Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

MISSING PERSON: Jermaine Ross

UPDATE: Jermaine Ross has been found and is safe.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 33-year-old Jermaine Ross of Serenity Drive in Thibodaux. He was last seen walking out of his residence at around 1:15 a.m. on June 20, 2024.

Ross suffers from a mental disorder. He is described as 6’0″ tall, weighing approximately 180 pounds with black hair. He was last seen wearing a white shirt, dark-colored shorts, and no shoes. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.

Sheriff Webre Announces Details on 2024 Property Tax Title Sale

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a property tax title sale at beginning at 8 a.m. on July 10, 2024, and concluding at noon on July 11, 2024, or earlier if all properties are sold. By hosting the sale online, bidders who would not normally be able to attend the auction in person can still participate.

This sale is open to the general public. Online registration is open LPSO.net/TaxSale until noon on July 1, 2024. After registering online, users can access videos explaining auction procedures. A list of available properties will be available beginning June 20, 2024. Bidders are encouraged to participate online from the comfort and privacy of their computers.

A property tax title sale is the sale of properties with delinquent taxes due. The tax titles for these properties are sold to the public for the amount of the delinquent taxes due, plus any accrued interest, penalties, costs, and other statutory impositions. The tax title sale is a “low bid wins” style auction in which the property is sold to the purchaser willing to bid on the least percent ownership interest in the property. All taxes and fees are the responsibility of the bidder regardless of the percentage of ownership bid. Payment for all bids placed will be debited from the account provided when entering the auction. Those funds will be debited after the close of the auction. Payment must be made in full, and all sales are final. Failure to have funds available or false bids will result in the bidding individual or firm being unable to participate in future Lafourche Parish property tax title sales.

To avoid having property sold at the tax sale, property owners must pay property taxes by 11:59 p.m. on July 9, 2024. Bills not paid in full by that time will result in the property being sold at the tax sale. Tax payments can be made in person at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Administration Office (200 Canal Boulevard, Thibodaux) or the South Lafourche Substation (102 W. 91st Street, Cut Off). Only cash, certified check or money order will be accepted. For additional information, property owners can call (985) 449-4430.

This auction and all future tax sales can be viewed online at LPSO.net/TaxSale. Using the convenient search options, bidders can set the parameters for any property that falls within their interests and budget.

Free Hunter Education Field Day Scheduled for August 10, 2024

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a FREE Hunter Education Field Day on Saturday, August 10, 2024. The Field Day will occur from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the LPSO Shooting Range at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. The Field Day is recommended for those ages 14 or older, and participants must have completed the home study course.

As an alternative to the traditional two-day classroom course, the Home Study Course is available online through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website. Those who complete the home study course MUST take their completion voucher to a “Field Day” to complete their hunter education. Entry to the Field Day will be denied unless the completed forms are presented. There will be a written test required to complete the Field Day. Class size is limited. Advance registration is required. CLICK HERE to register for the Field Day.

Firearms and ammunition should NOT be brought to this course, but snacks are permitted. For more information, or for assistance with online registration, call the LPSO Training Academy at (985) 449-4481 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email Captain Kevin Johnson at kevin-johnson@lpso.net.

Detectives Investigating Incident with a Toy Gun Pointed at a Deputy

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are investigating an incident wherein a toy gun was pulled on an off-duty deputy early Monday morning.

During the early morning hours of June 10, 2024, an off-duty deputy was traveling in the central Lafourche Parish area when she noticed she was being followed closely by a pickup truck. At around 1:30 a.m., the off-duty deputy pulled into the parking lot at the LPSO Criminal Operations Center in Lockport, and the truck followed. The truck stopped in the parking lot, and a passenger exited and pointed a gun at the deputy’s vehicle before leaving the area.

The off-duty deputy reported the incident and followed the vehicle to the area of Central Lafourche Drive. Additional deputies responded to the area and conducted a traffic stop. Deputies identified the occupants of the truck as three teenage males. All were detained and questioned about the incident. They also located three gel blaster guns painted to appear as real firearms. No charges have yet been filed, but the investigation into this incident is continuing.

Through investigation, deputies learned the teenagers thought they were following a friend’s vehicle and were unaware they were actually following a deputy instead. Sheriff Webre said it is important for parents and children to fully understand the risks involved with handling toy guns or replica guns designed to look like real firearms.

“Because the goal is to look like an actual firearm, neither a deputy nor a citizen would be able to tell the difference in a split-second when one is pointed at them, especially at night,” said Sheriff Webre. “Thankfully, this situation ended peacefully for all involved, but these teens’ mistake of thinking they were following friends could have had potentially deadly consequences. I urge everyone to use extreme caution when displaying firearms or realistic-looking weapons in public places, and never point a gun at anyone without legal justification. I also strongly recommend to never modify toy guns to look like an actual firearm.”

Gel Gun — Gel Blaster Gun from this incident

Former Jewelry Store Owner Arrested for Felony Theft

Sheriff Craig Webre announced a former jewelry store owner has been charged with felony theft of a former customer. Thomas Birdsall, 64, of Metairie, has been arrested in the investigation, and detectives believe there may be additional victims.

Around the summer of 2021, a local resident brought a watch to Birdsall Jewelry and Gifts for repair. The watch was valued at over $50,000. Birdsall told the resident he would try to repair it himself or send it off for repairs if necessary. Following Hurricane Ida in August 2021, Birdsall removed everything from the store. When the resident asked about the watch, Birdsall claimed he couldn’t remember whether he sent it off for repair. He then ceased all contact with the resident. Following an investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for Birdsall’s arrest.

On May 31, 2024, Birdsall was arrested in Jefferson Parish on the outstanding warrant. He was later transferred to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex where he was booked with one count of felony theft. On June 8, 2024, Birdsall was released on personal recognizance with the condition of electronic monitoring.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims. Anyone who had brought high-priced jewelry to Birdsall Jewelry and Gifts prior to Hurricane Ida and has not received it back is asked to contact investigators at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. Please gather any documents related to the jewelry and the transaction before contacting detectives at (985) 532-4320. You can also send an email to info@lpso.net.

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NOTE: Per Article 234 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, a booking photo cannot be released for this arrest.

CLARIFICATION: The address of the business in this case was 118 West 111th Street in Cut Off. The Birdsall Jewelry and Gifts in this case is not affiliated with Betty’s Birdsall Jewelry and Fine Gifts in Thibodaux. The two are completely separate businesses.

RUNAWAY TEEN: Ana Mercedes

UPDATE: Ana has been found and is safe.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 13-year-old Ana Mercedes East 11th Street in Lockport. She was last seen at her residence on Sunday night at around midnight.

Ana is described as approximately 5’7” tall, weighing approximately 153 pounds with black hair. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.

RUNAWAY TEEN: Hewitt Harris

UPDATE: Hewitt Harris has been found and is safe.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old Hewitt Harris of Cut Off. He was last seen on Sunday, May 26, 2024. He is described as 5’7” tall, weighing approximately 130 pounds with blonde hair. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.

LPSO Now Offering Free Concealed Carry Classes; First Scheduled for June 1, 2024

Sheriff Craig Webre is proud to announce the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will now offer free concealed carry classes. The first free course will be held on June 1, 2024. This is in an effort to encourage residents to take the training if they intend to carry a concealed firearm without a permit as will be allowed for eligible persons beginning on July 4, 2024.

Act No. 6 of the 2024 Regular Session of the Louisiana State Legislature amends existing law to allow for those 18 years of age or older to carry a firearm concealed within the state without obtaining a permit or training. The law only applies to those not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm by any state or federal law. The law also only applies within the state of Louisiana and is not reciprocal to other states. To carry concealed in those states with existing reciprocity laws, you must still obtain a concealed carry permit from the State of Louisiana.

In response to this, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has amended its concealed carry training course to encourage all who plan to carry a concealed firearm with or without a permit to receive information on safe carrying, usage, and storage. The free informational course will cover gun safety, storage, liability, and prohibited carrying locations.

The first free course will be held on June 1, 2024, at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Shooting Range, located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland. The course will begin at 8 a.m. and those wanting to complete the course to obtain the state concealed carry permit must stay for the entire course which will last until approximately 5 p.m. with a break for lunch. Those wishing to attend simply for informational purposes are free to leave at any time.

Participants must bring a handgun in good working condition, 50 rounds of ammunition, eye protection (sunglasses or eyeglasses are sufficient), and ear protection (muffs or plugs).

The course is free, but online registration is required in advance due to the limited class size. Go to LPSO.net/classes to register for this course online. For more information, contact Captain Kevin Johnson at (985) 449-4481 or by email at kevin-johnson@lpso.net.

Fugitive Carrying Drugs is Arrested After Jumping into Bayou Trying to Elude Deputies

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig announced the arrest of a fugitive who jumped into Bayou Lafourche in an effort to try to elude deputies. Tyron Rainey, 34, of Gray was found to have a variety of drugs and cash following his arrest on Tuesday.

Just after 4:30 p.m. on May 21, 2024, deputies received intelligence about Rainey traveling in the Thibodaux area. Rainey was wanted for numerous charges in Terrebonne Parish. Deputies located the suspect’s vehicle traveling northbound on LA Highway 308 and conducted a traffic stop. The driver initially failed to stop but eventually pulled into a parking lot. Upon stopping the vehicle, Rainey exited the car on the passenger side carrying a bag. He began to run from the scene and deputies followed. He tossed the bag on top of the roof of an apartment building before jumping into Bayou Lafourche. He was eventually taken into custody.

Deputies climbed up to retrieve the bag Rainey had been carrying and found several suspected narcotics including approximately 98 grams of heroin, 15 individually wrapped backs of marijuana, over 600 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and approximately $4,000 in cash. During questioning, Rainey admitted to telling the driver not to stop the vehicle.

Rainey was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, marijuana, and heroin, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, and flight from an officer. Bail is set at $93,000. He is also being held as a fugitive of Terrebonne Parish where he faces numerous charges including domestic abuse battery, criminal damage to property and a variety of drug and weapons charges.

Checkpoints Planned for “Click It or Ticket” Campaign

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct a seat belt checkpoint and a DWI checkpoint as part of its ongoing Click It or Ticket campaign which runs through June 2, 2024. 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 on Sunday, May 26, 2024, and deputies will focus on checking motorists for seat belts and child safety seat violations. The DWI checkpoint will begin Sunday evening following the seat belt checkpoint and will continue into the early morning hours of Monday, May 27, 2024. During the DWI checkpoint, deputies will be looking for drivers who are possibly impaired while checking for other traffic safety issues.

Sheriff Webre reminds citizens to designate a driver if they 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.