Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced two people were arrested after being found with drugs. Manuel Basulito, 52, and Trinity Vizier, 21, both of Galliano, were arrested last week.
Narcotics agents had obtained a search warrant for a residence on West 152nd Street in Galliano due to ongoing investigations. On April 27, 2023, agents and patrol deputies arrived at the residence where they encountered several individuals including Basulito and Vizier. Agents located small amounts of heroin, fentanyl and diazepam, as well as several articles of drug paraphernalia. These items were determined to belong to Vizier. Basulito was also found to have methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in his possession.
Both Basulito and Vizier were arrested and transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. Basulito was booked on charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He was released after posting $5,500 bond. Vizier was booked on the contempt warrant, and she was additionally charged with possession of heroin, fentanyl, diazepam, and drug paraphernalia. Her bail is set at $26,500.
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NOTE: Per Article 234 of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, booking photos cannot be released.
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is working with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) to develop a program aimed at assisting veterans in crisis. Representatives from SAMHSA are in Thibodaux this week to present information to the local group of community partners working on this endeavor with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office – the first agency in the state of Louisiana selected to work on the project.
“Supporting our veterans means more than just thanking them for their service,” said Sheriff Webre. “It also means recognizing the toll that service can take on their mental health, and providing them with the resources and assistance necessary to heal and thrive.”
Caring for service members, veterans and their families who are experiencing an emotional crisis requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. When these individuals are receiving treatment in the midst of a mental health crisis, they are at an increased risk of dying by suicide. SAMHSA developed the Crisis Intercept Map for suicide prevention to help communities recognize gaps and strengthen the delivery of suicide prevention policies and practices for service members and veterans.
LPSO and its team of community partners are meeting with SAMHSA this week to begin creating the Crisis Intercept Map for our region. Throughout this process, the team will discuss opportunities to implement essential practices and protocols including universal screening, safety planning, safety amid lethal means, and to promote connectedness.
“Our ultimate goal through these efforts is to identify veterans in need of help and connect them with the proper services and resources our community partners can provide,” said Sheriff Webre. “We are honored to participate in this national initiative to develop this interagency team that will create an action plan to improve crisis care services across the continuum.”
Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. The goal is to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness.
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***If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or is in a crisis, help is available. Text or call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to connect with a crisis counselor.***
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced one man is dead and another was injured in a shooting that occurred in Thibodaux on Sunday. The investigation is continuing.
At around 12:20 p.m. on April 30, 2023, deputies responded to calls of gunshots reported in the 1300 block of Lasseigne Road in Thibodaux. Officers from Thibodaux Police Department also responded to assist. When they arrived, deputies found one victim had been shot in the torso, and he was later pronounced dead. A second victim was shot in the leg and transported to a local hospital for treatment.
While no arrests have yet been made, detectives have made progress in the investigation. Additional evidence must be processed and interviews must be conducted before charges are officially brought forward.
Further information, including the identity of the victim, will be released later.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Lockport man for allegedly sending lewd text messages and photos to a 13-year-old girl. Scott Boudreaux Jr., 19, was arrested on Thursday.
Earlier this year, juvenile detectives began an investigation into Boudreaux after learning he had sent sexually explicit text messages and photos to a 13-year-old girl. Through investigation, they found evidence that Boudreaux sent the messages to the juvenile using his girlfriend’s smartphone. Detectives then obtained a warrant for his arrest.
On the evening of Thursday, April 28, 2023, an officer with the Lockport Police Department located Boudreaux in the Town of Lockport and made contact with him. As Boudreaux saw deputies approaching, he started running but was apprehended shortly thereafter.
Boudreaux was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux on a warrant for computer-aided solicitation of a minor. He was additionally charged with resisting an officer. Bail is set at $77,500.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Bayou Blue couple for cruelty to a juvenile. Ray Matherne Jr., 27, and Amber Doiron, 28, were arrested on Friday.
On the morning of Friday, April 21, 2023, juvenile detectives were called to a head start location regarding a child who arrived with a black eye that had been covered by makeup, as well as marks on the neck and arm. Through investigation, detectives learned Matherne had allegedly struck the child two days prior and that Doiron had allegedly grabbed the child causing the marks to the neck and arm. Detectives further learned the couple used makeup in an attempt to conceal the child’s black eye. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for each of them.
Matherne and Doiron were arrested on Friday evening and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. Each was charged with one count of cruelty to a juvenile. Matherne was released Saturday morning after posting $50,000 bail. Doiron remains in custody, and bail is set at $50,000.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course on May 15-17, 2023, at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Complex located at 1300 Lynn Street in Thibodaux.
This self-defense course designed for women will take place over the course of three days. The class will begin at 6 p.m. and end around 9:30 p.m. each day. Participants must attend all three days. Course instruction will be provided by certified R.A.D. instructors from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The cost of the course is $10 to cover the cost of course materials and is non-refundable. Class size is limited, and advance registration is required. You can register and pay for the course online at www.LPSO.net/classes. The deadline to register for the class is May 12, 2023, at 11 a.m.
For more information, please call Lucie Morvant at (985) 446-2367 or email Captain Kevin Johnson at kevin-johnson@lpso.net.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 15-year-old Bailey Meek of 110 South Leon Drive in Gheens. Bailey was last seen at his home at around 2 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
Bailey Meek is described as 5’5” tall, weighing approximately 130 pounds with brown 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.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Galliano man for sex crimes involving juveniles. Benjamin Griffin, 19, was arrested on Monday.
Late last year, juvenile detectives opened an investigation after learning Griffin allegedly had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Detectives learned the two had exchanged photos and messages of a sexual nature with each other and that Griffin would sneak into the girl’s home at night and the two would engage in sexual intercourse. Through the course of the investigation, detectives also discovered Griffin had nude photographs of another 16-year-old girl. Detectives made attempts to speak with Griffin about these incidents, but he refused to meet. Detectives then obtained a warrant for his arrest.
On April 17, 2023, patrol deputies made contact with Griffin, and he was arrested. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Center. He was charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile, computer-aided solicitation for sexual purposes, and pornography involving juveniles. Bail is set at $250,000.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are investigating the disappearance of a Raceland man who has been missing for nearly one month. Wilbert Molaison, 44, of Morristown Bypass Road was last seen in the area near his home on March 17, 2023.
Molaison was reported missing late last week by a family member living outside of Lafourche Parish. The relative stated that no family members had heard from him. The relative admitted that Molaison was a known drug user but stated he has not gone this long without speaking to family. Detectives spent the next several days tracking down leads and searched for Molaison in several locations he was known to frequent or possibly be staying.
This investigation is ongoing, and foul play has not been ruled out.
Wilbert Molaison is described as 5’10” tall, weighing approximately 160 pounds with black hair. Anyone with information on his whereabouts or his disappearance is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808. Information can also be sent anonymously to Bayou Region Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips mobile app.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced that a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office commander has attained the international professional designation of “Public Information Officer” (PIO). The Commission on Professional Credentialing met on April 4, 2023, to confer the designation to Captain Brennan Matherne who has served as PIO of the Sheriff’s Office since September 2011. He becomes one of only 23 certified PIOs worldwide and the first in the state of Louisiana.
Captain Brennan Matherne
Sheriff Webre stated, “It is gratifying to see that Captain Brennan Matherne’s high standards and numerous accomplishments as our PIO have been recognized and rewarded with this most prestigious worldwide honor! Brennan is the epitome of professionalism, competency and integrity on a personal and professional level. When I first met him as a young man working at KLRZ-FM many years ago, it was apparent that his work ethic and uncompromising standards would distinguish him among his peers. Hence, it comes as no surprise to me that his colleagues would find him worthy of such a high honor.”
The PIO designation program is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate their excellence in seven measured components including experience, education, professional development, professional contributions, association membership, community involvement, and technical competence. Those being considered for designation undergo a comprehensive peer review. The Commission on Professional Credentialing awards the designation only after an individual successfully meets all the organization’s stringent criteria.
Captain Matherne has served as PIO of LPSO since September 2011 and served at Lafourche Parish Government for six years prior. He has kept the public informed during numerous major hurricanes and significant events such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. He is a past president of the National Information Officers Association (2017-2018) and a past chair of the Lafourche Chamber of Commerce (2022). He has taught numerous PIO courses and has taught media relations to all new police chiefs in the State of Louisiana for the past six years. He is also active in the community, coaching youth sports and volunteering with Bless Your Heart Nonprofit.
Achieving this designation demonstrates Captain Matherne’s commitment to his role in public service. “I am always thrilled to have the opportunity to represent my agency and my parish on a national level,” said Captain Matherne. “This designation now puts Lafourche Parish on a very exclusive international list of professional agencies. It is an incredible honor to help shine a spotlight on my home parish.”
Sheriff Webre added, “The citizens of Lafourche Parish are very fortunate to be the benefactors of a PIO of Captain Matherne’s caliber. This is especially true in today’s world of real-time information, misinformation and social media. Brennan is a highly regarded and essential member of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office administration, and I hope that our citizens will join me in congratulating him.”
The Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc., administers the designation program. The commission consists of individuals from academia, federal and local government, and the fire and emergency medical services profession. To learn more about CPC, visit www.cpse.org/credentialing.
