Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

UPDATE: Crime Stoppers Tip Leads to Arrest for Raceland Vehicle Burglaries

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a tip submitted to Crime Stoppers Bayou Region led to an arrested for recent vehicle burglaries in the Raceland area. Tyler Holmes, 20, of Thibodaux is charged with several counts of burglary and attempted burglary.

On October 19, 2018, detectives began investigating a string of burglaries and attempted burglaries of vehicles along Aspen Drive and Elm Drive in Raceland. A male suspect was captured on several surveillance cameras burglarizing or attempting to burglarize vehicles on those streets. In all, detectives found evidence the suspect had entered six vehicles to steal items and attempted to enter four others which were locked.

On October 23, 2018, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office released surveillance video and images of the suspect to the public. Several anonymous tips were submitted to Crime Stoppers Bayou Region identifying the suspect as Tyler Holmes. After confirming the identity with multiple sources, detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On Tuesday, November 13, detectives made contact with Holmes, and he was arrested. Holmes was charged with six counts of Simple Burglary and four counts of Attempted Simple Burglary. His bond is set at $80,000.

Donations Being Accepted for 25th Annual LPSO Christmas Bicycle Giveaway

Sheriff Craig Webre announced that donations are still being accepted for the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office’s 25th annual Christmas Bicycle Giveaway. More than 4,200 bicycles have been distributed to needy children in our area. In 2017, 100 bikes were delivered to children throughout Lafourche Parish. Donations are accepted year-round, and used bicycles are refurbished and repaired by inmate workers.

Sheriff Webre asks that any bicycles donated at this time be either brand new or in need of only minor repairs due to the giveaway taking place next month. Monetary donations are also accepted, and checks should be made payable to the Lafourche Deputies Association with the words “Bike Giveaway” in the memo line. Bicycles and monetary donations may be dropped off at any Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office location through the parish.

“I want to thank the generous people of Lafourche Parish who have made this program possible for 25 years,” said Sheriff Webre. “Thanks to your donations, we have brought a little Christmas joy to thousands of children over the years. In many cases, this was the only gift, or most significant gift, these children received.”

Beginning December 3, 2018, any Lafourche Parish parent with a child in need can submit their child’s name, age, gender, address, phone number, and other qualifying information by calling (985) 632-8836. Due to high demand, requests should be limited to no more than two bicycles per family. The children must also live in Lafourche Parish.

2018 Tax Notices Being Sent to Property Owners

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will send out 40,923 tax notices this week to Lafourche Parish property owners. An additional 11,521 properties are homestead exempt, and no taxes are owed. A total of $117,668,444.64 in property taxes are now due and can be paid online, in person, or by mail. These taxes help fund all aspects of public service in the parish such as roads, drainage, levees, law enforcement, fire departments, hospitals, ambulance services, schools, and recreation.

Property taxes are due by December 31, 2018, and unpaid taxes become delinquent on January 1, 2019. Per state law, delinquent taxes accrue interest at a rate of 1% per month until paid.

FULL PAYMENTS: Payments can be made in full online at www.LPSO.net/PayMyTaxes. Full payments via cash, credit card, debit card, check, or money order can also be made at the LPSO Administrative Office (200 Canal Boulevard, Thibodaux) and at the South Lafourche Sub-station (102 West 91st Street, Cut Off). A surcharge will apply for all card payments. For added convenience, customers of the following banks may pay their taxes at any Lafourche branch of their bank through December 31, 2018: First American Bank, South Lafourche Bank, State Bank & Trust, United Community Bank, and Whitney Bank. Payments can also be mailed to Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, P.O. Box 679538, Dallas, TX 75267-9538. This is a special address for mailing in tax payments because of a new process.

PARTIAL PAYMENTS: For those unable to pay in full by December 31, 2018, partial payments can be made by mail to P.O. Box 5608, Thibodaux, LA 70302, or in person at the aforementioned LPSO offices. Each partial payment must be at least 25% of the total amount of property tax due, and the first partial payment must be made prior to December 31, 2018. The remaining unpaid amount is still subject to the 1% monthly penalty per state law.

All unpaid taxes will accrue additional costs associated with the tax sale. If the property is sold at the tax sale, the property owner is subject to loss of the homestead exemption. Property sold at the tax sale may be redeemed up to three years from the date the property is sold, but per state law, a 5% penalty will apply as well as a monthly interest rate of 1%. The owner must contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office to redeem the property.

Any unpaid taxes on movable/inventory property may cause the property in questions to be seized and sold at auction or a writ may be sought to levy the property owner’s bank account for the amount of taxes owed.

The current property owner is responsible for all taxes due. Anyone who purchased property in 2018 may not receive a tax bill due to it being sent to the previous owner. Homeowners with mortgages should check with their mortgage company before making a payment as those companies generally collect escrow and pay property taxes on behalf of the property owner. Please check whether your mortgage company will make your tax payment before you make a separate payment directly to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Questions regarding property ownership and assessment should be directed to the Lafourche Parish Assessor’s Office at (985) 447-7242. For more information about tax payments, property owners can contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 449-4431.

Chackbay Man Arrested after Agents Find Drugs, Weapons, and Cash at His Residence

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Chackbay man after narcotics agents found drugs, weapons, and cash at his residence. Justin Zeringue, 24, was arrested following the search.

Through the course of an investigation, narcotics agents obtained a search warrant for Zeringue’s residence on Meadow View Court in Chackbay. On Wednesday, November 7, agents arrived at the residence and made contact with Zeringue. During a search of the residence, agents seized 135 grams of suspected high-grade marijuana and more than 50 packages of substances containing THC concentrate. They also seized 36 Xanax pills, 30 hydrocodone pills, two semi-automatic handguns, approximately $1,300 in cash, and a large amount of drug paraphernalia. Agents also discovered two large bottles containing suspected promethazine and 11 empty bottles which once contained the legend drug.

Zeringue was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux. He was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Hydrocodone, Xanax, Marijuana and Legend Drugs. He was also charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Illegal Carrying of a Weapon in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. Zeringue was released early Thursday morning after posting $65,200 bond.

Larose Man Charged with First Degree Rape of Teenager

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Larose man has been charged with first degree rape of a teenager following an investigation. Johnny Moore Jr. was arrested and booked on November 7, 2018.

On October 31, 2018, juvenile detectives began investigating a complaint that Moore had inappropriate sexual contact with a teenage girl. On Wednesday, November 7, detectives made contact with Moore, and he admitted to having sexual contact with the teenager. Due to the circumstances of the incident, Moore was charged with First Degree Rape.

Moore was booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center. He was charged with First Degree Rape and additionally booked on an outstanding warrant for Contempt of Court. His bond is set at $500,500.

UPDATE: No Evidence of Foul Play Found in Metairie Woman’s Death

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported no evidence of foul play has been discovered in the death of a Metairie woman whose body was found in Raceland. The body of Mia West, 43, was discovered near a sugar cane field on October 13, 2018.

West was reported missing in Jefferson Parish on October 7, 2018. Six days later, on October 13, a sugar cane farmer located an abandoned car in a field along LA Highway 307 in Raceland, and it was later determined to belong to West. The Lafourche Parish Interagency Crisis Management Unit responded and began conducting an extensive search of the area. Supported by a helicopter from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, West’s body was located in a nearby wooded area. An autopsy conducted on Monday, October 15 in Jefferson Parish confirmed her identity, but the date and manner of her death could not be determined.

Investigators have not found any evidence of foul play in West’s death. Investigators have, however, discovered evidence that West may have committed suicide. This includes evidence recovered from West’s cell phone and interviews with friends and family.

The investigation into her death is continuing as detectives are still reviewing forensic evidence, medical reports, and tips. Anyone with any information on Mia West’s death 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 using the P3 Tips app on your mobile device. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.

Copper Parts Stolen from KLEB-AM Radio Transmitter Site

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are investigating the theft of copper tubing and other parts from a local radio station’s transmitter site in Golden Meadow.

On Sunday, November 4, deputies and detectives responded to East Main Street in Golden Meadow in reference to a theft at the radio transmitter site of the KLEB-AM radio station. Investigators learned an air conditioning unit had been dismantled, and the copper parts had been removed. Copper grounding wire had also been stolen from the site. In all, investigators estimate 40-50 pounds of copper had been stolen, resulting in thousands of dollars of damage.

Anyone who may have any information on this case 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 using the P3 Tips app on your mobile device. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.

Thibodaux Man Facing Several Narcotics Charges Following Traffic Stop

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Thibodaux Man found with a variety of narcotics during a traffic stop. Audell Young, 29, faces several charges following the incident.

Just after 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 1, narcotics agents conducted a traffic stop on a car traveling on Karla Drive in Thibodaux. The driver stopped at a residence in the 400 block of Karla Drive. Agents identified the driver as Audell Young and detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A K-9 unit arrived on scene and alerted to the possible presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, agents discovered over 105 grams of suspected marijuana. They also recovered various pills including MDMA, hydrocodone, Xanax, and a drug only available by prescription, as well as various drug paraphernalia.

As agents located the narcotics, Young attempted to flee, but he was quickly apprehended and transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center for booking. During a search of his person at the Detention Center, correctional officers discovered more suspected marijuana.

Agents also obtained a search warrant for the Karla Drive residence where Young had stopped. As a result of a search of the residence, agents seized an additional 270 grams of suspected marijuana, as well as another dose of MDMA, $1,344 in cash, and a handgun.

Young was booked on charges including Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Hydrocodone, Xanax, and MDMA, as well as Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Legend Drug, Resisting an Officer, Taking Contraband to a Penal Institution, and illegal tint. His bond is set at $55,850.

Transitional Work Program Inmate Charged with Escape after Leaving Assignment

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Transitional Program Work inmate has been charged after escaping from his work site for several hours on Thursday. David Le, 33, of Westwego is currently in custody in West Feliciana Parish.

Le was working for a marine towing company and was stationed on a boat docked along the Mississippi River in central Louisiana. He had been assigned to that boat since September 4, 2018. He was last seen by the boat captain at 2 a.m. on Thursday, November 1. When he did not rise for work, a crew member was sent to his cabin at 10 a.m., and he was not present. The crew searched the boat, but they were unable to locate Le.

At around 4 p.m. on Thursday, deputies with the West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office located Le hiding in another boat approximately 200 yards from his assigned boat. He was taken into custody and booked into the West Feliciana Parish Detention Center. He is awaiting transfer to Lafourche Parish where he will be booked with Simple Escape.

Le had been assigned to the Transitional Work Program since November 2017. Le was serving time for a Simple Burglary conviction in Jefferson Parish in 2017. He was scheduled to be released in March 2021.

Thibodaux Man Arrested for Sixth DWI Offense – His Second in a Month

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Thibodaux man has been charged with his second DWI offense in one month. This is the third DWI offense for Craig Uggen, 58, since 2011 and his sixth overall.

At around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30, a deputy was at a convenience store on LA Highway 3185 in Thibodaux when he observed Uggen drive up to the store. The deputy knew Uggen had a suspended driver’s license because he had arrested him for DWI on October 1, 2018. After Uggen walked into the store, he approached the cashier’s counter where the deputy was standing. The deputy detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Uggen’s breath, and he was exhibiting signs of possible intoxication. The deputy followed Uggen outside and made contact with him. Uggen submitted to a field sobriety test on which he performed poorly. A breathalyzer test showed him to have a blood alcohol content of .260g%.

In addition to his arrest in October, Uggen had also been charged with a (DWI 4th Offense) in February 2011. Per Louisiana R.S. 14:98, Uggen was arrested and charged with DWI (3rd Offense) due to this being his third offense in a ten-year period. He was also charged with driving under suspension. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux, and his bond is set at $10,500.