Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Raceland Man Charged in Domestic Incident

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported a Raceland man has been arrested following a domestic incident in which he reportedly held a gun to a woman’s head. Richmond Boyd, 63, faces several charges in the case.

On the evening of Sunday, January 31, 2021, deputies received a call from a concerned citizen regarding a possible domestic disturbance at Boyd’s residence. Deputies responded to Boyd’s residence and investigated. Through investigation, deputies discovered Boyd had allegedly committed a battery involving strangulation on a female victim and held a gun to her head. Boyd also reportedly held the woman at the residence against her will and hung up her phone as she was attempting to call for help. He later reportedly disabled the phone as well.

Boyd was transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex and booked with Domestic Abuse Battery Involving Strangulation, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Interfering with Emergency Communication, and False Imprisonment.

He was released Monday morning after posting bail in the amount of $6,500.

LSA Scholarship Applications Now Being Accepted for 2021

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre has announced applications are now being accepted for the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association annual scholarship. All eligible students in Lafourche Parish are encouraged to apply.

The $500 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. All applications must be received by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office no later than Thursday, April 1, 2021. 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.

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.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over: Mardi Gras 2021

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 heart of the Mardi Gras season – February 5-16, 2021. The campaign is coordinated and funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

As part of this effort, additional deputies will be assigned to saturated patrol efforts to target impaired drivers and help keep motorists safe.

“Even though there are no parades, Mardi Gras balls, or large parties this year due to the ongoing pandemic, it’s still as important as ever for people to recognize the dangers of impaired driving,” said Sheriff Webre. “The pandemic has led to people spending more time at home, but on the occasion you do consume alcohol somewhere else, you must have a plan to arrive home safely.”

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 you decide to drink. 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.

LPSO Partners with Fletcher For Industrial Certification Classes for Inmates

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a new partnership with a local college to offer industrial certification classes to local inmates. Fletcher Technical Community College has begun offering classes this month to inmates at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux, as well as offenders in the Transitional Work Program. Classes for welding, forklift, and automotive certifications are among the first to be offered. The funding was provided by a grant from Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana, Inc.

“This is another outstanding partnership to further our mission and vision of the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex,” said Sheriff Webre. “We are continuing to find new, innovative ways to reduce recidivism. This program will provide the opportunity for individuals to better themselves while incarcerated in order to be ready for a productive return to society upon their release.”

The three certification classes are being offered to start, but additional classes and certifications will be offered in the future, including computer programs.

“We are proud to partner with the Lafourche Parish Sherriff’s Office in providing education and training for incarcerated individuals,” commented Fletcher Chancellor, Dr. Kristine Strickland. “We know that providing these individuals with opportunities to gain the necessary skills to re-enter our communities reduces recidivism and allows individuals to successfully obtain employment in high demand, high wage careers.”

Captain Karla Beck, assistant warden at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex and Director of Programming and Reentry for the Southeast Central Regional Reentry Program, will oversee the program. She said this was one of her major objectives she set out to achieve when she was promoted to this position in July 2020.

“Our reentry team at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex works diligently to help incarcerated people prepare to re-enter society and become more productive citizens,” said Captain Beck. “Education is one of the most effective tools in reducing recidivism, transforming lives and improving our communities. I’ve seen these individuals making true changes, and I believe that providing second chances enables them to create a new and better life for themselves and everyone around them. I want to ensure we continue these efforts because our entire parish and residents deserve it.”

Detectives Investigating Burglary at Thibodaux Storage Facility

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking the public for assistance in identifying a person wanted for breaking into several storage units at a facility in Thibodaux.

On the morning of January 16, 2021, deputies responded to a storage facility on Tiger Drive in Thibodaux. Several rental storage units had been burglarized with some items of value missing. An unknown male subject was captured on camera, and he was driving a pickup truck.

Anyone who can identify this person, or anyone with any other information about this crime, is asked to submit a tip submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region by phone at 1-800-743-7433 or online at www.crimestoppersbr.org. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers through the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office mobile app. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.

UPDATE: Body Recovered in Bayou Lafourche Identified as Houma Man

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a body recovered from Bayou Lafourche on Tuesday has been identified. The body of 26-year-old Coby Lewis of Houma was found on Tuesday following an incident in which Lewis ran from deputies late Monday night.

On Monday, January 25, 2021, just before midnight, deputies had responded to a call of a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot at a restaurant on LA Highway 1 in Mathews. When deputies arrived, they found a man sitting inside a maroon SUV. Deputies made contact with the man and identified him as Coby Lewis. As deputies were speaking to Lewis outside his vehicle, Lewis ran from the scene, crossing LA Highway 1, and then he jumped into Bayou Lafourche. Shortly after he entered the bayou, deputies lost sight of him. With assistance from LPSO Water Patrol deputies, the Lockport Volunteer Fire Department, and the Houma Police Department, they searched the bayou and surrounding area through the night but were unable to locate him.

The search continued on Tuesday morning, and at around 11 a.m., Lewis’s body was recovered from Bayou Lafourche. The investigation points to Lewis’ suspected manner of death as drowning.

UPDATE: Runaway Teen Missing Since November 2020 Found in Florida

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a teen girl who has been missing since November 2020 has been found safe. Katherine Villeda-Hernandez, 14, of Larose was located in Bradenton, Florida, with assistance from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Villeda-Hernandez was last seen at her residence on South Main Street in Larose at around 12:00 a.m. on November 8, 2020. She left a hand-written note behind indicating she was running away from home. Investigators followed up on several leads since then but had been unable to locate her. Through investigation, detectives learned of the juvenile’s possible location at an address in Bradenton, Florida, on January 25, 2021. With assistance from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Villeda-Hernandez was located at a residence where she was staying with a friend. She confirmed that she had left home due to a disagreement with a family member.

Efforts are now underway to return Villeda-Hernandez to Louisiana. This investigation is continuing.

Deputies Investigating Suspected Drowning in Mathews

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a man’s body has been recovered from Bayou Lafourche. Deputies believe the deceased subject is a man who ran from deputies on Monday night.

On Monday, January 25, just before midnight, deputies had responded to a call of a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot in Mathews and found a man sitting inside. While speaking to the man, he ran from the scene and jumped into Bayou Lafourche. After he entered the bayou, deputies lost sight of him. With assistance from Water Patrol deputies, they searched through the night but were unable to locate him. The search continued Tuesday morning, and a body was recovered from Bayou Lafourche matching the man’s description.

The investigation into this suspected drowning is continuing. We will provide more information on this incident, including the identity of the deceased, as it can be made available.

Detectives Seeking Dirt Bike Thief Caught on Camera in Raceland

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking the public for assistance in identifying a person wanted in connection to a theft of an off-road motorcycle (“dirt bike”) in Raceland.

Investigators have determined the motorcycle, a red 2013 Honda, was stolen just before 5:30 a.m. on January 4, 2021. It was parked in an enclosed front patio of a residence. Surveillance video captured an unknown male subject arrive at the residence riding a bicycle. He removed the motorcycle from the patio area and pushed it to another location in the direction of LA Highway 1. He returned around 20 minutes later and retrieved the bicycle.

Dirt Bike Theft (Still) — Dirt Bike Theft (Still Photo)

Man Driving Stolen Car Arrested in Raceland

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Bayou Blue man who was found to be driving a stolen car. Jules Daigle III, 42, was arrested following a pursuit in Raceland on Friday evening.

Just after 5:30 p.m. on January 8, 2021, a K-9 deputy observed a white car on LA Highway 182 in Raceland which matched description of a stolen vehicle in a case he had worked in September 2020. After researching the license plate number, the deputy found the plate had been switched from another vehicle. Narcotics agents in the area assisted as the deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver of the car, later identified as Daigle, sped away from deputies, eventually turning onto the North Service Road in Raceland. The driver turned southbound on LA 1 and into the Sugarland Shopping Center parking lot. Daigle proceeded into Sugarland Subdivision, but his vehicle became disabled near the intersection of Sycamore Street and Cedar Street. Daigle then ran from the car, but the K-9 deputy pursued. Upon seeing the K-9 pursuing him, Daigle ran toward deputies and was taken into custody.

Daigle had been out on bond since December 2019 on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and improper lane usage, and that bond was surrendered upon his arrest. He also had a Contempt of Court warrant after missing a court date on those charges. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on Friday night on those charges as well as charges of Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Illegal Possession of Stolen Things, and a switched license plate. Bail is set at $70,600.