Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Information Sharing Results in Quick Arrests in Forgery Investigation

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Golden Meadow Chief of Police Reggie Pitre announced Juris Roussell Jr. (age 38) and Shonna Orgeron (age 47), both of Larose, have been charged in connection to a forgery investigation. The case was solved by deputies accessing information through the database of information shared by law enforcement agencies throughout Lafourche Parish.

On Tuesday, March 21, deputies opened an investigation in reference to someone attempting to cash a check from an older account. Through investigation, deputies discovered a man and woman each attempted to cash the check at a Larose bank, but the bank did not permit it. Later that day, Golden Meadow Police officers responded to a similar call at a Golden Meadow bank. Upon officers’ arrival, the suspects were still on scene and identified as Juris Roussell Jr. and Shonna Orgeron.

Utilizing Zuercher Suite software, deputies observed the incident to which Golden Meadow Police officers responded as having similar characteristics and made contact with the officers. Through cooperation, deputies and officers were able to connect Roussell and Orgeron to the Larose incident as well as the Golden Meadow incident. Both were charged with two counts of Attempted Forgery and transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center where they were booked accordingly. Orgeron was additionally charged with four counts of Possession of a Legend Drug without a Prescription and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and her bond is set at $10,250. Roussell’s bond is set at $25,000.

“Once again, the sharing of information through the Zuercher Suite software resulted in this case being solved quickly,” said Sheriff Webre. “This is just a small example, but Lafourche Parish continues to be one of the only areas of the country where all law enforcement agencies freely share information through a consolidated system, and it has aided countless investigations.”

Chief Reggie Pitre agreed with Sheriff’s Webre’s comments. “Zuercher Suite is a priceless tool in law enforcement investigations,” said Chief Pitre. “We have access to information collected by all agencies within the parish instead of just ours, and it encourages collaboration and cooperation among our local jurisdictions.”

Zuercher Suite is a law enforcement data system created by Zuercher Technologies which is utilized by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, Golden Meadow Police Department, Lockport Police Department, Thibodaux Police Department and the Port Fourchon Harbor Police. Information is shared among the agencies through a single consolidated system. While some information regarding arrests is shared through national databases accessible to law enforcement entities throughout the country, this system provides immediate access to information obtained even through minor incidents.

Two Students Charged with Possession of a B.B. Gun at a Raceland Elementary School

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Lafourche Parish Schools Superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Matthews announced two male juveniles have been charged after they were found in possession of a B.B. gun at an elementary school on Tuesday, March 21.

Through investigation, deputies learned a 12-year-old boy brought the B.B. gun to Raceland Upper Elementary School and gave it to an 11-year-old boy inside a classroom. At one point, the gun fell to the floor of a classroom and was observed by a school administrator. The administrator seized the gun and made contact with a school resource officer. Following an investigation, both juveniles were charged with violating Louisiana R.S. 14:95.2 which prohibits carrying a dangerous weapon onto school property. The juveniles were then released to the custody of their respective parents.

Sheriff Craig Webre cautions students and parents about B.B. guns and similar replica firearms. “We hope this incident serves as a reminder to students that any guns, even B.B. guns, are absolutely not allowed at school,” said Sheriff Webre. “Moreover, we strongly caution children and parents alike who have B.B. or pellet guns, such as the one in this incident, which are made to replicate actual firearms. When facing someone brandishing one of these guns, law enforcement officers will most often not have the time or ability to distinguish one of these from an actual firearm and will treat the situation as though there is a real firearm present. It is imperative that any gun of this nature be easily distinguishable from a real firearm.”

Three Arrested Following Traffic Stop in Larose

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced three individuals were arrested following a traffic stop on Monday, March 20. Those arrested include Waylon Darsey (age 34) of Larose, Satila Boudreaux (age 27) of Cut Off, and Crystal Benoit (age 34) of Golden Meadow.

At around 5 p.m. on Monday, a K-9 deputy traveling along LA Highway 308 conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the Larose area. The deputy identified the driver, Waylon Darsey, and a passenger, Crystal Benoit, as having active warrants, and they were immediately taken into custody as other deputies arrived to assist. The K-9 unit on scene alerted to the possible presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, deputies discovered three syringes, each containing a liquid substance. Through investigation, deputies determined the syringes belonged to another passenger, Satila Boudreaux, and she identified the liquid as methamphetamine. Boudreaux was then also placed under arrest.

All three were transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux. Darsey was booked on active warrants for Distribution of Methamphetamine and Contempt of Court, and his bond is set at $30,000. Benoit was booked on three active warrants for Contempt of Court. Her bond is set at $3,000, and she has also been ordered to pay $324.50 in relation to one of the warrants. Boudreaux was booked with Possession of Methamphetamine and Drug Paraphernalia, and her bond is set at $5,500.

Multiple Checkpoints Slated for Thursday, March 23

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct multiple checkpoints on Thursday, March 23 in Lafourche Parish. Seat belt and DWI checkpoints will be conducted during the evening hours at various locations throughout the parish. These checkpoints are designed to help raise awareness for these types of violations and make the highways of the parish safer for all motorists.

During seat belt checkpoints, deputies focus on checking motorists for seat belt and safety seat violations. During DWI checkpoints, deputies look for drivers who are possibly impaired while checking for other traffic safety issues.

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.

Seven Charged with DWI Over the Weekend

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced seven individuals were charged with DWI offenses from Friday, March 17 through Sunday, March 19. Of those, one was charged with a third DWI offense, two were charged with a second offense, and four were charged with their first offense.

At around 1:45 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, deputies patrolling near the 2000 block of LA Highway 3185 in Thibodaux initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Benjamin Thibodeaux (age 34) of Thibodaux. Because he was exhibiting signs of possible impairment, deputies conducted a field sobriety test on which Thibodeaux performed poorly. He submitted to a breathalyzer test which showed him to have a blood alcohol level of 0.162g%. He was arrested and transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux where he was booked with DWI (3^rd Offense) and Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle. He was released after posting $10,100 bond.

The following individuals were also charged with DWI offenses over the weekend:

Terry Price Jr. (age 58) of Bayou Blue – DWI (2^nd Offense), Switched Plates, no turn signal, driving under suspension
Cody Bourgeois (age 31) of Raceland – DWI (2^nd Offense), driving left of center, improper lane usage
Clayton Matthews (age 26) of New Roads – DWI (1^st Offense), speeding, improper lane usage
Leobardo Diaz-Serna (age 33) of Thibodaux – DWI (1^st Offense), speeding
Maria Fernanda (age 21) of Schriever – DWI (1^st Offense), improper lane usage
Francisco Chaco (age 37) of Thibodaux – DWI (1^st Offense), no driver’s license, improper lane usage

Store Employee Faces Theft and Drug Charges

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of Zedd Wunstell (age 31) of Golden Meadow on Thursday, March 16. At around 4:15 p.m., deputies responded to a Cut Off department store in reference to a theft. Upon arrival, deputies learned surveillance cameras captured video of a store employee, Zedd Wunstell, stealing a tablet computer. Wunstell was subsequently detained by a store manager prior to deputies’ arrival. Following the investigation, deputies took Wunstell into custody, and they found him to be in possession of eight clonazepam pills, eight diazepam pills, and a small amount of suspected methamphetamine. Wunstell was charged with Possession of Clonazepam, Diazepam, and Methamphetamine, as well as Theft. He was transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux and booked accordingly. His bond is set at $5,000.

Seat Belt and DWI Checkpoints Planned for Friday

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct a seat belt checkpoint and a DWI checkpoint this Friday, March 17 in Lafourche Parish. These checkpoints are designed to help raise awareness for these types of violations and make the highways of the parish safer for all motorists. The seat belt checkpoint will be conducted Friday evening, and deputies will focus on checking motorists for seat belt and safety seat violations. A DWI checkpoint will begin Friday evening and will continue into the early morning hours of Saturday, March 18. During the DWI checkpoint, deputies will be looking for drivers who are possibly impaired while checking for other traffic safety issues.

Thibodaux Man Remains Missing Since March 3

Sheriff Craig Webre reported deputies are continuing the search for 74-year-old Ronald Blanchard of Thibodaux who has been missing since March 3. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol deputies and divers have been searching around the clock since he was reported missing, but they have been unable to locate him. LPSO personnel will continue their search with daily patrols. Boaters and anglers who travel in this area are asked to be on the lookout for Blanchard, and report any findings immediately to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2255.

Blanchard was at his fishing camp on Friday, March 3, and he was scheduled to travel by boat to meet a family member that evening at the Pointe-aux-Chenes Marina. Blanchard never arrived, and deputies later found his boat. Family members have had no contact with him since that time.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries assisted in the search.

Anonymous Tip Leads to Arrest of Two Fugitives

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of Omri Rabon (age 25) of Galliano and Janie Cheramie (age 33) of Cut Off on Wednesday, March 8. Rabon was arrested in connection to a vehicle burglary which occurred in late February, while Cheramie was arrested due to a warrant for probation violation.

As previously released, Golden Meadow Police and LPSO detectives were investigating a vehicle burglary reported on Monday, February 27, wherein a woman’s purse was stolen and fraudulent charges were made on her credit card. On March 1, detectives arrested Brent Terrebonne (age 46) of Golden Meadow for Simple Burglary and ten counts of Unauthorized Use of an Access Card. Two days later, on Friday, March 3, detectives arrested Geoffrey Galliano (age 31) of Larose for Simple Burglary of a Motor Vehicle. Detectives later obtained warrants on Omri Rabon as a third suspect in the case.

Then, on Tuesday, March 7, deputies of the Problem-Oriented Policing (“POP) Squad and Bicycle Patrol, collectively referred to as “POPcycle,” attempted to locate Rabon with assistance from K-9 deputies. Through the help of an anonymous tip, the deputies proceeded to a residence on West 152^nd Street where they found Rabon hiding in a closet, and he was immediately taken into custody without incident. Deputies also discovered Janie Cheramie, who had an active warrant for a probation violation, to be hiding in the attic of the residence. She was also taken into custody and transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center where she is being held without bond.

Through investigation and questioning of Rabon, detectives were able to link to him a residential burglary which was reported Monday evening at a residence on West Main Street in Cut Off. Following questioning, Rabon began shaking and told detectives he swallowed a bag of suspected methamphetamine prior to his arrest. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance where he remains in stable condition. Upon his release from the hospital, Rabon will be transported to the Detention Center where he will be booked on charges of Simple Burglary of an Immovable Structure, Simple Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, and five counts of Unauthorized Use of an Access Card. Detectives have indicated that Rabon may face additional charges as the investigations into these incidents continue.

Concealed Handgun Course Slated for March 19

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced a Concealed Handgun Training Course will be held on Sunday, March 19 at the LPSO Shooting Range Facility located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. The class will begin at 8:00 a.m. and last until approximately 5:00 p.m. with a break for lunch. The actual ending time will vary due to class size.

The course will include the following:

One hour of instruction on handgun nomenclature and safe handling procedures of a revolver and semi-automatic pistol.
One hour of instruction on ammunition knowledge and fundamentals of pistol shooting.
Three hours of instruction on the use of deadly force and conflict resolution. (Includes a review of R.S. 14:18 through 14:22 and which may include a review of any other laws relating to the use of deadly force)
One hour of instruction on handgun shooting positions.
One hour of instruction on child access prevention.
Two hours of actual live range fire and proper handgun cleaning procedures. Live range fire shall include 12 rounds each at 5 feet, 10 feet, and 15 feet for a total of 36 rounds.
Must perform at least one safe reload of the handgun at each distance.
Must score 100% hits within the silhouette portion of an NRA B-27 type silhouette target with 36 rounds.

The cost for the course is $110, and advance registration is suggested due to limited class size. This course is a pre-requisite for those applying for a Concealed Handgun Permit from the State of Louisiana. CLICK HERE to register online for the course, or for more information, please 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).