Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Two Teens Charged Following Armed Robbery outside Raceland Store

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced two teenagers have been charged in connection with an armed robbery which occurred in the parking lot of a discount store located on LA Highway 1 in Raceland. A 15-year-old male juvenile faces several charges, including Armed Robbery, and 17-year-old Kaylum Thompkins of Raceland also faces charges stemming from the incident.

At around 9:45 p.m. on Monday, April 3, deputies received a call in reference to a robbery in Raceland. Investigators learned a woman had exited the store and entered her vehicle when two unknown male subjects approached her. One of the subjects motioned for the woman to roll down her window, and when she did, the subject sprayed her with pepper spray. A struggle ensued as the two male subjects pulled the woman out of the vehicle. They both entered the vehicle and drove away from the scene. Approximately four hours later, deputies located the vehicle which had been abandoned on Recreation Drive in Raceland.

Detectives developed Thompkins and the juvenile as suspects in the case after learning the juvenile and Thompkins were riding in the vehicle following the incident. Through investigation, detectives identified the juvenile as the subject who had allegedly used pepper spray in the incident. They also determined Thompkins was with the juvenile riding in the car later that night.

Deputies made contact with both suspects on Tuesday afternoon and brought them in for questioning. Following questioning, the 15-year-old male was charged with Armed Robbery and placed in the Lafourche Parish Juvenile Justice Facility. Thompkins was charged with Illegal Possession of Stolen Things. He was additionally charged with Possession of Marijuana and Indecent Exposure (Parish Ordinance) due to being found wearing saggy pants and having marijuana in his possession. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux, and his bond is set at $10,350.

The investigation into this incident is continuing, and detectives believe additional charges could be forthcoming.

Seat Belt Checkpoint Slated for Thursday, April 6

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct a seat belt checkpoint during the daytime hours of Thursday, April 6 in Lafourche Parish. During the checkpoint, deputies will be checking motorists for seat belt and safety seat violations, as well as for proper inspection tags and insurance. These checkpoints are designed to help raise awareness for these types of violations and make the highways of the parish safer for all motorists.

Detectives Investigating Overnight Shooting in Larose

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are currently investigating a shooting which took place early Tuesday morning in Larose. At around 12:15 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call in reference to a shooting in the Larose area wherein a bullet grazed a male subject in the head. The victim was transported to a local hospital and was later airlifted to University Medical Center in New Orleans. He is expected to recover.

The investigation into this matter is ongoing. Detectives are asking anyone with information on this case 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.

Officials Clarify School Gun Laws and Policies, Ask Parents to Help Keep Schools Safe

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Lafourche Parish Schools Superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Matthews are educating the public on the issue of guns on school property. Recent incidents involving air-powered pistols have generated many opinions and questions with parents and students, especially over social media. Sheriff Webre and Superintendent Dr. Matthews are offering clarification with regard to laws and school board policy and asking parents to play a role in ensuring events such as these do not occur.

“Any student found in possession of any gun could be criminally charged,” said Sheriff Webre. “Just like with any investigation, we will thoroughly investigate and decide what charges should be brought in every situation. It is imperative that parents know where their guns are at all times, and even check their children’s school bags if necessary.”

The term “gun” could refer to a “firearm” or one which is “air-powered.” Federal firearm laws define a “firearm” as any weapon which expels a projectile by the action of an explosive. Because non-powder guns, including traditional B.B. guns, pellet guns, and “airsoft” guns, use compressed air to expel the projectiles instead of gunpowder, they are not considered “firearms” under federal law. They do, however, discharge projectiles, often at high rates of speed and with significant force and can be considered dangerous weapons.

Not only could a student be criminally charged for possession of a gun, it is also a violation of Lafourche Parish Schools policy. Possession of firearms or dangerous weapons on school property, school buses, or at school-sponsored activities are listed as “suspendable acts.” The policy further prohibits possession of anything made to resemble a firearm, which includes toy guns which do not shoot projectiles of any kind. Depending on several factors, including the severity of an offense and the quantity of past and present offenses, any suspendable act can result in expulsion per the policy.

“We will administer consequences to students who bring any type of weapon on school grounds, and we will suspend and recommend students for expulsion when this occurs,” said Dr. Matthews. “We owe it to our staff and students to make our school campuses the safest possible place for students to learn. This includes numerous measures, including cameras in schools and school buses, metal detectors, School Resource Officers, training of staff, and one point of entry for schools.”

“It is important to understand the differences in laws and policies, but it is also important to remember there are consequences for violating either,” added Sheriff Webre. “While an act may not be illegal, there could still be a school policy prohibiting it, resulting in disciplinary action by the school, which could include expulsion. Our School Resource Officers will continue to work with school officials to resolve any and every incident to ensure the utmost safety of the students and faculty.”

Gun owners are strongly urged to keep all guns locked away and out of the reach of children. This includes air-powered guns. Regardless, gun owners should always know where the guns are at all times.

“Even for those who consider air-powered guns to be toys, these weapons are often used to commit crimes and have even cost individuals their lives because of their resemblance to an actual firearm,” said Sheriff Webre.

Citizens who wish to learn more specifics about laws as it relates to firearms and dangerous weapons on or near school property are urged to research Louisiana laws, especially Revised Statutes 14:95.2 (firearms and dangerous weapons on school property), 14:95.6 (firearm-free zones), and 40:1379.3 (concealed handgun regulations, including firearm-free zones). These can be found on the Louisiana State Legislature’s website, www.legis.la.gov.

To learn more about Lafourche Parish Schools policy, or to download a copy of the 2016-2017 Parent & Student Handbook, visit The Lafourche Parish School District website, www.lpsd.k12.la.us.

Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest after Variety of Drugs Discovered

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of Joseph Brannon (age 31) of Waggaman on Thursday, March 30. At around 3 p.m. on Thursday, deputies initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling on LA Highway 3235 in the Larose area. Deputies made contact with the driver and identified him as Joseph Brannon. Deputies discovered Brannon to have an active warrant for Contempt of Court, and he was placed under arrest. Deputies also detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, deputies recovered several small bags of narcotics, including marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and MDMA pills, as well as various drug paraphernalia. In all, deputies recovered nearly 12 grams of methamphetamine packaged in six small bags, nearly 8 grams of crack cocaine in 5 individual bags, over 6 grams of cocaine in two bags, nearly 9 grams of marijuana in two bags, and 33 doses of MDMA. Brannon was transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center where he was booked with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Methamphetamine, MDMA, Cocaine, and Crack Cocaine. He was also booked with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and no turn signal, as well as per the warrant for Contempt of Court. His bond is set at $96,300.

UPDATE: Man Who Prompted School Lockdown Charged with Domestic Abuse

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a man whose actions prompted the lockdown of two Larose schools on Tuesday has been charged with domestic abuse. Dennis Wainwright Jr. (age 39) of Larose was arrested following an investigation Tuesday afternoon.

Through investigation, deputies and detectives learned Wainwright was upset and, on Tuesday, he sent text messages to his children that caused his wife to be concerned. His wife went to the residence to check on him, and upon arrival, she found him holding a rifle. Detectives learned his wife attempted to de-escalate the situation, but Wainwright became more agitated and committed a battery on her. He then stated he was going pick up his children at school and left the residence.

At approximately 1:55 p.m., the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call in reference to Wainwright traveling to the school with a firearm. This prompted a lockdown of Larose-Cut Off Middle School, as well as the neighboring South Larose Elementary School. Several deputies responded to the school, as well as Wainwright’s residence. Deputies were later informed he was actually not in possession of the firearm before leaving for the school. At 2:45 p.m., deputies made contact with Wainwright when he returned home, and he was detained for questioning. At that point, the lockdown was lifted at both schools.

Following questioning and investigation, an arrest warrant was obtained for Wainwright for Domestic Abuse Battery. He was transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center and booked accordingly. His bond is set at $25,000.

Larose Schools Locked Down for an Hour on Tuesday

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced Larose-Cut Off Middle School was placed on lockdown for approximately one hour on Tuesday afternoon as deputies investigated a potential threat to the school. The neighboring South Larose Elementary School was also placed on lockdown as a precaution.

At approximately 1:55 p.m., the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call that an irate male subject was traveling to the school to pick up his children, and he had a firearm in his possession. Several deputies responded to the school as well as the subject’s residence, and the school was placed on lockdown. Deputies were later informed the man was actually not in possession of the firearm before leaving for the school. At 2:45 p.m., deputies made contact with the subject when he returned home, and he was detained for questioning. After detaining the subject, the lockdown was lifted, and students and faculty were dismissed.

Deputies’ response and the lockdown were initiated out of an abundance of caution, and there was no known threat directed at the school or any children. The male subject is currently being questioned in reference to the incident. We will update this story if the subject is charged or if more information can be made available.

Rape Aggression Defense Course for Women Scheduled for April

Sheriff Craig Webre has announced a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course has been scheduled for April 17, 18, and 19 at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office 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 1 p.m. and end around 4:30 p.m. each day. Participants must attend all three days. Course instruction will be provided by certified R.A.D. instructions 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 through our website at 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 Wednesday, April 12 at 11 a.m.

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

UPDATE: Body of Missing Thibodaux Man Discovered on Sunday

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported the body of 74-year-old Ronald Blanchard of Thibodaux was found on Sunday, March 26. A fisherman discovered Blanchard, who had been missing since March, 3, 2017, while traveling in the area near where his boat had been discovered on Sunday afternoon.

Blanchard was at his camp and scheduled to travel by boat to meet a family member that evening at the Pointe-aux-Chenes Marina, but he never arrived. With assistance from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, LPSO deputies and divers searched around the clock for a week, but they were unable to locate him. Daily patrols continued in the area after that time, and boaters and anglers were asked to be on the lookout for Blanchard.

Deputies Arrest Lockport Man for Battery and Attempting to Escape Custody

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of Taylor Adams (age 42) of Lockport on Wednesday, March 22. At around 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, deputies responded to St. Anthony Street in Mathews in reference to a battery. Through investigation, deputies learned Taylor Adams initiated a verbal altercation with a woman over a cell phone. At one point, Adams allegedly tackled the woman to the ground, injuring her left elbow, wrist and knee. Adams was not at the residence when deputies initially arrived, but he returned to the residence later that evening. Upon learning of his return, deputies also returned to the residence and found Adams hiding under the residence. He was taken into custody for three outstanding warrants for Contempt of Court, as well as Simple Battery. Due to an injury to his foot, Adams was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Upon leaving the hospital, as deputies were loading Adams’ crutches into a patrol unit, Adams attempted to flee on foot, but deputies regained custody of Adams. He was transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux where he was booked on the aforementioned charges, as well as Simple Escape. His bond is set at $48,000.