News Blog

Three Free Hunter Education Field Days Scheduled for December 2020

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host three free Hunter Education Field Days in December for anyone age 10 or older who has completed the home study course.

The first Field Day will take place on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the LPSO Shooting Range located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. Click here to register for this course.

The second Field Day will take place on Thursday, December 10, 2020, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the LPSO Shooting Range. Click here to register for this course.

The third Field Day will take place on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the LPSO Shooting Range. Click here to register for this course.

The Field Day is part of the home study format: an online class that can be taken at the student’s own pace, followed by the field-day class. The online portion of the home study format costs $19.95 through the online course provider. Students must bring a printed voucher from the online course or be able to show proof of completion from the home study course to be admitted into this class. Class size is limited, and advance registration is required.

All students are required to follow COVID-19 protocols. Masks are required throughout the duration of the class. Do not attend the class if you are feeling sick or have fever, sore throat, or other symptoms. Students should also bring safety glasses and a pen or pencil to write with.

Firearms and ammunition should NOT be brought to this course, but snacks are permitted. For more information, or for assistance with online registration, call the LPSO Training Academy at (985) 387-4480 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email Captain Lafate Day at Lafate-day@lpso.net.

Lafourche Parish Correctional Facilities in Line for Accreditation Following Audits This Week

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office’s two correctional facilities are in line for accreditation by the American Correctional Association (ACA) following an assessment of the programs and facilities this week. The Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex is in line for its initial accreditation, while the Transitional Work Program is seeking re-accreditation. The final decision will be made following a formal hearing at the ACA’s Winter Conference in February 2021.

“This is a great day for Lafourche Parish,” said Sheriff Webre. “Our citizens can rest assured that yet another aspect of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff Office is being administered at the highest standards possible. We relish this moment as another step forward toward a brighter future in Lafourche Parish.”

The Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex was found to be in compliance with 100% of mandatory standards and all applicable voluntary standards. Meanwhile, the Transitional Work program was also found to be in 100% compliance with mandatory standards. Of the applicable voluntary standards, the program was found to be in 99.5% compliance, having met 196 out of 197 standards. The only standard that was unable to be met was having natural light in the inmates’ sleeping areas.

Robbin Bell (Michigan) and Fred Schoonover (Marksville, La.) served as auditors along with ACA Audit chairman David Eberhard (Arkansas). During the exit interview on Friday, Eberhard said, “In my history of performing audits around the country, I’ve never seen two programs so aligned in their mission of doing whatever it takes to rehabilitate those in a correctional environment.”

Lafourche Parish becomes only the second parish in Louisiana to have its parish-operated facilities accredited by the ACA. Lafayette Parish is the other with accreditations for its Correctional Center and Transitional Work Program.

“I’m at a loss for words to express my genuine appreciation and admiration for the efforts of our correctional staff at both facilities,” said Sheriff Webre. “Now, those efforts have been validated by the ACA. The results of these audits represent the commitment to excellence of our agency, and we look forward to a final decision on accreditation in February.”

Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex - Front Row L to R: Lt. Carla Landry, Robbin Bell (ACA), Captain Karla Beck. Back Row L to R: Sheriff Craig Webre, Fred Schoonover, David Eberhard, Major Cortrell Davis, Deputy Lesley Hill, Major Renee Brinkley.
Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex – Front Row L to R: Lt. Carla Landry, Robbin Bell (ACA), Captain Karla Beck. Back Row L to R: Sheriff Craig Webre, Fred Schoonover (ACA), David Eberhard (ACA), Major Cortrell Davis, Deputy Lesley Hill, Major Renee Brinkley.

 

Transitional Work Program - Front Row L to R: David Eberhard (ACA), Robbin Bell (ACA), Deputy Chad Bergeron, Sgt. Karyn Dardar, Sgt. Anthony Adams. Back Row L to R: Deputy Lesley Hill, Program Facilitator Deborah Moorhead, Sheriff Craig Webre, Captain Jessica Davis, Deputy Perry Naquin, Deputy Charles Todaro.
Transitional Work Program – Front Row L to R: David Eberhard (ACA), Robbin Bell (ACA), Deputy Chad Bergeron, Sgt. Karyn Dardar, Sgt. Anthony Adams. Back Row L to R: Deputy Lesley Hill, Program Facilitator Deborah Moorhead, Sheriff Craig Webre, Captain Jessica Davis, Deputy Perry Naquin, Deputy Charles Todaro.

Beginner Handgun Course Slated for Saturday, November 21

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will offer a Beginner Handgun Course on Saturday, November 21, 2020, at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Shooting Range located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. This class is designed for first-time firearms owners and persons looking to learn basic fundamentals about firearm ownership. Class will begin at 8 a.m. and last until around noon. The actual ending time will vary due to class size.

This course will include the following:

  • Firearms handling and shooting safety
  • Firearms parts and their operation
  • Ammunition and its function
  • Shooting fundamentals and an opportunity to develop them on the range
  • How to select, clean, and store a firearm
  • Review of various activities available to help participants develop their shooting skills
  • One hour of live range fire with certified Range Safety instructor

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 $50, and a special rate of $25 is offered for seniors (ages 60+). Go to LPSO.net/classes to register for this course online. For more information, please contact Captain Lafate Day at (985) 449-4485 or by email at lafate-day@lpso.net.

RUNAWAY TEEN: Katherine Villeda-Hernandez

UPDATE: Katherine Villeda-Hernandez has been found safe. See the updated release HERE.

 

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 14-year-old Katherine Villeda-Hernandez of Larose. She was last seen at her residence on South Main Street at around 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 8, 2020. She left a hand-written note behind indicating she was running away from home.

Villeda-Hernandez is described as 5’0 tall, weighing approximately 100 pounds with black hair. She was last seen wearing plaid pajamas, but it appears she left her home with a bag of clothing. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 9-1-1.

Katherine Villeda Hernandez
Katherine Villeda Hernandez

Lockport Man Charged with Third Degree Rape

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Lockport man has been charged with Third Degree Rape involving a teenage girl. Derine Harris, 24, was arrested and booked on Tuesday, November 3.

Through investigation, detectives learned the alleged incident occurred at a gathering on the night of October 29, 2020, at a residence on North Willow Street in Lockport. The teenage girl attended and had consumed alcoholic beverages. While the girl was impaired, Harris engaged in sexual activity with the her. During questioning, Harris admitted to knowing the girl’s age and that she was impaired at the time of the incident.

Harris was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Third Degree Rape. Bail is set at $50,000.

Derine Harris
Derine Harris

Detectives Investigating Halloween Night Drive-By Shooting in Thibodaux

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are investigating a drive-by shooting that occurred on Halloween night in Thibodaux. One man suffered injuries in the shooting which were not life-threatening.

Just after 10 p.m. on October 31, 2020, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office received calls about shots having been fired on Karla Drive in Thibodaux. A man in his 40s was struck in the arm and hip and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. His injuries were not life-threatening. Two vehicles were also damaged in the incident.

Deputies learned the victim was standing in his driveway with other individuals when a vehicle passed by. Several shots were fired from occupants of the vehicle.

No arrests have been made yet in this incident. As this investigation continues, Sheriff Webre is asking for the public’s help on this case. Anyone with information on this crime is asked to submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433 or online at www.crimestoppersbr.org. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers through the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office 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 Correctional Facilities to Be Audited for Accreditation

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Corrections Department is preparing to host auditors from the American Correctional Association (ACA) in efforts to gain reaccreditation for the Transitional Work Program and the initial accreditation for the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex.  The Transitional Work Program has been accredited by the ACA since 2004. Last year’s scheduled audit was moved to this year in order to combine the reviews of both facilities.

Both facilities are voluntarily seeking accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections by demonstrating compliance with national established standards. A three-person audit team will conduct a standards compliance audit November 9-11, 2020, at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. Two members of the team will continue their work, conducting a separate audit of the Transitional Work Program November 12-13, 2020.

Information relevant to compliance with standards can be emailed to ACA’s Standards and Accreditation Department at SAC@aca.org or submitted in writing to the American Correctional Association at 206 North Washington Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.

“Accreditation is an important part of the checks and balances process on this agency,” said Sheriff Webre. “The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, as a whole, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. The American Correctional Association provides specific and stellar direction for our corrections facilities. We look forward to their review and input on how to further improve on each operation.”

LPSO to Participate in No Shave November Fundraiser to Help Fight Cancer

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will join several area law enforcement agencies in participating in No Shave November, a national effort to raise awareness and funding for the fight against cancer in the month of November.

Deputies and officers who donate $25 will be allowed to grow a beard during the month of November. Policies of many law enforcement agencies prohibit facial hair other than a mustache. These policies will be suspended for the month of November for those who donate money at each agency. All money collected will be donated to the American Cancer Society

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office which is spearheaded the project once again. In 2019, the combined efforts of all agencies involved resulted in over $20,000 being raised for the American Cancer Society. That included over $5,500 raised in Lafourche Parish alone.

“After such positive response from our staff and the public last year, it was an easy decision to take part in No Shave November again this year,” said Sheriff Webre. “Each of us has been affected by cancer in some way – whether it be ourselves, a family member or friend. This symbolic gesture is our way of embracing our hair which many cancer patients lose during treatment. We hope one day these fundraising efforts will result in a cure for this horrible disease.”

The American Cancer Society funds and conducts research, shares expert information, supports patients, and spreads the word about prevention. For more information on the American Cancer Society, please visit their website: www.cancer.org.

The public is welcomed to join in our efforts to participate to raise money for this great cause. Checks can be made out to the American Cancer Society and dropped off at any Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office location through the month of November.

Sheriff Webre Urges Citizens to Prepare as Zeta Approaches

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is urging citizens to complete hurricane preparations today – Tuesday, October 27 – as Tropical Storm Zeta is projected to strengthen to a hurricane and bring strong winds and rain to our area on Wednesday.

The administrative offices of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will be closed on Wednesday, October 28, but additional deputies will be on patrol. Residents can rest assured that all necessary functions required to serve and protect our communities are in place and we are utilizing all available equipment throughout the duration of the threat of the storm. In the event of an emergency, please call 911. For non-emergencies, call (985) 532-2808.

Tropical storm force winds are expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon, but could begin as early as Wednesday morning. Residents should take time this evening to ensure ditches and catch basins are cleared of any debris or obstructions. Secure any loose items outside your home and around your property, including outdoor furniture and holiday decorations. Also, check your storm supply kits and be sure you have enough food and water in case electricity is lost for several days.

For the latest information including push notifications about any evacuation orders or other important updates, download the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office app. You can also stay up to date via our website at LPSO.net/Zeta and check back often for updates. Information on the app and website is updated frequently and collected from all parish agencies to keep you posted with the most critical and up-to-date information. You can also monitor social media for updates by following @LafourcheSO on Facebook and Twitter.