Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of Russell Lebouef (age 37) and Jamie Wicher (age 30) for their involvements in a series of attempted vehicle burglaries on Karen Drive in Lockport.

Deputies began investigating a series of attempted vehicle burglaries on the morning of January 28, 2017. Through investigation, deputies learned a male and female subject attempted to burglarize several vehicles parked at residences on Karen Drive in Lockport by lifting door handles. The female suspect found one vehicle was unlocked and entered the vehicle before leaving the scene. Through investigation, deputies developed Russell Lebouef and Jamie Wicher as suspects in the crime. Deputies made contact with both suspects, and both admitted to involvement in the crimes. Lebouef and Wicher were both arrested and transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center for booking.

Russell Lebouef was charged with five counts of Attempted Simple Burglary of a Motor Vehicle and one count of Criminal Trespassing. His bond was set at $25,500, and he is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole due to a parole violation.

Wicher was charged with four counts of Attempted Simple Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, as well as a single count each of Simple Burglary of a Motor Vehicle and Criminal Trespassing. Wicher was additionally booked on an outstanding warrant for Contempt of Court. She was released Monday evening after posting $5,200 bond.

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of Richard Bozarth (age 32) of Raceland on Friday, February 3. Just before midnight on Friday night, deputies were dispatched to a disturbance at a residence in the 4000 block of LA Highway 1 in Raceland. Through investigation, deputies learned Bozarth was at the residence with his girlfriend when a verbal altercation ensued between the two. At one point, the altercation turned physical as Bozarth grabbed the woman by the face. At that time, another male subject entered the room where they were arguing and told Bozarth he was calling law enforcement. Bozarth then approached the man and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, Bozarth bit the man on his right forearm. The two men eventually separated, and the other man ran to another room to contact law enforcement. Bozarth followed the man and brandished a knife threatening to attack. The other man fled the residence and was able to contact the Sheriff’s Office. Bozarth, who was still at the residence upon deputies’ arrival, was placed under arrest and transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux. Upon arrival to the Detention Center, Bozarth was being escorted through the jail by two correctional officers when he head-butted one of them. He later exposed himself to two female correctional officers at the jail. In all, Bozarth was booked with Second Degree Battery, Domestic Abuse Battery, Aggravated Assault, Battery of a Police Officer, and Obscenity. He was also booked on an outstanding warrant for Contempt of Court. His bond is set at $16,500, and he is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of Randolph Himel Jr. (age 39) of Schriever on Friday, February 3. At around 10:15 p.m. on Friday, deputies initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a speeding violation on Brule Guillot Road in Thibodaux. Deputies made contact with the driver, identified as Randolph Himel Jr., and detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. Himel admitted he had consumed alcoholic beverages, and deputies located an open alcohol container in the vehicle. Himel was subjected to a field sobriety test on which he performed poorly. A breathalyzer test showed him to have a blood alcohol content of 0.123g%. A review of Himel’s criminal history showed he was currently on parole for his fourth DWI charge. Himel was arrested and transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux where he was booked with DWI (5^th Offense), Possession of an Alcoholic Beverage in a Motor Vehicle, and Speeding. His bond is set at $100,200, and he is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.

Sheriff Craig Webre announced a recent investigation into a meth lab has resulted in an additional arrest which includes charges of aggravated animal cruelty. Sandy Chauvin (age 60) of Houma was arrested this week as a result of an investigation which initially included the arrest of her sons, Nicholas (age 35) and Christian Chauvin (age 43).

As previously released, on Friday, January 13, agents with the Lafourche Parish Drug Task Force arrived at Chauvin’s residence due to having two active warrants for the arrest of her son, Nicholas Chauvin, for Distribution of Methamphetamine, and he was taken into custody without incident. After obtaining a search warrant for the residence, the Lafourche Parish Combined Meth Lab Response Team entered the residence and discovered tools and other items commonly associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine. Christian Chauvin, Nicholas Chauvin’s brother, was also at the residence at the time. Both Christian and Nicholas Chauvin were charged with Creation or Operation of a Clandestine Laboratory for the Unlawful Manufacture of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. Christian Chauvin was released on January 17 after posting $50,000 bond, and Nicholas Chauvin was released the following day after posting $85,000 bond.

While the Meth Lab Response Team was searching the residence, team members noticed a large number of cats living at the residence. The living conditions at the residence were very poor, and a large amount of fecal matter was discovered throughout the residence. Team members captured photographic evidence of five cats which appeared to have serious health issues and injuries. Seven deceased cats were also found at the residence. Animal control deputies responded to the scene that day and began removing the cats from the residence. Deputies made several return trips over the next few days and recovered a total of 133 cats from the residence, all of which were transported to the Lafourche Parish Animal Shelter. According to officials at the animal shelter, all of the cats had to be euthanized due to their condition.

Following an investigation by the Lafourche Parish Drug Task Force, agents were able to obtain warrants for the arrest of Sandy Chauvin for five counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and Creation or Operation of a Clandestine Lab for the Unlawful Manufacture of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. Agents made contact with Sandy Chauvin on Wednesday, February 1, and she was taken into custody. She was booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux on the aforementioned warrants, and she was released on Wednesday afternoon after posting $40,000 bond.

Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Thibodaux man wanted for four counts of Identity Theft is now in custody. Brent Poiencot (age 40) was arrested in Morgan City this week. 
Beginning in October 2016, detectives began investigating multiple cases involving someone attempting to open credit card accounts using other people’s personal information. Through investigation, detectives developed Brent Poiencot as the suspect and obtained a search warrant for his residence on Renee Drive. During a search of the residence, detectives discovered evidence of identity theft. Detectives then obtained a warrant for Poiencot’s arrest for four counts of Identity Theft.

Poiencot was arrested by Morgan City Police during a traffic stop on Tuesday, January 31. He was transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux on Wednesday, February 1, and booked on the aforementioned warrants. His bond is set at $100,000.

Sheriff Craig Webre announced Crime Stoppers Bayou Region is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons involved in a December 2016 shooting which resulted in the death of 21-year-old Rashyad King of Thibodaux.

At around 3:25 a.m. on Saturday, December 24, deputies responded to a call of shots fired in the 100 block of Brocato Lane in Raceland. A few minutes later, deputies received another call of a shooting victim having just arrived at Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital in Raceland. Detectives responded to the hospital and learned 21-year-old Rashyad King had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Due to the severity of his injuries, King was transported to University Hospital in New Orleans where he was later pronounced dead. Through investigation, they learned King was sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle with two other friends when he was shot in the back of the head. Detectives also discovered a bullet hole in the rear passenger side door of the vehicle. At this time, there is no description of any suspects.

Crime Stoppers Bayou Region has already approved the maximum reward of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for this crime. Anyone with any 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.

Sheriff Craig Webre announced an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region helped lead to an arrest of a Galliano man on Tuesday. Alan Cheramie Sr. (age 57) faces multiple charges after several types of drugs were discovered at his residence.

Recently, an anonymous tip was submitted through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region in reference to Alan Cheramie being in possession of large amounts of narcotics which he planned to sell. Deputies proceeded to Cheramie’s residence on the afternoon of Tuesday, January 31, and upon arrival, they made contact with Cheramie at his door. Deputies detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the residence and obtained a search warrant for the residence. While searching the residence, deputies discovered over 250 grams of suspected marijuana, five hydrocodone pills, six clonazepam pills, one benzphetamine pill, various drug paraphernalia, and approximately $400 in cash.

Cheramie was placed under arrest and transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux where he was booked with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Hydrocodone, and Clonazepam, as well as Possession of Benzphetamine and Drug Paraphernalia. His bond is set at $65,500.

Crime Stoppers Bayou Region is a non-profit organization which allows citizens to submit tips anonymously and rewards tipsters for information which leads to an arrest. Anyone can submit information 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.

Sheriff Craig Webre reported a shooting took place in the 400 block of Carol Street in Thibodaux on Tuesday, January 31. At 10:18 a.m. on Tuesday, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call that several shots had been fired in the 400 block of Carol Street, and one male subject had been shot in the leg. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released. Deputies and detectives responded to the scene. Through investigation, detectives learned two parties had exchanged gunfire, and approximately 20 rounds had been fired. Detectives learned one of the parties involved was traveling in a white car, possibly a Honda Civic. Several shots were fired in the direction of the victim, with one round striking the victim in the left thigh, and several other rounds striking a nearby residence. Detectives found the residence was occupied by two adults and a toddler at the time of the incident, but none of them were injured.

Anyone with any 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.

During the course of the investigation, deputies made contact with Cornell Brown (age 22) of Thibodaux who had an outstanding warrant for Aggravated Assault with a Firearm for Thibodaux City Court. He was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center. His bond is set at $5,000.

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of Kendall Mathews (age 33) of Thibodaux on Monday, January 30. At around 6:15 p.m. on Monday, deputies of the Problem-Oriented Policing (“POP”) Squad were traveling on Carol Street in Thibodaux when they detected a strong odor of marijuana which they discovered was coming from a car parked in a nearby driveway. They also noticed Kendall Mathews was sitting in the passenger seat of the car, and deputies knew Mathews had multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest. As deputies began approaching the car, Mathews exited and began to flee on foot. Deputies caught up to Mathews, and he was taken into custody. Deputies also discovered a marijuana cigarette on the ground which Mathews allegedly dropped while attempting to flee from deputies. Mathews was transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center and booked on active warrants for Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Illegal Carrying of a Weapon in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Firearms with an Obliterated Number, Theft, Simple Criminal Damage to Property, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was additionally booked with Possession of Marijuana (3^rd Offense) and Resisting an Officer. His bond is set at $94,000, and he is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.