Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Webre Announces LPSO Storm Operations Due to Marco and Laura

8/24 UPDATE: Our administrative offices will reopen on Tuesday, August 25.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

In anticipation of the arrival of Tropical Storm Marco and Tropical Storm Laura, Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre has announced that the administrative offices of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will be closed on Monday, August 24, and offices will remain closed until the threat of the storms has passed. Both storms are expected to make landfall along the Louisiana coast this week.

Residents can rest assured that all necessary functions required to serve and protect our communities are in place as we are proactively doubling our patrol section and utilizing all available equipment throughout the duration of the threat of both storms. In the event of an emergency, please call 911. For non-emergencies, call (985) 532-2808.

Effective at noon today – Sunday, August 23 – Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson has ordered a mandatory evacuation for all residents and businesses South of the Leon Theriot Flood Gate and other low-lying areas. In order to accommodate evacuees that will need shelter, the Raceland Recreation Center (241 Recreation Drive, Raceland) will also open at noon on Sunday. Please contact the Lafourche Parish Government Emergency Operations Center at (985) 537-7603 prior to evacuating to the shelter for assistance and instructions.

Sheriff Webre encourages all residents to complete storm preparations today (Sunday). Tropical storm force winds are expected to arrive on Monday but may begin as early as overnight tonight. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is actively working with other parish emergency officials to ensure that all aspects of storm preparation and recovery are utilized.

For the latest information including push notifications, download the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office app, or go to our website at LPSO.net/Tropical 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.

Mandatory Evacuation Ordered for Parts of Lafourche Parish

From Lafourche Parish Government:

As Tropical Storm Marco and Laura approach coastal landfall, Parish President Archie Chaisson has issued a Mandatory Evacuation for all residents and businesses South of the Leon Theriot Flood Gate and other low-lying areas. The Mandatory Evacuation takes effect Sunday, August 23rd, 2020, at noon. In order to accommodate evacuees that will need shelter, the Raceland Recreation Center (241 Recreation Drive, Raceland, LA 70394) will open August 23rd, 2020, at noon. Please contact the Lafourche Parish Emergency Operations Center at 985-537-7603 prior to evacuating to the shelter for assistance with instructions.

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To stay up to date with all the latest information on #Marco and #Laura, download the LPSO app or go to www.LPSO.net/tropical.

Concealed Handgun Course Slated for September 20

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced a Concealed Handgun Training Course will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2020, 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.

Due to classes reaching capacity, registration is closed for previously announced concealed handgun courses on September 12, 13, and 19.

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 advance online registration is required 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 Captain Lafate Day at (985) 449-4485 or by email at lafate-day@lpso.net.

LPSO to Conduct Online Tax Title Sale on August 26, 2020

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a tax title sale on Wednesday, August 26, 2020. The tax sale will begin at 8 A.M. and conclude at 8 P.M. or earlier if all properties are sold. By hosting the sale online, bidders that would not normally be able to attend the auction in person are still able to participate.

This sale is open to the general public. Free registration and a list of available properties are now available through our website at LPSO.net/TaxSale. Bidders are encouraged to participate online from the comfort and privacy of their own computer, but if you wish to attend in person, a limited number of computer terminals will be available on the date of the tax sale on the third floor of the Ferd H. Block Building, located at 200 West 2nd Street in Thibodaux. These computer terminals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, space will be limited and a face covering must be worn. An LPSO representative will be on hand to answer any questions and direct you to a computer terminal.

A tax title sale is the sale of properties that have delinquent taxes due. The tax titles for these properties are sold to the public for the amount of the delinquent taxes due, plus any accrued interest, penalties, costs and other statutory impositions. The tax title sale is a “low bid wins” style auction in which the property is sold to the purchaser willing to bid on the least percent ownership interest in the property. Winning bidders of the tax sale are expected to pay for their purchases within 72 hours of the close of the auction. Payment must be made in full, and all sales are final.

Property owners must remit property tax payments by 4:00 P.M. on August 25, 2020, to avoid having their property subject to sale. Bills not paid in full by this time will result in the property being sold at the tax sale on August 26, 2020. Tax payments can be made at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Administration Office (200 Canal Boulevard, Thibodaux) or at the South Lafourche Sub-station (102 W. 91st Street, Cut Off). For additional information, property owners can call the Thibodaux office at (985) 449-4431 or the Galliano office at (985) 632-5844.

This auction and all future tax sales can be viewed online at LPSO.net/TaxSale. Using the convenient search options, bidders can set the parameters for any property that falls within their interests and budget.

Two Arrested Stemming from Investigation into Larose Vehicle Burglaries

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced deputies arrested two men connected to an investigation into vehicle burglaries in Larose. Dylan Breaux, 28, of Larose and Buddy Thibodaux, 21, of Cut Off each face charges stemming from the investigation.

On Sunday morning, August 16, 2020, deputies responded to reports of two vehicle burglaries in the Larose area. Both vehicles were left unlocked, and several items of value were stolen including a handgun. Through investigation, deputies identified Buddy Thibodaux and Dylan Breaux as suspects. Deputies learned Thibodaux allegedly committed the burglaries, but he had given the stolen handgun to Breaux to hide.

Deputies located Thibodaux and found him in possession of several items which had been stolen. He was placed under arrest. Later, on Sunday evening, deputies located Breaux and found the stolen handgun in his possession. Breaux is prohibited from possessing a handgun due to a previous domestic violence conviction. Both were transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux.

Thibodaux was booked on outstanding warrants for Contempt of Court and Simple Burglary of a Motor Vehicle from a previous incident. He was booked with two additional counts Simple Burglary. His bail is set at $26,000.

Breaux was charged with Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Domestic Abuse Battery, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He was also booked on an outstanding contempt warrant. His bail is set at $251,000.

Sheriff Webre Announces Plans for Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced plans for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign which runs from August 21 through September 7, 2020. The campaign is coordinated and funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. During the campaign, additional deputies will be assigned to saturated patrol efforts to target impaired drivers and help keep motorists safe.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving is a deadly epidemic that takes the lives of more than 10,000 people each year, on average.

Sheriff Craig Webre reminds citizens to have a plan to get home safely before you decide to drink. NEVER drive if you have had anything to drink containing alcohol. Remember that driving under the influence of illegal narcotics can also lead to a DWI arrest. In fact, some legal medications can impair your ability to drive. Always read warning labels and instructions on prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Sheriff Webre also thanks citizens for their cooperation and patience when passing through these checkpoints and for recognizing the importance of raising awareness for safety issues.

Sex Offender Arrested for New Charges Involving a Juvenile

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a registered sex offender for new crimes involving a juvenile. Rickey Lafont Jr., 35, of Galliano has been charged with Sexual Battery and Indecent Behavior Involving a Juvenile. Lafont was found guilty of indecent behavior with a teenage girl in August 2019.

On August 10, 2020, juvenile detectives opened a new investigation into Lafont. Investigators learned Lafont had reportedly touched a juvenile under the age of 13 inappropriately on more than one occasion. The most recent incident occurred earlier this year. Following the investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for Lafont’s arrest.

Detectives made contact with Lafont on Wednesday, August 12, and he was taken into custody. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux on charges of Sexual Battery (Forcible Fondling) and Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile. Bail is set at $600,000.

Following his conviction in 2019, Lafont received a four-year suspended sentence. He was placed on three years of supervised probation and had to register as a sex offender.

Additional Concealed Handgun Course Scheduled for September 13

Due to the overwhelming response for our upcoming concealed handgun training course on September 12, 2020, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host another class on the following day – Sunday, September 13. Registration for the course on Saturday, September 12 is closed due to the class being at capacity, but online registration is now open for the Sunday course.

As always, this class will be held at the LPSO Shooting Range Facility located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. Class will begin at 8:00 a.m. and last until approximately 5:00 p.m. with a break for lunch.

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.

Concealed Handgun Course Slated for September 12

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced a Concealed Handgun Training Course will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2020, 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.

UPDATE: Man Charged with Attempted Murder and Armed Robbery in Raceland Incident

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Houma man has been arrested in an investigation into an armed robbery in Raceland this past week in which shots were fired. Joshua Chaisson, 36, faces several charges including Attempted First Degree Murder and Armed Robbery.

At around 8:20 p.m. on August 3, 2020, deputies and detectives responded to a call of shots fired in the area of Buford Street in Raceland. Investigators have learned that a man was driving on Greenville Street when he stopped at a residence to visit a friend. Before he could enter the residence, Chaisson approached him holding a handgun and ordered him to get back into his vehicle and start driving. As Chaisson had him at gunpoint, he reportedly stole cash and a phone from the victim. The driver then exited the vehicle on Buford Street and began running away. As he ran, Chaisson fired several rounds at him. None of the rounds struck the driver, and no other injuries were reported.

Detectives made contact with Chaisson on Friday, August 7. Following questioning, Chaisson was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Attempted First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Armed Robbery with Use of a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Bail is set at $1.85 million.

The investigation into this incident is continuing.