Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Man Arrested after Crashing Stolen Vehicle into Thibodaux Residence

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Thibodaux man was arrested after crashing a stolen vehicle into a house on Monday. Mark Wright, 41, of Thibodaux faces multiple charges in the incident.

Just before 7 p.m. on March 30, 2020, deputies responded to a call that an SUV had crashed into a home on Camellia Drive in Thibodaux. While traveling to the scene, deputies learned the driver drove away from the scene on Camellia, and he and the SUV were near the intersection of Arms Street and Plantation Road. When deputies arrived, the driver, later identified as Mark Wright, ran away from the vehicle. They caught up to him and placed him under arrest, but he continued to resist deputies. He was eventually transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. Through further investigation, deputies learned that earlier in the day, a woman was about to give Wright a ride to the store when he took her keys and drove away in the vehicle.

Back at the Camellia Drive residence, deputies learned the homeowner was sitting in a chair when the crash occurred, and the SUV pushed the chair across the room. The homeowner was checked by EMTs at the scene but was not injured in the crash.

Wright was booked with charges including Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Hit-and-Run Driving, Reckless Operation with Accident, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Resisting an Officer, and an expired driver’s license. Bail is set at $41,100.

SCAM ALERT: Sheriff Webre Cautions Residents as COVID-19 Scams Ramp Up

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is again warning residents to be cautious of scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These scams could come in the form of email, telephone calls, or even misinformation on social media.

“As this public health emergency intensifies, scammers are ramping up their efforts to take advantage of people,” said Sheriff Webre. “We urge everyone to be suspicious of anyone initiating contact regarding COVID-19 and selling products for prevention, protection, or recovery.”

Sheriff Webre cautions citizens to be wary of emails advertising any kind of financial relief, work-at-home schemes, unproven treatments for COVID-19, and healthcare plans. Con artists may also create fraudulent online donation accounts and investment scams.

Recently, a Lafourche Parish resident received a call from someone claiming to be from a local utility company demanding immediate payment in the form of a money order or gift card. This is an example of a common utility scam that may become more prevalent during this emergency. While there are numerous types of scams, they typically share common characteristics:

You are told to send money to receive money or prizes.
You are told to pay immediately via prepaid debit card, gift card, or electronic money order.
A caller uses threatening, offensive, or vulgar language.

“No matter how sophisticated the scam or what type it is, we typically see one or more of these common signs,” said Sheriff Webre. “If you believe you are dealing with a scammer, hang up or delete the email immediately.”

Regarding robocalls, the Federal Trade Commission advises citizens to hang up, and do not press any numbers. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it might lead to more robocalls instead. NEVER share your personal or financial information with an incoming caller or via email or text message.

To avoid phishing scams, type out a website address in your browser instead of clicking on a link in an email or text message. When shopping online, look for the “secure” icon in the address bar, or check that the website address begins with “https.” Consumers are encouraged to shop with companies you know and trust and avoid public Wi-Fi to shop from a mobile device.

To avoid scams on social media, only click links from trusted sources, and do not share posts from random sources or individuals. Remember that after you have shared a post, the person or page who posted can change the content without notification or warning.

To learn more about COVID-19 scams, visit www.FTC.gov/coronavirus or www.bbb.org/coronavirus.

To stay informed with local information on COVID-19, download the LPSO app, or go to www.LPSO.net/coronavirus.

Man Charged with Attempted Murder Following Thursday Shooting Incident

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of Jonathan Carter, 21, of Gray. Carter is charged with attempted murder, as well as weapon and drug charges, following a shooting incident on Thursday.

At around 6 p.m. on March 26, 2020, patrol deputies responded to a report of a shot fired in Thibodaux. Deputies learned a man was traveling in his car on Waverly Road when another car approached from the opposite direction. As the cars passed, a shot was fired from the driver’s side of one vehicle at the other, striking the front fender. Investigators learned the vehicle had been following the victim since he left a friend’s house in Abby Subdivision in Thibodaux.

Later that evening, investigators located the suspect’s vehicle in Solar Trailer Park and made contact with Jonathan Carter. He was found to have a 9mm pistol in his possession. Deputies obtained a search warrant for the car and found several bullet casings inside. They also located a jar containing several bags of marijuana and a digital scale. During questioning, Carter admitted to having followed the victim and intentionally shooting at him. He also claimed ownership of the marijuana.

Carter was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Attempted Second Degree Murder, Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Bail is set at $1.11 million.

Inmate Commissary Purchases and Deposits Now Available Online and via LPSO App

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the public can now make online commissary purchases and deposits for Lafourche Parish inmates through the LPSO app and website. This new feature is available for inmates at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex and the Lafourche Parish Transitional Work Program.

This online service was made newly available due to the Governor’s “Stay at Home” order in response to the spread of COVID-19. To that end, deposits on inmate accounts cannot be made in person while the “Stay at Home” order is in effect. The use of the online service is strongly encouraged and is the fastest way to get funds into an inmates account. If absolutely necessary, money orders can be mailed to an inmate. Cash deposits cannot be mailed.

“Like other public agencies, we continue to ask the public to conduct online transactions as often as possible,” said Sheriff Webre. “When it comes to our detention facilities, we must take every possible precaution. By offering this new online feature, we continue to have the safety of our employees, the inmates and the public at the forefront as we do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19.”

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office contracts with Tiger Correctional Services to provide inmate commissary. This allows inmates to purchase items while they are incarcerated such as snacks, beverages, and hygiene items. Through their website, an inmate’s loved ones can deposit money onto an inmate’s account or make purchases for them. Online deposits must be $5.00 at a minimum, and online purchases must be $10.00 at a minimum. Tiger Correctional Services also assesses a 3% fee for all online transactions.

To access this new online feature, go to “Inmate Information” on the LPSO app and select “Inmate Commissary.” You can also access it on the website at www.LPSO.net/commissary.

For those seeking to mail a money order to an inmate, please address is to the inmate at the appropriate facility:

Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, 2594 Veterans Blvd., Thibodaux, LA 70301
Transitional Work Program, 1156 U.S. Highway 90 East, Raceland, LA 70394

Convicted Felon Charged with Child Molestation

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a convicted felon from Thibodaux has been charged with child molestation. Dwayne Jones, 41, was arrested in September on other charges and was still in jail. He has an extensive and violent criminal history.

On September 17, 2019, a woman reported Dwayne Jones had inappropriately touched her daughter who was under the age of 13. Deputies attempted to contact Jones at a Raceland residence, but when they arrived, he began to run. Within moments, deputies caught up with Jones who continued to resist. He was eventually taken into custody and found to have a 9mm magazine in his possession. Jones indicated that he had tossed a gun away when he began to run from deputies. The firearm was located and found to be loaded. At that time, Jones was arrested and charged with Obstruction of Justice, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Resisting an Officer. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. His bail was set at over half a million dollars, and he was also held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.

Juvenile detectives began investigating the molestation complaint Following an extensive investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for Jones’ arrest.

On March 23, 2020, Jones, who was still in jail, was additionally booked on the charge of Molestation of a Juvenile Under 13 Years of Age. His total bail amount has now increased to $1,007,500, and he also continues to be held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.

Lafourche Parish Property Tax Sale Process Extended

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheriff Craig Webre announced the annual property tax sale process will be extended to a future date to be determined. The process typically begins in April with the tax sale during the summer months.

Any remaining balance on property tax payments can be made in full online at www.LPSO.net. Full and partial payments can be mailed in with a check or money order to Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, P.O. Box 5608, Thibodaux, LA 70302. Please make the check or money order payable to Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Once the process resumes, those who still owe will be notified by certified mail regarding the amount due.

For more information, please call (985) 449-4430.

LSA Scholarship Application Deadline Postponed

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre has announced that the application deadline for the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association annual scholarship has been postponed. The original deadline was April 1, 2020, but the deadline has been postponed to a date to be determined later.

Applications are still available for download online. Completed applications can still be mailed to Lieutenant Brennan Matherne, P.O. Box 5608, Thibodaux, LA 70302.

To download an application, or for more information, go to www.LPSO.net/scholarship.

DOTD makes temporary changes to GeauxPass operations

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced it will make temporary changes to operations at the LA 1 toll bridge in Leeville in order to follow statewide mandates of social distancing to help reduce the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus. The changes will begin at noon on Sunday, March 22 and be in place until April 22, 2020.

The cash/credit card lane will be closed, diverting southbound traffic to lane 2, known as the tag lane. Customers who do not have a toll tag will be required to go through the tag lane and will be sent an invoice in the mail for the price of the toll. There will not be any added fines or fees added to the invoice. These changes will not affect customers that currently have a GeauxPass toll account and tag for their vehicles.

Additionally, the lobby of the customer service center in Golden Meadow will be closed to the public. Motorists can open and make changes to their accounts, as well as make payments on current accounts and violations, by calling customer service at 1-866-662-8997 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or by visiting the GeauxPass website at http://www.geauxpass.com

For the up-to-date information on road closures and other incidents, check www.511la.org before you travel. For more information, please visit www.dotd.la.gov, email dotdcs@la.gov, or call DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683).

For updates on local information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, please download the LPSO app or go to www.LPSO.net/coronavirus.

UPDATE: New Impacts to LPSO Due to COVID-19

Sheriff Craig Webre announced today a new round of impacts to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office as it relates to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

All sheriffs’ sales of seized property and movables have been suspended until at least April 13, 2020. This is due to Governor Edwards’ recent proclamation suspending the provisions of civil procedures used in judicial proceedings in general.

Medical staff will continue to screen all arrested individuals prior to them entering the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. As previously announced, all in-person visits for inmates have been suspended, and video visitation is available through IC Solutions at www.icsolutions.com. The Correctional Complex is now utilizing an intercom system for public entry. Anyone with business at the complex must utilize the exterior intercom to state their business prior to being allowed to enter. For surety bonds, only bondsmen will be allowed to enter. For cash bonds, only one person will be allowed to enter to sign paperwork. For those paying fines and costs, only one person can enter to make a payment. If friends, family, or other associates are present during these transactions, they must wait outside the facility.

The Lafourche Parish Animal Shelter is only taking stray cats and dogs in emergency situations. Therefore, deputies will only be able to respond to calls for service involving vicious animals and/or when a bite has occurred. Also, animal control deputies are removing all traps at this time and will not be able to utilize them until further notice.

Like most government officials, Sheriff Webre is encouraging “social distancing.” For the safety of all, residents are asked to conduct business online, by email, or over the phone as much as possible. Property tax payments and payments of fees and fines can be made online at www.LPSO.net, as well as requests for background checks. For those needing fingerprinting, please call our office to schedule this service. If entering one of our lobbies, you may be asked to have your temperature taken or to wash/sanitize your hands.

Additionally, the LPSO Shooting Range is now closed to the public until further notice.

In a recent proclamation, Governor Edwards gave Louisiana sheriffs the authority to institute a curfew as part of the emergency measures in response to COVID-19. Sheriff Webre has not instituted a curfew for Lafourche Parish at this time. Should one become necessary in the future, a public announcement will be made detailing the parameters of the curfew.

To stay informed, citizens are urged to download the LPSO app for the latest local information and push alerts, as well as important links to local, state, and federal government information sites. The information is also available on our website at www.LPSO.net/coronavirus.

Please continue to use 911 for emergencies, and call (985) 532-2808 for all other services. Depending on the nature of the call, dispatchers may ask personal information about illness or symptoms.

UPDATE: Thibodaux Shooting Determined to Be Accidental

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced no charges have been filed in what has determined to be an accidental shooting that took place at a Thibodaux residence on March 13, 2020.

At 11:32 a.m. on Friday, March 13, a man called 911 in reference to a woman being shot in the torso after a gun had discharged. The woman was transported via helicopter to a hospital for treatment. She is expected to recover.

Through investigation, detectives learned that the woman’s husband was attempting to show her how to use the weapon when it discharged, striking her in the upper chest. Detectives have found no evidence of foul play, and the shooting has been determined to be accidental.

Sheriff Webre encourages citizens to always utilize proper gun safety techniques:

Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
Always keep the muzzle of the firearm pointed in a safe direction.
Always keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard unless you intend to fire the weapon.
If there are children in the home, use child safety locks or other locking mechanisms on your firearms and/or keep your firearms locked in a secure location accessible to adults only. Keep your ammunition locked in a secure location away from the firearms.
Wear appropriate ear and eye protection when discharging the firearm.