Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported a one-year-old boy has died as a result of a suspected drowning in a swimming pool on June 30, 2018. Riley Bourgeois of Mathews was pronounced dead on July 2, 2018.
Just around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, deputies responded to a residence in the 200 block of Superior Drive in Mathews in reference to a child, identified as Bourgeois, possibly having drowned in a pool. LPSO deputies, local firefighters, and a Trooper from Louisiana State Police arrived on scene and rushed to the child’s location where a bystander was already administering CPR. Deputies took over CPR efforts upon arriving at the scene while awaiting ambulatory services. Bourgeois was then airlifted to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans for treatment. He remained in critical condition until he passed away Monday night, July 2. While drowning is the suspected cause of death, the official cause of death will later be determined.
Investigators learned Bourgeois and his family were attending an event at a neighbor’s residence. Bourgeois had been playing with a friend. At one point, adults began searching for Bourgeois, and he was found unresponsive in a swimming pool at the residence. The pool area was fenced in, but surveillance video showed Bourgeois was able to open a gate on the fence to gain access to the swimming pool area.
Riley Bourgeois passed away just days before his second birthday on July 8.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of Brian Curole Jr., 23, of Lockport on June 30, 2018. Narcotics agents were traveling in the area of Comeaux Drive in Lockport at around 5:20 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, when they observed Curole driving on the street. Knowing Curole to have an active warrant for his arrest, agents turned around to make contact with him. Curole parked his vehicle in a driveway and ran inside a residence. Before going inside, agents observed Curole discard something in the backyard of the residence. Agents established a perimeter outside the residence, and after a few minutes, Curole surrendered without further incident. As Curole was taken into custody, agents noticed he had a large amount of cash in his possession. Agents also searched the backyard and discovered over 16 grams of marijuana and more than 80 doses of Xanax (alprazolam). Curole admitted to agents the narcotics belonged to him. Agents seized the drugs as well as nearly $3,500 in cash. Curole was booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux on the Contempt of Court warrant. He was also charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Xanax and Marijuana, Obstruction of Justice, and Resisting an Officer. His bond is set at $67,500.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced two more people have been arrested for their involvement in a sexual encounter involving a Thibodaux man and a teenage girl. Brandy Guidry, 39, of Houma and Spencer Adams, 20, of Thibodaux now also face charges in the incident. These arrests come after Duane Reisner, 43, of Thibodaux was initially charged with Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile.
Juvenile detectives began an investigation on May 14, 2018, after the teenage girl’s father came forward with allegations. Following the investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for Reisner’s arrest. On June 28, 2018, Reisner was arrested and booked on the warrant for Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile. He remains in jail as his bond is set at $100,000.
Through further investigation, detectives learned two other individuals, Guidry and Adams, were present at the time of the incident. The investigation revealed that in addition to Reisner, Guidry also had sexual contact with the teenage girl. Detectives learned Adams was present at the time and participated in lewd acts involving the juvenile. They also learned alcohol was purchased and provided to the teenager during the incident.
Guidry was arrested and charged with Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile. She was booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux. Her bond is set at $60,000.
Adams was arrested and charged with Indecent Behavior with Juveniles and Contributing to the Delinquency of Juveniles. He was booked into the Detention Center, and he was subsequently released on Saturday, June 30 after posting $50,000 bond.
The investigation is continuing, and additional charges are possible.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Thibodaux man has been arrested for reportedly having sex with a teenage girl. Duane Reisner, 43, of Thibodaux is charged with Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile.
Juvenile detectives began an investigation on May 14, 2018, after the girl’s father came forward with allegations. Following the investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for Reisner’s arrest.
Detectives made contact with Reisner on Thursday, June 28. He was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center on the warrant for Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile. His bond is set at $100,000.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are searching for two persons of interest for questioning in reference to vehicle burglaries in Thibodaux.
Detectives are investigating several vehicle burglaries in the area of Millstone Drive in Thibodaux which occurred in June 2018. Through investigation, detectives discovered surveillance video showing two male subjects walking through a residential yard overnight near where one of the burglaries took place.
Detectives are seeking to identify and question these persons of interest in reference to the vehicle burglaries.
Anyone who may be able to identify the persons of interest 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.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced plans for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign which runs from June 29 through July 5, 2018, centered around the Independence Day holiday. The campaign is coordinated and funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
As part of the campaign efforts, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will assign additional deputies to saturated patrol efforts to target impaired drivers and help keep motorists safe. LPSO deputies will also assist Louisiana State Police with a DWI checkpoint scheduled during the campaign period in Lafourche Parish. In a new twist on DWI enforcement, deputies will also partner with other agencies, including Thibodaux Police Department and Louisiana State Police wherein officers from two agencies will ride in a single unit in an effort to better spot impaired drivers and remove them from the roadways.
Also during the campaign, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will also conduct its weekly seat belt checkpoint on Thursday, July 5. During this checkpoint, deputies will be checking motorists for seat belt and safety seat violations, as well as for proper inspection tags and other potential violations. These weekly checkpoints are designed to help raise awareness for these types of violations and make the highways of the parish safer for all motorists.
Sheriff Webre reminds citizens to designate a driver if you are going to drink. Motorists suspected of DWI who refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test will lose their driver’s license for one year (first offense). For a second offense, the penalty increases to two years. Anyone convicted of a DWI offense while their driver’s license is suspended because of another DWI offense will face automatic prison time. Lafourche Parish is also a “No Refusal” parish, meaning if a suspected drunk driver refuses a breathalyzer test, deputies will seek a search warrant to have that person’s blood tested.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a New Orleans man was arrested after attacking two men early Tuesday morning. Courtney Garnett, 23, faces charges, including attempted murder, in the incident.
Just after 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26, deputies responded to a parking lot of a public utility office located off LA Highway 1in Thibodaux in reference to an attack on an employee. Upon arrival, deputies found a male in his 20s had been stabbed multiple times in the face and neck. The victim was transported to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Through investigation, detectives learned a man, later identified as Courtney Garnett, attacked the male victim outside the building, stabbing him in the face multiple times with a knife. During the attack, another male employee saw what was taking place and rushed to assist. Garnett then rushed after the second employee and began striking him as well. The initial victim went to his vehicle and retrieved a firearm. As he did, Garnett left the other man, approached the first victim, and grabbed the weapon. As the two struggled over the gun, a single round was fired. Garnett then took the gun away from the victim and left the scene.
Meanwhile, responding deputies had located Garnett in a nearby field. During questioning, Garnett admitted to detectives that he was attempting to kill the first victim. The motive for the attack, however, is still under investigation.
Garnett was arrested and booked with Attempted Second Degree Murder and Aggravated Battery with a Dangerous Weapon. His bond is set at $250,000.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct a seat belt checkpoint in Lafourche Parish during the daytime hours of June 27, 2018. During this checkpoint, deputies will be checking motorists for seat belt and safety seat violations, as well as for proper inspection tags and other potential violations. Checkpoints are designed to help raise awareness for these types of violations and make the highways of the parish safer for all motorists.
National Command & Staff College Session #001 Class
Sheriff Craig Webre announced two Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office supervisors recently graduated from the first ever session of the National Command & Staff College. Major Roy Gros, Criminal Department Head, and Captain Cortrell Davis, warden of the Lafourche Parish Detention Center, were among the class of 34 law enforcement commanders who completed the course.
The International Academy of Public Safety, Inc. founded the course in collaboration with the National Sheriffs’ Association and the National Tactical Officers Association. The comprehensive 8-week course blends command and leadership programs. The program entailed over 62 comprehensive modules that focused on leadership theories and practices, futures and foresight, social media, recruitment, issues in policing, intelligence-based policing, restorative policing, ethics, diversity and inclusion, and leadership in organizations by armed forces. Students read seven books, participated in over 6,372 hours of course lectures, and wrote 48 essays each with case studies, discussion questions, and classroom simulations.
Sheriff Webre congratulated Major Gros and Captain Davis on their graduation. “These two men showed an eagerness to learn and a willingness to be better leaders for this organization and their community,” said Sheriff Webre. “This was no easy task. It was a grueling eight weeks as they participated in independent studies and attended classes, all in addition to their normal duties. I could not be prouder of their achievements.”
St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne, whose agency hosted the program’s first session, said, “The Command and Staff program is designed to develop star performers for our agencies and the communities we serve.”
“We are very proud to recognize these commanders as our session # 001 graduating class. They exemplify humility, wisdom, good humor, and understanding of effective leadership that lights the way for others to keep going”, said Dr. Anthony H. Normore, President of the National Command & Staff College.
“The demanding nature of the program is designed to promote a sense of true accomplishment among participants, which was evident during the graduation ceremony,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Wellington Scott, Chief Operating Officer of the National Command & Staff College.
The National Command & Staff College was founded in 2010 in a deliberate effort to develop MAGNUS Leaders through modern learning experiences that promote community safety, build mutual trust, maximize officer safety and wellness, foster star performance, and reduce liability and risks. As the leading center of excellence in professional development, we engage in the design and delivery of meaningful curriculum and learning experiences intended to benefit law enforcement officers and correctional deputies to effectively lead their agencies. Due to our collaborative efforts with public safety, we are doing noble work for America.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Raceland woman for stealing money from donation boxes at a church. Gabrielle Griffin, 34, of Raceland is charged with theft and property damage in the incident.
On the morning of Saturday, June 23, deputies responded to a church in Raceland in reference to someone having stolen money from donation boxes. Upon arrival, deputies learned a woman was captured on surveillance video breaking into a donation box in a candle room at the church at around 5:15 p.m. on June 21, 2018. Deputies also learned a “poor box” inside the church was also damaged and money had been stolen.
Through investigation, deputies identified the woman as Gabrielle Griffin. On the afternoon of Sunday, June 24, deputies located Griffin and questioned her about the incident. During questioning, Griffin admitted to breaking into the donation boxes to steal money.
Griffin was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux. She was charged with two counts of Simple Criminal Damage to Property and one count of Theft. Her bond is set at $2,000.
