gary Robinson, 54, on Peterson Lane in Galliano. When agents, arrived, they discovered Robinson and several other individuals at the residence. During the search, agents located heroin, methamphetamine, and several pills. Robinson was arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Possession of Meth and Drug Paraphernalia. Bail is set at $56,000.
The following individuals were also arrested at Robinson’s residence:
Kristen Morgan, 25, of Raceland: Obstruction of Justice, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bail is set at $600.
Tarah Plaisance, 40, of Golden Meadow: Possession of Tylenol with Codeine, two counts of Contempt of Court (warrant), Disturbing the Peace (warrant). Bail is set at $5,550.
Kristin Williams, 35, of Galliano: Distribution of Meth (warrant), Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bail is set at $25,500.
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.
Robert Blair Jr.Blake GuidryEdward GreenGary RobinsonKristen MorganTarah PlaisanceKristin Williams
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced an investigation is underway after detectives discovered human remains in the Golden Meadow area on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. The remains were discovered in a wooded area just north of Yankee Canal.
An autopsy will be performed. Updates will be provided as information becomes available as the investigation continues.
