Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of Cody Walston and Megan Ellender, both of Houma, on Thursday, June 8.

At around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, deputies observed a car traveling at 96 miles per hour along LA Highway 182 in Raceland where the posted speed limit is 65 miles per hour. Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver continued, turning onto LA Highway 3087. The driver passed another car, and that second car accelerated attempting to catch up with the second car. At that point, deputies observed the second car to traveling at 118 miles per hour, and both cars refused to stop. Eventually, the first car continued into Terrebonne Parish, and the second car turned onto LA Highway 316 and continued about a half mile before finally pulling over.

The driver was identified as Cody Walston, and he was immediately taken into custody. The passenger initially gave a false name, but she was later identified as Megan Ellender. Ellender had an outstanding warrant for Issuing Worthless Checks, and she was taken into custody. She was found to have Suboxone and narcotics only available by prescription in her possession.

Both were arrested and transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux. Walston was charged with Aggravated Flight from an Officer and Drag Racing on Public Roads, as well as violations for speeding and window tint. His bond is set at $6,600. Ellender was booked on the outstanding warrant, and she was charged with Resisting an Officer and Possession of Suboxone and a Legend Drug. Her bond is set at $4,750.

Deputies are attempting to identify the other driver involved in the drag racing incident which is only described as a light-colored car, possibly an older model Chevrolet. Anyone who may have 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.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff announced a former Lafourche Parish resident has been charged with aggravated incest and sexual battery of a family member. William Patrick Gilliam (age 44) of Duenweg, Missouri, is currently in custody in that state.

In May 2017, juvenile detectives began an investigation after receiving a complaint about a family member having been sexually abused by Gilliam over the course of several years. The initial incident occurred approximately six years ago in Raceland, where Gilliam resided at the time. Through investigation, detectives learned Gilliam had inappropriate sexual contact with the victim in Lafourche Parish and other jurisdictions. Detectives obtained warrants for Gilliam’s arrest for Aggravated Incest and Sexual Battery (Forcible Fondling).

In late May, detectives learned Gilliam was in custody in Jasper County in Missouri where he faces additional charges. Detectives believe the juvenile is the sole victim of Gilliam’s abuse.

Due to the nature of the charges, no further details will be released at this time.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a third person wanted in connection with a Bayou Blue armed robbery is now in custody. Zachery Poindexter (age 21) of Raceland was arrested on Saturday night. Justin Housend (age 25) and Jadelin Cheramie (age 17), both of Raceland, had previously been arrested.

On Monday, May 29, deputies responded to a call of an armed robbery which occurred at a Bayou Blue apartment at around 10:30 a.m. that morning. Through investigation, deputies learned Cheramie had contacted a man, with whom she was familiar, and asked to stop by his apartment to use the restroom. The man agreed, and Cheramie arrived and entered the restroom. Moments later, Poindexter and Housend entered the apartment, and one of the men allegedly pointed a gun at the man and demanded money. They both reportedly punched the victim in the head and torso. When Cheramie emerged from the restroom, she did not intervene. Poindexter, Housend and Cheramie stole several hundred dollars and other items before fleeing the scene together.

Then on Tuesday, May 30, deputies located and arrested Housend and Cheramie. During questioning, they both admitted to their roles in the crime, and they were charged with one count each of Armed Robbery. Cheramie remains in jail in lieu of $100,000 bond. Housend’s bond is set at $150,000, and he is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.

At around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, deputies located Poindexter at an address on Ayo Street in Raceland, and he was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux where he was booked with Armed Robbery.  His bond is set at $150,000.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff announced a Transitional Work Program inmate and his girlfriend have been charged in a scheme to bring contraband into the facility for illegal sale. Inmate Mitchell Carrere (age 30) and Katie Billiot (age 29) of Houma were both charged following the investigation.

Supervisors at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office’s Transitional Work Program learned Carrere was allegedly selling Suboxone strips to others in the program. Investigators learned Billiot was obtaining Suboxone by prescription and delivering the drugs to Carrere by dropping them into the trash receptacle at the facility during visitation. Carrere, who was assigned to in-house janitorial duties, would then retrieve the drugs from the garbage. During the next visitation day, Billiot was captured on video throwing an item into the trash receptacle. That item was later recovered, and investigators discovered four Suboxone strips inside. During questioning, Carrere admitted to selling Suboxone at the facility. Detectives then obtained warrants for both Carrere and Billiot.

Carrere was transferred from the Transitional Work Program to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center where he was booked with Possession with the Intent to Distribute Suboxone and Taking Contraband to a Penal Institution.

Billiot was arrested on Thursday, June 1 and charged with Distribution of Suboxone and Taking Contraband to a Penal Institution. She was booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux, and she was subsequently released later that day after posting $15,000 bond.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced three people have been arrested after failing to provide medical attention to a toddler who suffered burns from melted wax. The child’s mother, Amber Cook (age 33) of Berwick, faces charges in the incident along with Francisco Perez (age 39) and Hilda Perez (age 43), both of Thibodaux.

On Wednesday, May 31, deputies responded to a residence in the 100 block of Park Drive in Thibodaux in reference to an unsupervised toddler found outside a residence who appeared to be burned on the arms and legs. Deputies located the child’s mother, Amber Cook, who indicated she was resting inside the residence and was unaware the child was outside. Cook indicated the burns were caused by hot wax from a wax burner falling on the child the previous night. Investigators learned Cook failed to seek medical attention despite the severity of the burns. She is currently staying with Francisco and Hilda Perez who were also aware of the incident and that the child needed medical attention but took no action. The child was transported by ambulance to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Following an investigation, Francisco and Hilda Perez were arrested Thursday, June 1. They were booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center with one count each of Cruelty to a Juvenile. Their bonds are set at $25,000 each.

Amber Cook was also arrested Thursday and charged with Cruelty to a Juvenile and Improper Supervision of a Minor by a Parent.  She was booked into the Detention Center, and her bond is set at $30,000. The toddler and Cook’s two other children have been taken into the custody of Louisiana Children and Family Services.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced four individuals have turned themselves in to authorities after being indicted by a Lafourche Parish Grand Jury on Wednesday as a result of two separate investigations. Lockport Chief of Police Warren Vedros Sr. (age 59) and Robert Barker Jr. (age 65), both of Lockport, face charges stemming from one investigation. Former Lafourche Parish Council member Michael Delatte Sr. (age 60) and Kemitra Banks (age 40), both of Choctaw, face charges in the other investigation.

A Town of Lockport audit in December 2016 uncovered a potential issue with the purchase of a Ford Explorer by the Lockport Police Department in October 2015. Vedros provided the auditor with minutes he allegedly altered from a Lockport Town Council meeting, as well as documents allegedly forged by Barker, to support the vehicle purchase. Vedros and Barker are both charged in connection with this incident. Vedros also faces charges relating to vendor permits for the Krewe of Apollo parade wherein he reported an amount several hundred dollars less than he actually received from one of the vendors.

Vedros also faces charges in connection to several thousand dollars missing from Lafourche Recreation District #1 for which he is employed part-time as Director. This stemmed from the consolidation of the recreation districts by Lafourche Parish Government in October 2016. An audit was conducted in March 2017, and multiple discrepancies were discovered. Ultimately, Vedros could not account for several thousand dollars of missing funds, including softball registration fees.

On Wednesday, May 31, Vedros was indicted on eight felony offenses including Felony Theft, Forgery, three counts of Malfeasance in Office, and three counts of Filing False Public Records. Vedros was booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center on Thursday, and he was released that afternoon after posting $80,000 bond.

Barker was indicted on two counts of Forgery and Filing False Public Records. He was also booked into the Detention Center and subsequently released after posting $30,000 bond.

Delatte and Banks were indicted for one count each of Felony Theft as a result of findings from a separate and unrelated investigation. Banks was receiving Section 8 housing assistance obtained through the Lafourche Parish Housing Authority. She was reportedly a tenant at a trailer owned by Delatte, who was receiving the funding as the landlord. Investigators learned the trailer was actually vacant, and Banks was living at Delatte’s residence.

Delatte and Banks were indicted for Felony Theft on Wednesday. They were booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center on Thursday and released after posting $10,000 bond each.

The investigations are ongoing, and no further details will be released at this time.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced two people have been arrested and one is being sought in connection with an armed robbery which occurred on Monday in Bayou Blue. Deputies arrested Justin Housend (age 25) and Jadelin Cheramie (age 17), both of Raceland, on Tuesday, and a warrant has been issued for Zachery Poindexter (age 21) of Raceland.

On Monday, May 29, deputies responded to a call of an armed robbery which occurred at a Bayou Blue apartment at around 10:30 a.m. that morning. Through investigation, deputies learned Cheramie had contacted a man, with whom she was familiar, and asked to stop by his apartment to use the restroom. The man agreed, and Cheramie arrived and entered the restroom. Moments later, Poindexter and Housend entered the apartment, and one of the men allegedly pointed a gun at the man and demanded money. They both reportedly punched the victim in the head and torso. When Cheramie emerged from the restroom, she did not intervene. Poindexter, Housend and Cheramie stole several hundred dollars and other items before fleeing the scene together.

Investigators obtained a description of the vehicle in which the three suspects fled the scene. On Tuesday, May 30, deputies discovered the vehicle traveling in Raceland and initiated a traffic stop. Housend and Cheramie were taken into custody, and during questioning, both admitted to their roles in the crime. They were transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux where each was booked with Armed Robbery. Housend’s bond is set at $150,000, and Cheramie’s bond is set at $100,000.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Zachery Poindexter in connection with the armed robbery. Anyone with information on his whereabouts 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 detectives are investigating an incident which occurred Thursday night in which a Thibodaux man was stabbed.

At around 11 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, deputies received a call in reference to a male subject in his 20s being stabbed by a female at an apartment on Marie Street in Thibodaux. The victim and suspect had fled the scene prior to deputies’ arrival. A short time later, deputies responded to a parking lot at Thibodaux High School after receiving a call that the victim was there. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the victim and discovered him to have a puncture wound on the left side of his back. He was initially transported by ambulance to Ochsner St. Anne Hospital, and he was then airlifted to University Medical Center in New Orleans where he is currently in serious but stable condition.

Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in this case. Anyone who may have 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.