Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Thibodaux Man Charged with Sex Crimes after Meeting Woman on Dating App

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Thibodaux man for forcing himself on a woman he met through an online dating app. Shane Chelette, 30, is charged with sexual battery and oral sexual battery.

On January 5, 2023, deputies responded to the initial complaint by a Lockport woman. She had reportedly met Chelette via Tinder in late December 2022, and they had a few conversations. The woman agreed to have lunch with Chelette on January 5. After some time at the residence, Chelette began making unwanted advances to the woman who had told him to stop repeatedly. Chelette then committed sexual battery and oral sexual battery on the woman before leaving the residence. Following an investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for Chelette’s arrest.

On January 13, 2023, Chelette was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with sexual battery (forcible fondling) and oral sexual battery. He was subsequently released that same day after posting bail in the amount of $2,000. He has also been ordered to stay away from the victim.

Sheriff Webre would like to caution anyone using online dating apps or websites to remember a few tips:

Search for the person on a search engine and social media to see if you find anything concerning;
Always meet in a public place and always bring your phone;
Be sure to leave the person’s name with a trusted friend or family member;
Always have your own method of transportation in case something feels strange and you need to leave; and
Never share intimate photos with anyone electronically, especially someone you’ve never met.

Concealed Handgun Course Scheduled for January 21, 2023

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced a Concealed Handgun Training Course will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023, 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.

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

The cost for the course is $110, and a special rate of $55 is offered for seniors (ages 60+). Online registration is required in advance due to the limited class size. This course is a pre-requisite for those applying for a Concealed Handgun Permit from the State of Louisiana. Go to LPSO.net/classes to register for this course online. For more information, please contact Captain Kevin Johnson at (985) 449-4481 or by email at kevin-johnson@lpso.net.

UPDATE: Autopsy Shows Female Inmate Died of Heart Attack

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced an autopsy has shown that a female inmate who died on Monday had suffered a heart attack. This is the preliminary finding on Cheryl Dufrene, 60, who died at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on Monday.

On January 9, 2023, Dufrene was being housed in the medical unit of the Correctional Complex due to being treated for a medical condition. Just before 12:30 p.m., a correctional officer found her unresponsive. She was later pronounced dead. Investigators found no evidence of foul play.

During an autopsy conducted at the Lafourche Parish Coroner’s Office on January 10, 2023, the doctor found the preliminary cause of Dufrene’s death was a heart attack.

Female Inmate Dies at Correctional Complex from Apparent Natural Causes

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced an inmate at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex has died. Cheryl Dufrene, 60, of Raceland died at the facility on Monday. Her death appears to be from natural causes.

Dufrene’s death remains under investigation, but her death appears to be due to natural causes. Investigators have found no evidence of foul play. An autopsy is pending.

NOTE: Per Act 494 (effective June 2022), a mug shot cannot be released.

Detectives Investigating Homicide in Raceland

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported detectives are currently on scene investigating a suspected shooting death on Market Street in Raceland. The victim is a man in his late 20s.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to submit a tip to Crime Stoppers Bayou Region at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips mobile app.

More information may be released as the investigation continues.

Detectives Seeking Fugitive Wanted in Three Parishes

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking the public to be on the lookout for a man wanted in three parishes including Lafourche. Malik Williams, 19, of Houma should be considered armed and dangerous.

On January 5, 2023, detectives investigated the theft of a vehicle and a series of vehicle burglaries in Raceland. All the incidents took place in the 4000 blocks of LA Highway 1 and LA Highway 308 in Raceland. Through investigation, detectives developed Malik Williams as a suspect in these crimes and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

Williams is also wanted for failing to appear in court for an armed robbery charge in East Baton Rouge Parish, as well as a vehicle burglary in Ouachita Parish.

Anyone who sees the suspect or knows his whereabouts should not approach him. Instead, submit a tip anonymously to Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.

Convicted Felon Arrested for Threatening Another Man with a Gun

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a convicted felon who allegedly pointed a gun at another man threatening to shoot him. Jason Bailey, 37, of Raceland was arrested shortly after the incident on Monday morning.

Just before 6:45 a.m. on Monday, January 2, 2023, deputies responded to a disturbance in the 600 block of Danos Street after Bailey, a convicted felon, reportedly pointed a gun at another man. Through investigation, deputies learned Bailey had arrived at the victim’s house and had an argument over a dog. Bailey pointed a handgun at the man and threatened to shoot him. The victim slammed the door shut. Bailey then pulled the door open and pointed the gun at the man again. These actions were captured on video.

Bailey was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. Bail is set at $100,000.

Juvenile Investigators Still Seeking Runaway Teen from Golden Meadow

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced juvenile detectives are still attempting to locate 16-year-old Dakota McLaughlin of Verret Street in Golden Meadow.

As previously announced, McLaughlin was absent for a legal proceeding on October 19, 2022. At that time, juvenile detectives contacted his mother who stated she had not seen him and he had not been home since October 11, 2022.

McLaughlin was most recently seen on December 27, 2022, around noon in the 100 block of East 156th Street in Galliano, but detectives have been unable to locate him.

Dakota McLaughlin is described as 5’11” tall, weighing approximately 160 pounds with black 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.

Fugitive Wanted for Two Incidents of Violence Arrested on Traffic Stop

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Galliano man wanted for two violent incidents. Danny Ougel Jr., 39, was arrested on Friday.

Ougel had outstanding warrants from two prior incidents. On April 22, 2022, he allegedly forced his way into a Galliano residence and struck a man in the head with a hammer. He also broke a television before departing. Then on June 18, 2022, he was involved in a domestic disturbance in which he strangled the victim, and a child was present at the time. Deputies obtained arrest warrants on Ougel following both incidents.

Then, shortly after 5:15 p.m. on December 2, 2022, deputies in the Larose area saw Ougel driving in a vehicle that had a switched license plate. Deputies conducted a traffic stop and approached Ougel who initially provided a false name. When deputies informed Ougel they already knew his identity, he admitted to giving a false name. In addition to the switched plate, Ougel was found to have an expired registration on the vehicle and no insurance.

Ougel was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was booked on outstanding warrants for aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon, domestic abuse battery involving strangulation with child endangerment, home invasion, and simple criminal damage to property. He was additionally charged with resisting an officer, expired vehicle registration, switched license plate, and no insurance. Bail is set at $205,050.

UPDATE: Three Men Arrested for Tuesday Shooting Incident in Raceland

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced three men have been arrested for a shooting incident in Raceland on Tuesday. Investigators arrested Adam Thomas, 20, and Vontras Cleveland Jr., 21, both of Raceland, as well as Tyren Lyons, 18, of Houma. There were no injuries in the shooting.

Shortly after 11 a.m. on November 22, 2022, multiple rounds were shot from two vehicles involved in the first incident which took place at the intersection of Buford Street and St. Louis Street. A second incident occurred with several rounds fired near the intersection of LA Highway 1 and Greenville Street.

Descriptions given by eyewitnesses enabled detectives to quickly narrow their search to the specific vehicles involved, and suspects from both vehicles were located and taken into custody without incident before 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Thomas was identified as the driver of one vehicle with Cleveland as the passenger, and Lyons was identified as the driver of the other vehicle.

All three were booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. They were charged with one count each of attempted second degree murder, illegal use of weapons, and three counts each of aggravated criminal damage to property.

Thomas was additionally charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bail is set at $1.1 million. Bail for Cleveland and Lyons is also set at $1.1 million each.