Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Applications for $1,000 LSA Scholarship Now Being Accepted for 2024

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre has announced applications are now being accepted for the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association annual scholarship for 2024. All eligible students residing in Lafourche Parish are encouraged to apply. The amount of the scholarship has increased to $1,000.

The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school student who attends Nicholls State University or Fletcher Technical Community College. An applicant must be a permanent resident of Lafourche Parish and must be eligible for admission to the school indicated on the application. The award will only be paid for attendance at one of the aforementioned qualifying institutions as a full-time, undergraduate student. The scholarship is awarded as a gift, not a loan, and is awarded to defray the rising costs of tuition and related expenses in higher education. There are no restrictions on the purposes for which the scholarship is spent.

Applications are available for download online at www.LPSO.net/scholarship. Completed applications can be turned in at any Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office location or mailed to Captain Brennan Matherne, P.O. Box 5608, Thibodaux, LA 70302. Applications can also be emailed to Captain Matherne at brennan-matherne@lpso.net. All applications must be received by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office no later than April 1, 2024. An independent selection committee will review the applications and select a winner to be announced in May. There are no restrictions on applicants by reason of race, creed, color, age or national origin, and family members of Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office employees are also eligible to apply.

The Louisiana Sheriffs’ Scholarship Program awards scholarships in all 64 parishes, providing assistance to worthy Louisiana students in furthering their education and training with resources made available through the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Honorary Membership Program.

UPDATE: Suspect in Gheens Shooting Incident Remains in Critical Condition

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the suspect in a shooting that occurred in Gheens on February 1, 2024, remains hospitalized in critical condition. Jesse Bergeron, 35, of Raceland was identified as the suspect in the incident and was injured after crashing his truck following the shooting. The shooting victims suffered only minor injuries

At around 11:10 a.m. on February 1, 2024, deputies responded to a report of a truck traveling at a high rate of speed on LA Highway 654 in Gheens as well as a subsequent shooting in the area. They discovered the truck had crashed in a sugar cane field near the intersection of LA 654 and the Gheens Short Cut Road, and the truck had caught fire. Firefighters arrived to extinguish the flames, and the driver, Bergeron, emerged from the truck with burns and other injuries. He was airlifted to a New Orleans hospital for treatment where he remains in critical condition.

Meanwhile, the victims of the shooting had arrived at a local hospital where they were treated for minor injuries and released. One of the victims had been traveling in a manlift at a slow rate of speed followed by a truck escorting the equipment. Bergeron allegedly shot at the victims through his windshield.

The investigation is continuing. Bergeron will face criminal charges upon his release from the hospital.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over: Mardi Gras 2024

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 2-13, 2024. The campaign is coordinated and funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 37 people in the United States die each day in drunk-driving crashes. That’s one person every 39 minutes. These deaths are all preventable. In order to raise awareness and deter impaired driving incidents, deputies will be assigned to highly visible, saturated patrol efforts to specifically target impaired drivers and help keep motorists safe.

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.

Deputies Investigating Shooting Incident in Gheens

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced deputies are on scene near the intersection of LA Highway 654 and the Gheens Short Cut Road in Gheens in reference to a shooting followed by a vehicle crash.

Two victims are in stable condition and being treated at a local hospital. The suspected shooter was airlifted to a New Orleans hospital after crashing his truck into a sugar cane field.

This investigation is ongoing. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

Chackbay Man Charged with Sex Crimes Involving a Child

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Chackbay man for sex crime involving a child. Christopher Raffray, 56, was arrested on Wednesday.

Raffray was the subject of a recent investigation for reportedly having sexual contact with a juvenile under the age of 13 about 10 years ago. Following an investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On January 31, 2024, Raffray was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with aggravated crimes against nature and indecent behavior with a juvenile. Bail is set at $150,000.

Due to the nature of these crimes, no additional information will be released.

The investigation into Raffray is continuing. Any other victims are encouraged to contact Lieutenant Rodney Morrison of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (985) 532-4359.

Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Burglary of 30 Firearms

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s assistance in helping to solve a burglary committed last fall in Cut Off in which as many as 30 firearms were stolen.

At some point between mid-October to mid-November 2023, a burglary occurred at a property located on East 57th Street in Cut Off. Investigators found signs of forced entry. As many as 30 firearms were stolen, including shotguns and hunting rifles. Most of these firearms were collectibles.

Detectives have exhausted all leads in this case and are asking the public for assistance. Anyone who may have any information helpful in solving this crime is asked to submit a tip anonymously through Bayou Region Crime Stoppers 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.

Seat Belt & DWI Checkpoints Slated for January 29, 2024

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct a seat belt checkpoint and a DWI checkpoint on Monday, January 29, 2024, in Lafourche Parish. 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 Monday evening, and deputies will focus on checking motorists for seat belts and child safety seat violations. The DWI checkpoint will begin Monday evening following the seat belt checkpoint and will continue into the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 30, 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.

RUNAWAY TEEN: Alyssa Bland

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old Alyssa Bland of Thibodaux. She was last seen at her residence at around 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.

Alyssa Bland is described as 5’8” tall, weighing approximately 140 pounds with blond 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.

Jefferson Parish Man Dies after Crashing into Canal in Larose

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Jefferson Parish man who had been reported missing was found dead in a canal in Larose on Monday. Burnell Sens II, 47, of Jefferson was found inside his vehicle which he had crashed into the canal.

On the evening of Sunday, January 21, 2024, Sens’ family reported him missing to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. His last known location based on his cell phone was in the Larose area in Lafourche Parish. Deputies and detectives began searching for Sens, a search that continued into Monday, January 22.

On Monday, Sens’ body was found inside his truck which had crashed into a small canal on private property at the rear of Adam Boulevard in Larose. The truck was submerged in the canal up to approximately the level of the hood. An autopsy conducted on Monday showed Sens died of hypothermia. Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the crash, and toxicology results are pending.

RUNAWAY TEEN: Mimi Washington

UPDATE: Mimi Washington has been found safe.

ORIGINAL POST:

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old Mimi Washington of Bayou Blue. She was last seen at around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2024.

Mimi Washington is described as 5’2” tall, weighing approximately 110 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.