Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a man was injured in a shooting in Raceland on Saturday. The incident remains under investigation.

Just prior to 11 a.m. on February 8, 2020, deputies responded to a report of shots fired in the area of St. Louis Street in Raceland. Through investigation, deputies learned a 22-year-old man was struck by two rounds to the torso and was taken to a hospital where he remains in stable condition.

Few details are known about the shooting incident at this time, and detectives are asking for the public’s help in this investigation. Anyone with any knowledge of this incident is asked to submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433, online at www.crimestoppersbr.org, or via 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 Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Cut Off man arrested for child molestation in November 2019 has been charged again after a second victim has come forward. Lain McMaster, 21, is now also charged with Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile.

During the initial investigation of McMaster, detectives learned he allegedly molested a girl under the age of 13 at a Larose residence. On November 14, 2019, McMaster was questioned and admitted to his involvement in the crime. He was arrested and charged with Molestation of a Juvenile in that case.

As the investigation into McMaster continued, a second victim came forward with allegations of a similar incident. The incident occurred when the victim was 14 years old. Based on the nature of the allegations and following an investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile.

McMaster was still in jail following his November 2019 arrest for Molestation of a Juvenile. On February 3, 2020, he was booked on the new warrant for Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile. His bail amount increased and is now set at $150,000.

The investigation into McMaster is continuing. Any other victims are encouraged to contact Sergeant Rodney Morrison of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (985) 532-4359.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced five individuals face drug charges as part of three separate investigations in what turned out to be a busy day for narcotics agents on January 30, 2020.

Agents started in Cut Off on Thursday morning. Through investigation, they had obtained a search warrant for the residence of Vontrell Cleveland, 39, and Christie Soudelier, 32, in Cut Off. Agents arrived at the residence that morning and made contact with Cleveland. During a search of the residence, agents found over 65 grams of methamphetamine which was determined to belong to Cleveland. They also located approximately 24 grams of marijuana, 20 Xanax pills, and various drug paraphernalia. During the search, Soudelier arrived at the residence. Both were arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. Both were charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession of Xanax, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Cleveland was additionally charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Cleveland and Soudelier were both released on Thursday night after posting bail amounts of $45,500 and $12,500, respectively.

Around midday on Thursday, agents arrived in Galliano to locate Roxie Toups, 24, due to obtaining a warrant for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine as part of an investigation. Agents obtained a search warrant for her residence and found approximately 82 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. There was also a juvenile present at the residence. Toups was arrested and booked into the Correctional Complex on charges including two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Illegal Use of a Controlled Dangerous Substance in the Presence of Persons Under 17 Years Old, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her bail is set at $21,500.

Then, on Thursday evening, agents proceeded to Main Street in Lockport for another search warrant. At the residence, agents made contact with Ryan Arceneaux, 41, and Brandy Ougel, 32, both of Lockport. They were both found in possession of drug paraphernalia, and Arceneaux also had cocaine in his possession. Arceneaux was arrested and booked into the Correctional Complex. He was charged with Possession of Cocaine and Drug Paraphernalia, and he was also booked on an outstanding contempt warrant due to failure to pay child support. His bail is set at $25,500. Ougel was issued a criminal summons for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced two men have been arrested in connection with recent burglaries in the Gheens area. Gary Matherne, 25, of Gheens and Chevy Plaisance, 18, of Mathews each face multiple felony charges in the investigation.

On January 20, 2020, deputies responded to multiples reports of stolen property in the Gheens area. In all, four vehicles and one home were burglarized, and a motor was also stolen directly off a boat. During the residential burglary, thieves broke a window to enter the home and stole six guns, four hunting bows, jewelry and other valuables. Approximately $1,000 in cash was stolen in the vehicle burglaries.

As detectives gathered evidence through several sources, they developed Matherne and Plaisance as suspects in the crimes. On January 30, 2020, detectives obtained a search warrant for Matherne’s residence and made contact with him at his home. During the search, investigators discovered several hunting bows and firearms that had been reported stolen, and the serial number on one gun had been obliterated.

Investigators also contacted Plaisance at his residence. He was found in possession of some of the other stolen firearms and jewelry from the investigation.

Matherne and Plaisance were both arrested and transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. They were each charged with four counts of Simple Burglary of a Motor Vehicle as well as Simple Burglary of an Inhabited Dwelling, and Felony Theft. Plaisance’s bail was set at $70,000. Matherne was additionally charged with Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Number, and his bail is set at $80,000.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a fugitive wanted in Utah for crimes dating back to 2003. Richard Schleininger, 49, was found to have been living in Bayou Blue for more than a decade under the alias, “Alex Paton” (PAY-tun).

On January 8, 2020, deputies with the Problem-Oriented Policing Squad (“POP” Squad) were in the area of LA Highway 316 and Bayou Blue By-Pass Road in Bayou Blue when they noticed a man traveling on a riding lawnmower on private property, passing several “No Trespassing” signs. Aware of recent trespassing complaints in the area, the deputies stopped the man. He identified himself as Alex Paton but could provide no proof of identification.

After questioning, the man was arrested and taken to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. There was no match for his fingerprints in the state’s database. Believing the individual was concealing his true identity, the deputies worked with detectives to conduct a more extensive fingerprint search nationwide in conjunction with the FBI. As a result, deputies identified the man Richard Schleininger, and he had two active warrants in Utah. He was wanted for Aggravated Assault (the equivalent of Second Degree Battery in Louisiana) as part of a domestic incident in 2003 and for Felony Theft in 2004. Authorities in Utah were notified and began researching the cases to determine if he could be extradited. Meanwhile, Schleininger was booked on the charges of Criminal Trespassing and Resisting an Officer. He was released the following day after posting $1,000 bail.

Last week, authorities in Utah notified deputies that Schleininger would be extradited. On January 23, 2020, deputies contacted Schleininger outside his residence, and he was taken back into custody. He is now being held without bail for police in Bountiful, Utah, a city located just north of Salt Lake City.

Sheriff Webre applauded the efforts of the deputies on the case. “This started as a simple trespassing complaint, but these deputies trusted their gut and realized something wasn’t adding up,” said Sheriff Webre. “They did their due diligence to identify this man only to learn he had been on the run for 17 years. This just shows there is no such thing as a ‘routine’ incident for us.”

Over the course of the investigation, deputies learned Schleininger had arrived in Lafourche Parish approximately 11 years ago and had been living in Bayou Blue since that time. Sheriff Webre said that a lack of interaction with law enforcement and a lack of steady employment contributed to this man’s ability to conceal his identity for so long.

“This man was hiding in plain sight,” said Sheriff Webre. “Other than an animal complaint he made in 2014, we had no other interaction with him until his arrest. He also only worked odd jobs for cash, and by avoiding traditional employment, he was never forced to verify his identity otherwise.”

Example of a replica pistol compared to the actual firearm it was meant to replicate

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is warning citizens about the dangers of replica pistols, especially when being used by children.

On January 23, 2020, deputies responded to an incident in Thibodaux wherein several juveniles were firing airsoft pistols at other juveniles. The pistols were those created to replicate actual firearms. Additionally, in 2017 and 2019, students at Raceland and Thibodaux schools, respectively, were found in possession of replica pistols on school grounds.

These pistols are built to be nearly identical to actual firearms, and Sheriff Webre says that is the primary reason they are so dangerous.

“It is important that parents and children fully understand the risks involved with using these types of pistols,” said Sheriff Webre. “Because they are built to be replicas of actual firearms, a deputy nor a citizen would be able to tell the difference in a split-second when one is pointed at them. We are urging citizens to refrain from using these in public settings and to modify the pistol so that it does not look like an actual firearm.”

Sheriff Webre also addressed previous public comments referring to these replica pistols as “just toys.”

“The belief that an airsoft pistol is a ‘toy’ is misguided at best,” said Sheriff Webre. “Aside from the obvious concern about brandishing one in the presence of others, injuries can occur when striking someone with a BB. Direct impact to an eye or another sensitive part of the body could cause serious injury.”

Anyone caught striking another individual with a BB from an airsoft gun would be subject to criminal charges including Aggravated Battery with a Dangerous Weapon.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced narcotics agents arrested four people at a Gheens residence on Thursday. Laura Cheramie, 41, and her brother, Harry Cheramie Jr., 31, were arrested along with Caleb McCaa, 24, and his girlfriend, Valerie Gaubert, 28.

Through an ongoing investigation, narcotics agents obtained a search warrant for Laura Cheramie’s residence on Hyland Drive. On January 23, 2020, agents arrived at the residence to conduct the search and made contact with Laura Cheramie, her two sons, and Gaubert. During a search of the residence, agents found small amounts of suspected methamphetamine and marijuana, various drug paraphernalia, and a rifle, all of which were determined to belong to Harry Cheramie Jr., who was prohibited from possessing firearms due to an active protective order. Agents also found additional suspected marijuana that belonged to the other three individuals, along with various items commonly associated with the sale of illegal drugs.

All four were arrested. They were booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux.

Laura Cheramie, McCaa and Gaubert were charged with one count each of Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bail is set at $10,500 each.

Harry Cheramie Jr. was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and Drug Paraphernalia, Illegal Carrying of a Weapon in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Violation of a Protective Order. His bail is set at $31,500.