Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Rape Aggression Defense Course for Women Slated for September in Raceland

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course on September 24, 25, and 26, 2018, at LPSO Range Facility, located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland.

This self-defense course is designed exclusively for women and will take place over the course of all three days. The class will begin at 6 p.m. and end around 9 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 cost of the course is $10 to cover the cost of course materials. Class size is limited, and advance registration is required. You can register online here: www.LPSO.net/RADsignup. Payment cannot be made through the online sign-up form, but the fee must be pre-paid and is non-refundable. Please send payment by mail, along with your name, address, and phone number to Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, Attn: Captain Lafate Day, 1300 Lynn Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301. Please make checks payable to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. The deadline to register for the class is Friday, September 21, 2018 at 11 a.m.

For more information, please contact Captain Lafate Day at (985) 449-4485 or by email at lafate-day@lpso.net.

Thibodaux Man Arrested after Beating a Man and Threatening to Shoot Others

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Thibodaux man was arrested after knocking a man unconscious and then brandishing a firearm threatening to shoot others in the vicinity. Eric Sylvester, 26, was arrested shortly after the incident which occurred on Thursday, August 17.

At around 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, deputies responded to Winder Road East in Thibodaux in reference to a man pointing a gun at another. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a man lying unconscious on the ground. They learned he had been repeatedly punched in the face by a male suspect who had also pointed a gun at others, threatening to shoot. Due to the severity of the injuries discovered by EMTs, the victim was airlifted to University Medical Center in New Orleans. After obtaining a description of the suspect and the vehicle in which he was traveling, deputies located and made contact with the suspect, and he was identified as Eric Sylvester. Deputies observed a semi-automatic handgun on his front passenger seat.

Sylvester was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center. He was charged with Aggravated Assault with a Firearm and Second Degree Battery. His bond is set at $10,000.

Cut Off Drug Dealer Arrested Following Search of Residence

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a suspected Cut Off drug dealer was arrested Friday after narcotics agents found over $5,000 of drugs and weapons at his residence. Russell Mathieu faces several charges including possession and distribution of narcotics.

Through investigation, narcotics agents obtained drug distribution warrants on Mathieu. On Friday, August 10, agents executed a search warrant at Mathieu’s East 102nd Street residence in Cut Off. Upon arrival, agents made contact with Mathieu, and he was taken into custody. During the search of the residence, agents seized approximately 64 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 42.2 grams of suspected marijuana, 13.6 grams of suspected heroin, 15 doses of Suboxone, 23 Valium (diazepam) pills, 5 hydrocodone pills, and 49 other pills available only by prescription. The street value of the drugs seized is approximately $5,490. Agents also seized various drug paraphernalia, approximately $1,400 in cash, an AK-47, a shotgun, and a revolver that was found to have been stolen in Golden Meadow. Mathieu admitted to agents that he was a drug dealer, and he admitted to owning all of the items found at the residence.

Mathieu was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux on warrants for two counts of Distribution of Heroin, two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine, and one count of Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia. He was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Marijuana, Heroin, Suboxone, Diazepam, and Hydrocodone. He was also charged with Possession of a Legend Drug without a Prescription, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Illegal Carrying of a Weapon in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. His bond is set at $302,000.

William Hebert Sr., 61, of Cut Off was also present at the time of the search, and agents found he had an outstanding warrant for Contempt of Court. He was arrested and booked with Contempt of Court. His bond is set at $500.

Agents say the investigation into Mathieu is continuing.

Sheriff Webre Announces Plans for Upcoming Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will join other local law enforcement agencies in participating in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign which runs August 17 through September 3, 2018. The campaign is coordinated and funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Additional deputies will be assigned to saturated patrol efforts to target impaired drivers and help keep motorists safe. There will also be several checkpoints held in conjunction with the campaign. A seat belt checkpoint will be conducted during the evening hours of Friday, August 17, followed immediately by a DWI checkpoint which will continue into the early morning hours of Saturday, August 18. There will also be daytime seat belt checkpoints on Thursday, August 23, and Thursday, August 30.

During the seat belt checkpoints, deputies will be checking motorists for seat belt and safety seat violations, as well as other violations such as expired inspection tags. During the DWI checkpoint, deputies will be looking for drivers who are possibly impaired while checking for other traffic safety issues, including but not limited to seat belt usage. Lafourche Parish is 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.

Sheriff Craig Webre reminds citizens to have a plan to get home safely before you decide to drink. 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 also thanks citizens for their cooperation and patience when passing through these checkpoints and for recognizing the importance of raising awareness for safety issues.

Deputies Investigating Raceland Storage Unit Burglary

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the persons involved in the burglary of one storage unit and attempted burglary of another.

On the afternoon of August 7, 2018, deputies responded to a storage unit facility on LA Highway 1 in Raceland in reference to a burglary. Deputies learned a lock had been cut and removed from one of the storage units, although nothing appeared to be missing. Deputies also discovered that someone had attempted to cut the lock on another unit. Upon reviewing surveillance video at the location, deputies witnessed two subjects in a maroon-colored Ford F-150 truck. One of the subjects, a white male, is seen exiting the truck, cutting a lock, and burglarizing the storage unit. He was also seen walking from the area of the other unit with a large bolt cutter before leaving the scene.

Deputies are asking for your assistance in this case. Anyone who can identify the suspects, or anyone with any other information on this crime, 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.

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Free Hunter Safety Courses Slated for August 2018

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a FREE Hunter Education Classroom Course and a Hunter Education Field Day in December for anyone ages 10 or older.

CLASSROOM COURSE:

The traditional “Classroom Course” is a two-day course covering topics such as hunter responsibility and ethics, how firearms work and firearms safety, survival and first aid skills, firearm handling skills and hunting techniques, wildlife identification, game care, and information related to wildlife conservation and management. The next Classroom Course will be offered Saturday, August 25 through Sunday, August 26, 2018. The first day will be the classroom portion from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lafourche Parish Government Mathews Complex, located at 4876 Highway 1. The class will resume the following day from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the LPSO Shooting Range located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. Participants must attend BOTH days of the class and pass a written and practical exam to be certified. Class size is limited. Advance registration is required. CLICK HERE to register for this course.

FIELD DAY:

As an alternative to the two-day course, a Home Study Course is available online through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website. Those who complete the home study course MUST take their completion voucher to a “Field Day” to complete their hunter education. The next Field Day will be offered on Wednesday, August 22, 2017, from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the LPSO Shooting Range. Entry to the Field Day will be denied unless the completed forms are presented. There will be a written test required to complete the Field Day. Class size is limited. Advance registration is required. CLICK HERE to register for the Field Day.

Firearms and ammunition should NOT be brought to any of the courses, but snacks are permitted. For more information, or for assistance with online registration, call the LPSO Training Academy at (985) 387-4480 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email Lieutenant Nolan Smith at nolan-smith@lpso.net.

*Anyone born after September 1, 1969, who wishes to obtain a hunting license in Louisiana, must successfully complete a hunter education course. Exceptions may be granted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for active or veteran members of the United States armed services, for any P.O.S.T.-certified law enforcement officer, or for persons who are under the direct supervision of a person 18-years or older who is already licensed and has taken the approved course. Exceptions must be applied for and approved by Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Seat Belt Checkpoints Slated for August 8 and 15

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct seat belt checkpoints in Lafourche Parish during the daytime hours of August 8, 2018, and August 15, 2018. During these checkpoints, 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.

Thibodaux Man Arrested for Charges Including First Degree Rape and Aggravated Incest

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Thibodaux man has been arrested for charges including rape and incest. Scott Hebert, 33, was arrested on Wednesday, August 1, following an investigation.

On July 29, 2018, juvenile detectives were notified about allegations in reference to Hebert having sexual contact with a juvenile relative. Following an investigation, detectives obtained warrants for Hebert’s arrest.

Detectives made contact with Hebert on August 1, and he was arrested on the active warrants. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux on charges of First Degree Rape, Aggravated Incest, and Cruelty to Juveniles. His bond is set at $1.1 million.

Due to the nature of the allegations, no further details can be released.

Burglary at Cut Off Daiquiri Shop under Investigation

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for a burglary at a daiquiri shop in Cut Off.

On the morning of Monday, July 30, investigators responded to a burglary complaint at Royal Daiquiris, located at 387 Highway 3161 in Cut Off. Upon entering the business that morning, the owner discovered a window had been busted. The owner also discovered poker machines and an ATM machine were damaged and money had been removed from the poker machines. The power to the building had been shut off and the phones lines had also been disconnected. Investigators learned a worker left the business at around 2:20 a.m. that morning. The burglary occurred between that time and approximately 8:30 a.m.

Anyone who may have information on this case 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 by 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.

Royal Daiquiris Burglary 07302018 — Royal Daiquiris Burglary

UPDATE: Thibodaux Man Faces New Charge after Second Sex Crime Victim Comes Forward

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a man arrested last month for a sexual encounter with a teenage girl faces an additional charge after a second victim came forward. Duane Reisner, 43, of Thibodaux now faces multiple charges in the two incidents.

Reisner was arrested on June 28, 2018, and he was charged with Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile after detectives learned he had sexual contact with a teenage girl. After further investigation, detectives learned two other adults were present at the time of the incident. Detectives charged Brandy Guidry, 39, of Houma with Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile for also having sexual contact with the girl. Spencer Adams, 20, of Thibodaux was charged with Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile for reportedly participating in lewd acts. Detectives learned alcohol was purchased and provided for the teenager, and all three were subsequently charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile.

Since that time, a second teenage female victim came forward in reference to an incident with Reisner. Following an investigation, detectives obtained another warrant. Reisner was additionally booked with Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile. His total bond is now set at $135,000.