Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Deputies Use Naloxone to Save Houma Woman’s Life

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported deputies saved the life of a Houma woman who had overdosed on heroin Wednesday night. This is the fifth person saved by Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies through the use of naloxone in as many months.

At around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, deputies responded to a medical emergency at a business establishment in Bayou Blue. Upon arrival, deputies found a female in her 20s lying on the ground and showing signs of a possible opioid overdose. The deputies learned the woman had taken heroin prior to their arrival. Deputies administered naloxone using an auto-injector. A short time later, the woman regained consciousness and was examined by medical personnel. She was transported to a local hospital for further treatment.

“Saving lives is part of our mission,” said Sheriff Craig Webre. “We will continue to battle the drug problem in our area, but in the meantime, we will also continue to save lives whenever possible. Our hope is that the family members of each son, daughter, wife, or husband we save use the incident as a wake-up call to get their loved one the help and treatment they need.”

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office obtained naloxone injectors at no cost to the agency in November 2017 from the Louisiana Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. After undergoing proper training, many deputies have now opted to carry the agency-issued naloxone injectors. Naloxone, which is sold under brand names such as Evzio and Narcan, is used as a temporary antidote to treat an opioid overdose.

Three Teens Arrested as Deputies Recover Guns Stolen in Thibodaux Vehicle Burglaries

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced three teenage males have been arrested in connection with an investigation into a string of vehicle burglaries in Thibodaux. Dezmonta Ellis, 18, Kobe Wilson, 17, and Rashad Frazier, 17, all of Thibodaux, face multiple charges in the case after deputies recovered five stolen guns in their possession.

On Thursday, May 31, deputies responded to multiple reports of vehicle burglaries in the Thibodaux area. After developing possible suspects in the case, deputies made contact with two men matching the suspects’ description on Thursday afternoon. They were later identified as Ellis and Wilson. Deputies discovered firearms in their possession which had been reported stolen in the vehicle burglaries. Investigators also learned a third suspect, Frazier, was in possession of two of the stolen firearms as well. Deputies were able to link all three teens to four vehicle burglaries.

Ellis and Wilson were arrested Thursday and charged with four counts each of Simple Burglary of a Motor Vehicle. Wilson was additionally charged with two counts of Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm. He was released on Friday, June 1 after posting $7,500 bond. Ellis was additionally booked with one count of Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm. He was released on Monday, June 4 after posting $7,500 bond.

Frazier surrendered to authorities on Friday, June 1. He was charged with four counts of Simple Burglary of a Motor Vehicle and two counts of Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm. He was additionally booked on a probation violation warrant for the City of Thibodaux. He is being held without bond.

The investigations into these crimes are continuing.

Seat Belt Checkpoint Slated for Thursday, June 7

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct a seat belt checkpoint in Lafourche Parish during the daytime hours of Thursday, June 7. 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.

Beginner Handgun Course Scheduled for July 7

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will offer a Beginner Handgun Course on Saturday, July 7, 2018, at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Shooting Range located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. This class is designed for first-time firearms owners and persons looking to learn basic fundamentals about firearm ownership. Class will begin at 8 a.m. and last until around noon. The actual ending time will vary due to class size.

This course will include the following:

Firearms handling and shooting safety
Firearms parts and their operation
Ammunition and its function
Shooting fundamentals and an opportunity to develop them on the range
How to select, clean, and store a firearm
Review of various activities available to help participants develop their shooting skills
One hour of live range fire with certified Range Safety instructor

The cost for the course is $50, and advance registration is suggested due to class size. CLICK HERE to register online, or for more information, contact Captain Lafate Day at (985) 449-4485 or by email at lafate-day@lpso.net. Participants will need to bring 50 rounds of ammunition, eye protection (sunglasses or eyeglasses are sufficient), and ear protection (muffs or plugs).

UPDATE: Second Suspect in April Attempted Murder and Armed Robbery in Custody

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a second suspect has been arrested in connection with an attempted murder and armed robbery in Gray in April 2018. Justen Harris, 21, of Houma turned himself in Thursday. Kyrie Verdin, 20, of Thibodaux was previously arrested in the incident and remains in jail. Detectives are still trying to identify two other male suspects in the incident.

At around 2:40 a.m. on April 12, 2018, deputies responded to the Cypress Court Trailer Park in Gray after learning two people had been shot. Upon arrival, deputies learned a 22-year-old male and an 18-year-old female were injured in the shooting. Investigators learned Verdin had contacted the female victim earlier in the evening and told her she would be stopping by the residence. Verdin traveled to the residence with Harris and the two other men who planned to rob the male victim. Verdin was the first to approach the residence, and she made contact with the female victim outside. Investigators learned Verdin pulled the female victim aside as Harris and the other two men entered the residence. All three men were wearing hooded sweatshirts, and at least one was armed with a handgun. They allegedly broke down the male victim’s bedroom door and fired multiple rounds at him. The male victim fired several rounds back at the suspects. The female victim was in another bedroom and was struck during the exchange of gunfire.

Following an investigation, detectives obtained warrants for Verdin and Harris for two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder and Attempted Armed Robbery. Verdin was taken into custody on later that day. She remains in jail in lieu of a $1.1 million bond.

Harris turned himself in to the Thibodaux Police Department on Thursday, May 31. He was booked on warrants for two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder and Attempted Armed Robbery with Use of a Firearm. His bond is set at $1.11 million.

Detectives are still seeking to identify the two other male suspects in this crime. Anyone with information 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.

SCAM ALERT: Be Cautious When Hiring Contractors

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking residents to be cautious when hiring contractors as detectives are investigating multiples instances of alleged contractor fraud.

To avoid becoming a victim, never make a large down payment to a contractor prior to any work beginning. If required to make any down payment, it should be minimal. Beware of a contractor requiring a large down payment in order to purchase materials to begin your project. You should make payments as work is completed, but never pay for incomplete work, and hold final payment until all work is completed. Never pay in cash.

Before hiring, verify a contractor is licensed by using the “contractor search” on www.LAcontractor.org. Only work with licensed contractors, and ask your contractor for three references in writing. Speak to the references and ask if they were satisfied with the contractor’s work and whether the contractor was on schedule.

Here are some additional tips when hiring a contractor from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors:

Plan your project. Detail what you want to have done and who you will need to complete it. No two projects are the same and may require a specially licensed contractor.
Get two or three estimates. When comparing estimates, don’t just compare the overall cost. Look at the cost and quality of materials, and be sure it includes total price and cost of materials.
Require a written contract. The contract should detail the description of work, material, and equipment to be installed. Be sure there is a timeline for payments and completion of work.
Monitor the work. Check in regularly on the progress of the work. Any and all permits should be displayed by the contractor while work is being done.

In addition to these tips, investigators say you should keep a file of all papers and documents pertaining to the project. This includes the contract, any written changes, all bills and invoices, receipts of payments, and all correspondence with your contractor. This should also include photos of the job in progress.

Citizens should beware of any contractor using scare tactics or high-pressure sales pitches, and door-to-door solicitations. Citizens should also be especially wary of contractors who demand cash, unusually large down payments, and verbal agreements.

Reward Offered in Case of Stolen Land Surveying Trailer

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the theft of a land surveying trailer recently stolen in Thibodaux.

On May 21, 2018, deputies responded to a complaint of a stolen trailer on LA Highway 20 in Thibodaux. Deputies learned the trailer was stolen sometime between May 19 to May 20, 2018. The trailer is used in land surveying and is valued at several thousand dollars.

Anyone with any knowledge of 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.

Raceland Man Charged with Solicitation of a Minor

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of Scott Chapman, 33, of Raceland on Friday, May 25. An investigation into Chapman began after a juvenile female reported receiving sexually explicit electronic messages in the form of a photo and text messages from Chapman. Following an investigation, a warrant was issued for Chapman’s arrest. Detectives made contact with Chapman on Friday, May 25, and he was taken into custody. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux with Computer-aided Solicitation of a Minor. He was released on Saturday afternoon after posting $25,000 bond.

Detectives Investigating Early Morning Armed Robbery in Raceland

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the four suspects responsible for an armed robbery in Raceland.

Just before 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29, deputies responded to a residence in the 400 block of St. Ann Street in Raceland in reference to an armed robbery. Four male subjects reportedly entered the residence. At least one of the men had a gun. Three were dressed in all black clothing, and one was wearing a green jacket. The subjects took cash and a cell phone from the victim.

Anyone with information about 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.

UPDATE: One Woman Shot in Golden Meadow Dies from Injuries

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced one of two women injured in Saturday’s shooting incident in Golden Meadow has died as a result of her injuries. Michelle Stone, 29, of Golden Meadow was pronounced dead at 11:25 a.m. on Sunday, May 27. The other female victim is currently in stable condition at University Medical Center in New Orleans. Stone was the girlfriend of Shane Billiot, 46, of Golden Meadow who shot and killed himself after allegedly shooting the two women.

Through investigation, detectives learned Billiot had become upset with The two women on Saturday, May 26. At one point, Billiot brandished a shotgun, and the two women ran from the residence and entered a truck in an attempt to flee. One of Stone and Billiot’s children also entered the truck. Billiot emerged from the residence and fired two rounds into the truck, striking both women. The child was not harmed.

The initial call of the shooting came in at 2:20 p.m., and deputies responded to West 223rd Street, just south of the limits of the Town of Golden Meadow. Upon the deputies’ arrival, The other female victim exited the truck and informed deputies of what had occurred. Moments later, Billiot shot himself in the head with the shotgun.

The women each sustained wounds to their head and neck and were transported to University Medical Center in New Orleans following the incident.