Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Lafourche Parish Correctional Facilities to Be Audited for Accreditation

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Corrections Department is preparing to host auditors from the American Correctional Association (ACA) in efforts to gain reaccreditation for the Transitional Work Program and the initial accreditation for the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. The Transitional Work Program has been accredited by the ACA since 2004. Last year’s scheduled audit was moved to this year in order to combine the reviews of both facilities.

Both facilities are voluntarily seeking accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections by demonstrating compliance with national established standards. A three-person audit team will conduct a standards compliance audit November 9-11, 2020, at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. Two members of the team will continue their work, conducting a separate audit of the Transitional Work Program November 12-13, 2020.

Information relevant to compliance with standards can be emailed to ACA’s Standards and Accreditation Department at SAC@aca.org or submitted in writing to the American Correctional Association at 206 North Washington Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.

“Accreditation is an important part of the checks and balances process on this agency,” said Sheriff Webre. “The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, as a whole, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. The American Correctional Association provides specific and stellar direction for our corrections facilities. We look forward to their review and input on how to further improve on each operation.”

LPSO to Participate in No Shave November Fundraiser to Help Fight Cancer

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will join several area law enforcement agencies in participating in No Shave November, a national effort to raise awareness and funding for the fight against cancer in the month of November.

Deputies and officers who donate $25 will be allowed to grow a beard during the month of November. Policies of many law enforcement agencies prohibit facial hair other than a mustache. These policies will be suspended for the month of November for those who donate money at each agency. All money collected will be donated to the American Cancer Society

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office which is spearheaded the project once again. In 2019, the combined efforts of all agencies involved resulted in over $20,000 being raised for the American Cancer Society. That included over $5,500 raised in Lafourche Parish alone.

“After such positive response from our staff and the public last year, it was an easy decision to take part in No Shave November again this year,” said Sheriff Webre. “Each of us has been affected by cancer in some way – whether it be ourselves, a family member or friend. This symbolic gesture is our way of embracing our hair which many cancer patients lose during treatment. We hope one day these fundraising efforts will result in a cure for this horrible disease.”

The American Cancer Society funds and conducts research, shares expert information, supports patients, and spreads the word about prevention. For more information on the American Cancer Society, please visit their website: www.cancer.org.

The public is welcomed to join in our efforts to participate to raise money for this great cause. Checks can be made out to the American Cancer Society and dropped off at any Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office location through the month of November.

Curfew Announced for Lafourche Parish

Due to the damage and widespread power outages caused by Hurricane Zeta, Parish President Archie Chaisson and Sheriff Craig Webre have announced a parish-wide curfew will go into effect for Lafourche Parish from 7:00 PM tonight and will stay in place until Thursday, October 29 at 6:00 AM.

Sheriff Webre Urges Citizens to Prepare as Zeta Approaches

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is urging citizens to complete hurricane preparations today – Tuesday, October 27 – as Tropical Storm Zeta is projected to strengthen to a hurricane and bring strong winds and rain to our area on Wednesday.

The administrative offices of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will be closed on Wednesday, October 28, but additional deputies will be on patrol. Residents can rest assured that all necessary functions required to serve and protect our communities are in place and we are utilizing all available equipment throughout the duration of the threat of the storm. In the event of an emergency, please call 911. For non-emergencies, call (985) 532-2808.

Tropical storm force winds are expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon, but could begin as early as Wednesday morning. Residents should take time this evening to ensure ditches and catch basins are cleared of any debris or obstructions. Secure any loose items outside your home and around your property, including outdoor furniture and holiday decorations. Also, check your storm supply kits and be sure you have enough food and water in case electricity is lost for several days.

For the latest information including push notifications about any evacuation orders or other important updates, download the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office app. You can also stay up to date via our website at LPSO.net/Zeta and check back often for updates. Information on the app and website is updated frequently and collected from all parish agencies to keep you posted with the most critical and up-to-date information. You can also monitor social media for updates by following @LafourcheSO on Facebook and Twitter.

Concealed Handgun Course Slated for November 21

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced a Concealed Handgun Training Course will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2020, 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). All individuals must wear a mask or face covering while in the classroom or the range office. Masks or face coverings are not required on the pistol ranges for those adhering to proper physical distancing.

The cost for the course is $110, and advance online registration is required 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 Captain Lafate Day at (985) 449-4485 or by email at lafate-day@lpso.net.

Houma Man Arrested for Sex Crimes Involving Children in Lafourche and Terrebonne

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet announced a Houma man has been arrested for sex crimes involving children in both parishes. Investigations revealed David Todd, 61, allegedly victimized four children in several incidents over a period of nearly two decades.

Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives responded to a complaint on September 24, 2020, that David Wayne Todd had molested a relative who was under the age of 16. During the investigation detectives learned that Todd had molested another relative, who was under 13, on multiple occasions. Additionally, information was gathered concerning past molestation of another relative.

Terrebonne Parish detectives reached out to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, and investigators from both agencies worked closely together, resulting in the development of information that led to Todd’s arrest. On September 24, Todd was arrested and booked into the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex for felony Molestation of a Juvenile in Terrebonne Parish. He was also served with additional warrants for Lafourche Parish including Aggravated Crimes Against Nature, First Degree Rape, and Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile. As the investigation continued, Lafourche investigators obtained new warrants on October 20, 2020. Those charges included two counts of Aggravated Incest, Aggravated Rape, and Molestation of a Juvenile. The total bail amount for all charges in both parishes combined is $1.65 million.

Sheriff Soignet said these cases exemplify the kind of results that can occur when agencies work closely together. “Compassion and investigative abilities were both required for these cases,” Sheriff Soignet said. “I am grateful for the hard work our detectives did, as well as the dedication of Sheriff Craig Webre’s detectives in Lafourche Parish. We are always stronger together.”

Sheriff Webre echoed Sheriff Soignet’s remarks. “Dealing with cases involving such heinous crimes can be a strain on all involved,” said Sheriff Webre. “With multiple incidents and victims over such a long period of time, it was great to have the assistance of Sheriff Soignet and his staff on this case. Now, as this moves through the justice system, we hope the families involved can at least begin the healing process.”

Man Charged with Attempted Murder for Shooting Incident Following Hit-and-Run Crash

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Bayou Blue man has been charged with attempted murder for shooting another man following a hit-and-run crash. Larry Dunn Jr., 41, was arrested following the shooting incident on Tuesday night.

At around 8 p.m. on October 20, 2020, investigators learned a man in his 20s was traveling east in his pickup truck with one passenger on Bayou Blue Bypass Road when Dunn, driving a white SUV, struck the victim’s truck while passing him. Dunn did not stop or slow down, and the victim followed the SUV. Dunn drove to Peanut Lane and turned around in a residential yard and began driving in the direction of the victim’s truck. The victim stopped his truck, and as Dunn passed him, a single shot was fired from the driver’s side toward the victim. The round struck the door of the truck and proceeded to the interior, grazing the victim’s torso. The injury was not life-threatening, and the victim declined medical treatment.

As deputies responded, they learned the suspect’s vehicle was on Ledet Drive and proceeded to that location with assistance from officers with the Thibodaux Police Department. Deputies encountered Dunn who was armed with a handgun and standing behind his vehicle. Dunn initially resisted deputies’ commands, but deputies were able to convince Dunn to drop the firearm and surrender. He was taken into custody, and the firearm and other evidence were collected at the scene.

Dunn was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. He was charged with Attempted Second Degree Murder, Hit-and-Run Driving, and Resisting an Officer. He is being held without bail.

Dunn is from Wisconsin, and detectives are investigating his criminal history there. He also has an extensive criminal history in Louisiana with numerous arrests for batteries and assaults, as well as theft, resisting, property damage and a number of traffic violations.

Law Enforcement District to Hold Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Millage Roll-Forward

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre has announced the Lafourche Parish Law Enforcement District will hold a public hearing regarding the levying of millage rates at 9 a.m. on October 30, 2020. The hearing will be held at the Law Enforcement District’s regular meeting place located in the conference room of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Administrative Building at 200 Canal Boulevard in Thibodaux.

Pursuant to Article 7, Section 23(C) of the Louisiana Constitution and Louisiana Revised Statute 47:1705(B), the district will hold the public hearing to consider levying additional or increased millage rates without further voter approval or adopting the adjusted millage rates after reassessment and rolling forward to rates not to exceed the prior year’s maximum.

The total amount of tax revenue anticipated to be collected from the prior year’s legislative millage is $10,078,563.55. During this year’s reassessment, this legislative millage was adjusted down to 10.220 mills from the 2019 maximum millage rate of 10.370 mills by the Lafourche Parish Assessor. The estimated amount of tax revenues to be collected in the next tax year from increasing the legislative millage back to the prior year’s maximum rate of 10.370 mills is $10,226,487.67, and the estimated amount of increase in taxes attributable to the millage increase is $147,924.12. As this increase (“roll-forward”) is available, it may be sought in order to off-set the rise in operating costs since the last reassessment in the year 2016. The decision to increase (“roll-forward”) will be discussed at the aforementioned public hearing.

Following this public hearing, there will be a public meeting of the Lafourche Parish Law Enforcement District that will be held at its regular meeting place located in the Conference Room of the Sheriff’s Office Administrative Building at 200 Canal Boulevard, Thibodaux, Louisiana on October 30, 2020 at 9:30 a.m., to consider and adopt the 2020 adjusted-millage-rate after Reassessment (as determined by the Lafourche Parish Assessor) as well as to consider and adopt the “roll forward” rate to a rate not to exceed the prior year’s maximum-millage-rate.

Track Loader and Trailer Stolen from Job Site in Thibodaux

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are investigating the theft of equipment at a construction site in Thibodaux.

On Thursday morning, deputies were flagged down by a man who reported equipment had been stolen from his construction company at a job site on Shadow Pointe Road in Thibodaux. Deputies learned a white Bobcat compact track loader and a 20-foot trailer were stolen. Combined, the property is valued up to $45,000. Investigators confirmed the equipment was last seen at the job site on the afternoon of Monday, October 12.

As the investigation continues, detectives are asking for the public’s help in solving this crime. Anyone with information on this crime is asked to 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.

Deputy Charged with Simple Battery During Recent Arrest

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy has been dismissed and criminally charged for an incident during a recent arrest. Aaron Buckley, 29, of Schriever faces two counts of Simple Battery for his actions during an arrest earlier this month.

The incident occurred on October 3, 2020, and involved the arrest of a woman. An internal investigation found the tactics Buckley used during the arrest were not in line with Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office training. On October 13, 2020, Buckley was charged with two counts of Simple Battery for actions during the arrest. Buckley’s employment with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office lasted for more than seven years, and he was terminated upon his arrest.

“I am extremely disappointed with this deputy’s behavior,” said Sheriff Webre. “His actions in this situation were not in line with his training and not what I would expect from a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy. We hold the men and women of our agency to the highest standards, and that means holding them accountable when they take actions beyond their authority.”