The course will begin at 8 a.m. and end around 5 p.m. with a break for lunch. Those taking the course as a prerequisite to obtain the state concealed carry permit must stay for the entire course. Those wishing to attend simply for informational purposes can leave at any time. All participants must bring a handgun in good working condition, 50 rounds of ammunition, eye protection (sunglasses or eyeglasses are sufficient), and ear protection (muffs or plugs).
The course is free, but online registration is required in advance due to the limited class size. Go to LPSO.net/classes to register for this course online. For more information, contact Captain John Champagne at (985) 449-4481 or by email at john-champagne@lpso.net.
ABOUT CONCEALED CARRY IN LOUISIANA:
Louisiana law allows persons age 18 or older to carry a firearm concealed within the state without obtaining a permit or training. The law only applies to those not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm by any state or federal law. The law also only applies within the state of Louisiana and is not reciprocal to other states. To carry concealed in those states with existing reciprocity laws, you must still obtain a concealed carry permit from the State of Louisiana.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Raceland man for attempted murder. Amos Washington, 41, was arrested on Sunday.
Just after 3:30 p.m. on March 1, 2026, deputies responded to Morristown Road in Raceland. Washington was arguing with another man when he armed himself with a handgun and fired two shots in the other man’s direction. The other man was not struck, but he retreated inside his residence. Washington left the scene.
Deputies located Washington a short time later, and he was placed under arrest. He was charged with attempted second degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bail is set at $300,000.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of an Alabama man for cybercrimes following a joint investigation with the FBI. Landen Westfall, 24, of Athens, Alabama, has been booked on charges including criminal assistance to suicide, indecent behavior with a juvenile, and child pornography.
The investigation began in late October 2025, when juvenile detectives learned of a teenage girl who had sent nude images of herself to Westfall and that he had also encouraged her to harm herself. The two initially interacted online while playing Roblox, an online virtual game that allows multiple players to chat during gameplay. This led to conversations on other platforms and eventually video calls, but Westfall reportedly became verbally abusive and threatening toward her. He allegedly coerced the victim into cutting herself, and he also encouraged her to take her own life on two occasions.
With the help of the FBI’s Birmingham Field Office and the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, investigators obtained evidence and a warrant for Westfall’s arrest. He was initially taken into custody on February 9, 2026, in Alabama. He was later transported to Lafourche Parish and booked into the Correctional Complex on two counts of criminal assistance to suicide, 261 counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile, and 15 counts of pornography involving a juvenile. Bail is set at $750,000.
Sheriff Webre encourages parents to take an active role in the lives of their children, especially when it comes to online activity. “If you are going to allow your child to use the internet or games where they can interact with strangers, you must take an active role in monitoring their activity,” said Sheriff Webre. “Talk with your children about the dangers of online predators and be sure you have access to all their accounts, even games. You must also educate yourself on popular ways that children try to hide information, photos or video on devices. Having such access is not an invasion of your child’s privacy – it’s being a responsible parent.”
“Also remember that things created for kids – such as Roblox – can sometimes be exploited by predators,” said Sheriff Webre. “Just because something is ‘made for kids’ doesn’t mean you should blindly trust it.”
The FBI’s investigation is continuing, and federal charges are pending.
“Crime knows no boundaries, and neither should we. Through strong partnerships and seamless collaboration, we unite to protect our children online and provide our law enforcement partners with the technical expertise and tools necessary to safeguard every community,” said David R. Fitzgibbons, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Birmingham. “Together, we are stronger, smarter, and more relentless in our pursuit of justice.”
For more information on the dangers of cybercrime, including tips for parents, please visit www.LPSO.net/Cybercrime.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course on March 24-26, 2026, at the Larose-Cut Off Middle School, located at 13356 West Main Street in Larose.
This self-defense course, designed for women, will take place over three days. The class will begin at 6 p.m. and end around 9:30 p.m. each day. Participants must attend all three days. Course instruction will be provided by certified R.A.D. instructors from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The course costs $10 to cover course materials and is non-refundable. Class size is limited, and advance registration is required. You can register and pay for the course online at www.LPSO.net/classes. The class registration deadline is March 20, 2026, at 6 p.m.
For more information, please contact Lucie Morvant at (985) 446-2367 or email LPSOacademy@lpso.net.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced an employee of a Lockport business has been arrested for embezzling over $100,000 from the company. Marcus Smith, 50, of New Orleans, is charged with multiple counts of felony theft.
Last week, the owner of a Lockport business met with detectives after finding an employee had stolen thousands of dollars. The investigation revealed Smith had authorized 28 payments to himself dating back to 2023, coinciding with a monthly payment from an outside company. Of those, 27 of the checks were for amounts over $1,000. The total of all 28 checks was over $100,000. When confronted by the owner, the employee apologized for his actions and claimed he would pay back the money, but he never did. Following the investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for Smith’s arrest.
On February 11, 2026, Smith was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with 27 counts of felony theft and one count of misdemeanor theft. Bail is set at $405,000.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Galliano man for sex crimes involving two female victims. Davery Gaspard, 39, faces several charges following the investigation.
On February 3, 2026, detectives began investigating allegations of rape involving Gaspard. The investigation uncovered evidence of an incident that had occurred in 2025 in which Gaspard had forceful sexual contact with a woman against her will. During the course of the investigation, detectives discovered a second woman who was a victim of sexual battery by Gaspard, including one incident in which he held her against her will. Following the investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for Gaspard’s arrest.
Gaspard was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. He was charged with third degree rape, three counts of sexual battery, and false imprisonment. Bail is set at $330,000.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Golden Meadow man found to be mailing fraudulent checks around the country. Clint Cheramie, 48, is charged with multiple counts of monetary instrument abuse.
In January 2026, detectives opened an investigation after a local business received several envelopes marked as returned to sender. The envelopes contained checks made out to people from several states, made from company and personal accounts. Further investigation revealed dozens of such checks were mailed from a local post office. Investigators traced 22 of those back to Cheramie with fraudulent checks totaling over $80,000. Detectives then obtained a search warrant for Cheramie’s residence. On February 5, 2026, detectives conducted a search at Cheramie’s home and found dozens of additional fake checks and envelopes labeled and prepared to be mailed out, totaling nearly $200,000. They also found materials and tools used for printing and mailing the fake checks and labels.
Cheramie was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with 22 counts of monetary instrument abuse. Bail is set at $220,000.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will join other local law enforcement agencies in participating in the statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which runs through the Mardi Gras season – February 6-17, 2026. The campaign is coordinated and funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
A DWI checkpoint will be conducted as part of the campaign. The checkpoint will begin on the evening of Friday, February 6, 2026, and will continue into the early morning hours of Saturday, February 7. During the checkpoint, deputies will be looking for drivers who are possibly impaired while checking for other traffic safety issues.
According to NHTSA, about 34 people in the United States die each day in drunk-driving crashes. That’s one person every 42 minutes. These deaths are all preventable. In order to raise awareness and deter impaired driving incidents, deputies will be assigned to highly visible, saturated patrol efforts to specifically target impaired drivers and help keep motorists safe.
Sheriff Webre reminds citizens to have a plan to get home safely before deciding to drink. Whether you are attending a parade or party, or drinking at an establishment, 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 wishes everyone a safe and happy Mardi Gras!
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre has announced applications are now being accepted for the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association annual scholarship for 2026. All eligible students in Lafourche Parish are encouraged to apply.
The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school student who attends Nicholls State University or Fletcher Technical Community College. An applicant must be a permanent resident of Lafourche Parish and must be eligible for admission to the school indicated on the application. The award will only be paid for attendance at one of the aforementioned qualifying institutions as a full-time, undergraduate student. The scholarship is awarded as a gift, not a loan, and is awarded to defray the rising costs of tuition and related expenses in higher education. There are no restrictions on the purposes for which the scholarship is spent.
Applications are available for download online at www.LPSO.net/scholarship. Completed applications can be turned in at any Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office location or mailed to Captain Brennan Matherne, P.O. Box 5608, Thibodaux, LA 70302. Applications can also be emailed to Captain Matherne at brennan-matherne@lpso.net. All applications must be received by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office no later than April 1, 2026. An independent selection committee will review the applications and select a winner to be announced in May. There are no restrictions on applicants by reason of race, creed, color, age, or national origin. Family members of Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office employees are also eligible to apply.
The Louisiana Sheriffs’ Scholarship Program awards scholarships in all 64 parishes, providing assistance to worthy Louisiana students in furthering their education and training with resources made available through the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Honorary Membership Program.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Lockport Chief of Police David Harrelson announced five people were arrested as a result of a narcotics operation in Lockport.
Narcotics agents had been investigating reports of illegal drug activity at the residence of Robert “Bobbie” Adams,” 61, on Fourth Street in Lockport. They obtained an arrest warrant for Adams for distribution of Valium and a search warrant for the residence. On January 30, 2026, accompanied by the Lockport Police Department, agents went to the residence to conduct the search. They encountered Adams and three others at the residence. During the search, agents discovered a variety of illegal drugs. Adams was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was booked on the warrant and charged with maintaining a structure for narcotics use and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was also charged with possession of marijuana, diazepam, clonazepam, and drug paraphernalia. Bail is set at $165,000.
The other three individuals, all of Lockport, were also arrested:
Amy Adams, 43: possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of marijuana, diazepam, clonazepam, and drug paraphernalia (bail not yet set);
Ellen Shea, 64: possession of heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia ($40,000 bail); and
Sherry Daggy, 63: possession of methamphetamine ($15,000 bail).
Agents had also obtained an arrest warrant for Seth Uzee for distribution of methamphetamine and a search warrant for his residence on Louana Lane in Raceland. On January 30, agents also went to his residence and found more narcotics. They also found 11 firearms and ammunition which he was prohibited from possessing due to a protective order. Uzee was arrested and booked on the warrant. He was also charged with 12 counts of violation of a protective order, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, as well as possession of marijuana, Xanax, and Adderall. Bail has not yet been set.
Citizens are reminded that they can report any drug-related or suspicious activity. Information can be reported directly to the Narcotics Section commander, Lieutenant Adam Dufrene, at (985) 532-4365 or adam-dufrene@lpso.net. Information can also be reported anonymously through Bayou Region Crime Stoppers at 1-800-743-7433, at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips mobile app.
