Concealed Handgun Course Scheduled for March 26, 2022

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced a Concealed Handgun Training Course will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, 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 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 Lieutenant Kevin Johnson at (985) 449-4481 or by email at kevin-johnson@lpso.net.

Please note that due to damage from Hurricane Ida, the shooting range itself remains closed to the public for individual shooting.

Two Men Charged after Found Trespassing in Chackbay with Firearms

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced two Thibodaux men face charges after they were found walking in a Chackbay subdivision carrying firearms. Deputies charged Patrick Foust, 34, and Brandon Benoit, 36, who was also charged with drug possession.

Just after 7:15 a.m. on Monday, March 7, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of two men walking with firearms in the area of the 400 block of Dogwood Drive in the Sugar Ridge West subdivision in Chackbay. A local resident disarmed the men and held them at gunpoint until deputies arrived.

Deputies learned the two subjects had been riding in Foust’s truck in a field behind the subdivision when they got stuck in the mud. The two men then began walking from the vehicle carrying four firearms, two of which Foust had concealed on his person without a permit. Deputies also discovered Benoit had suspected methamphetamine in his possession.

Benoit was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Criminal Trespassing. Foust was charged with Criminal Trespassing and Illegal Carrying of Weapons.

Brandon Benoit Brandon Benoit

MISSING PERSON: Johnta Robertson

UPDATE: Johnta Robertson has been found and is safe.

 

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 14-year-old Johnta Robertson of Thibodaux, LA. He was last seen leaving the Abby neighborhood area on March 3, 2022, at 1:00 PM.

Johnta Robertson is described as 5’0 tall, weighing approximately 145 pounds with black hair. He was last seen wearing a gray t-shirt and white tennis shoes. The young man also has small braids in his 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.

Johnta Robertson

Two Men Arrested after Agents Find Ten Pounds of Meth at Lockport Residence

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced two men have been arrested after agents found approximately ten pounds of methamphetamine at a Lockport residence. Felipe Moreno, 45, of Lockport and Omar Mendez, 30, of Coachella, California, were arrested this week.

Through investigation, narcotics agents had obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 1000 block of Barataria Street in Lockport. On February 22, 2022, with the assistance of Louisiana State Police and Louisiana Probation and Parole, agents proceeded to the residence. During the search, agents located approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine.  Based on their findings, agents were able to obtain arrest warrants for Moreno and Mendez.

Later that day, agents located Moreno at a residence in Raceland, and he was taken into custody for Principal to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Criminal Conspiracy. He was subsequently booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. Bail is set at $300,000. He is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.

On February 24, 2022, with the assistance of the Plaquemine Parish Sheriff’s Office, agents located Mendez at a location in Venice, and he was arrested. He was initially booked in Plaquemine Parish before being transferred to Lafourche. He is also charged with Principal to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Criminal Conspiracy. Bail is set at $300,000, and he is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.

Citizens are reminded that they can report any drug-related or suspicious activity. Information can be reported directly to the Narcotics section commander, Lieutenant Derek Champagne, at (985) 532-4365 or derek-champagne@lpso.net. Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices.

K 9 Siren With Meth Seizure
K 9 Siren With Meth Seizure
Felipe Moreno
Felipe Moreno
Omar Mendez
Omar Mendez

 

Narcotics Agents Save Overdosing Man, Arrest Raceland Couple

Sheriff Craig Webre announced narcotics agents arrested a Raceland couple after saving the life of a man who was overdosing in their driveway. Jai Demere, 39, and Erin Bland, 39, were arrested on Tuesday.

Through investigation, narcotics agents learned of illegal drug activity at Demere and Bland’s residence on Adams Street in Raceland. Agents were familiar with both and knew Bland had active warrants.

On February 22, 2022, narcotics agents proceeded to the residence with assistance from Louisiana Probation and Parole agents in an attempt to locate Bland. When they arrived, they found Bland and Demere standing outside a vehicle parked in the driveway. A male passenger in the vehicle appeared to be passed out and showing signs of a possible opioid overdose. Agents administered Narcan to the man, and he began breathing normally.

While questioning Demere and Bland, agents learned of illegal items inside their residence and obtained a search warrant. During a search of the residence, agents found suspected heroin and various items associated with the sale and use of illegal narcotics.

Demere and Bland were both placed under arrest and transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex for booking. Both were charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bail for Demere is set at $100,100. Bland was additionally booked on the aforementioned warrants for contempt of court, and her bail is set at $15,100.

Citizens are reminded that they can report any drug-related or suspicious activity. Information can be reported directly to the Narcotics section commander, Lieutenant Derek Champagne, at (985) 532-4365 or derek-champagne@lpso.net. Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices.

Jai Demere Jai Demere
Erin Bland Erin Bland

RUNAWAY TEEN: Madison Salvadore

UPDATE: Salvadore has been found and is safe. 

ORIGINAL POST:

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old Madison Salvadore of Crescent Avenue in Lockport. She was last seen leaving Central Lafourche High School after school hours. Detectives learned at approximately 5:30PM, the juvenile was reportedly dropped off at a Burger King in Houma near the parade route.

Madison Salvadore is described as 5’6” tall, weighing approximately 190 pounds with brown hair. She was last seen wearing khaki pants, a white shirt and gray pullover sweatshirt. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.

Madison Salvadore

RUNAWAY TEEN: Kody Cheramie

UPDATE: Kody has been found and is safe.

 

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Golden Meadow Chief of Police Troy Dufrene are asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old Kody Cheramie of Golden Meadow. He was last seen at Oak Ridge Park in Golden Meadow at around 5:30 p.m. on February 17, 2022. While investigating another matter, officers learned Cheramie had not been home under the care of his legal guardian for at least two to three weeks. He is described as 5’4” tall, weighing approximately 160 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.

Raceland Man Arrested Following Months-Long Narcotics Investigation

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Raceland man following months of investigation by narcotics agents. Mark Williams, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.

Narcotics agents had been investigating Williams and activity at his Dantin Street residence for several months and learned the residence was being used in numerous transactions involving illegal narcotics. With assistance from patrol deputies, detectives, and Louisiana State Police Troop C, narcotics agents proceeded to the residence on Wednesday, February 16 where they found Williams attempting to leave the residence in a vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted, and Williams was found to have a pistol and over $2,000 in cash in his possession. During a search of the residence, agents found approximately 5.6 pounds of high-grade marijuana, two firearms, and various items commonly associated with the sale of illegal narcotics.

Williams was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Illegal Carrying of a Weapon, and Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. He was released Wednesday night after posting bail in the amount of $70,000.

Citizens are reminded that they can report any drug-related or suspicious activity. Information can be reported directly to the Narcotics section commander, Lieutenant Derek Champagne, at (985) 532-4365 or derek-champagne@lpso.net. Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices.

Mark Williams
K9 Siren with seizure

Detectives Seek Man Who Stole Thousands in Cash from a Bayou Blue Business

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in a case wherein a man stole thousands in cash from a tire shop in Bayou Blue.

Just before 10 a.m. on January 29, 2022, two men in a blue Mitsubishi Outlander arrived at Royal Express Tires on Bayou Blue Road. After arrival, the passenger in the vehicle entered a nearby convenience store while the driver, wearing a bright green hooded sweatshirt, entered the office of the tire shop. The driver was captured on camera stealing several thousand dollars in cash from a desk in the office. Both the driver and passenger then returned to the vehicle and left the area.

Detectives are asking for the public’s help to solve this case. Anyone who can identify the driver, or anyone with any knowledge of this incident, is asked to submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or through the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.

Driver
Driver

Driver And Vehicle
Driver And Vehicle

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over: Mardi Gras 2022

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will join other local law enforcement agencies in participating in the statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign which runs through the Mardi Gras season – February 18 through March 1, 2022. The campaign is coordinated and funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Additional deputies will be assigned to saturated patrol efforts to target impaired drivers and help keep motorists safe. Deputies will also be assisting other agencies in a checkpoint which will be announced at a later date.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving is a deadly epidemic that takes the lives of more than 10,000 people each year, on average.

Sheriff Craig Webre reminds citizens to have a plan to get home safely before deciding to drink. Whether you are attending a parade or a party or drinking at an establishment, NEVER drive if you have had anything to drink containing alcohol. Remember that driving under the influence of illegal narcotics can also lead to a DWI arrest. In fact, some legal medications can impair your ability to drive. Always read warning labels and instructions on prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Sheriff Webre also thanks citizens for their cooperation and patience when passing through checkpoints and for recognizing the importance of raising awareness for safety issues.