Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Detectives Seeking to Identify Man Who Stole Money from Church Donation Box

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking the public for assistance in identifying a person wanted for stealing money from a donation box at a Raceland church.

On February 2, 2021, deputies responded to St. Hilary of Poitiers Catholic Church in Raceland in reference to a burglary which had occurred overnight. Deputies learned an unknown male subject had entered the candle room at around 2:30 a.m. and stole cash from the donation box inside the room. Surveillance cameras captured images of the suspect who appears to be a white male dressed in a blue hooded sweatshirt, faded blue jeans, and light-colored shoes. Cameras also captured images of his vehicle – a light-colored minivan.

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.

LPSO Correctional Facilities Achieve ACA Accreditation

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office’s two correctional facilities have been officially accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA). The announcement follows an assessment of the programs and facilities which occurred in November 2020.

The Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex achieved its initial accreditation. Meanwhile, the Transitional Work Program achieved its fifth consecutive re-accreditation. The program was first accredited in 2004.

“These accreditations represent our agency’s commitment to excellence in the field of corrections,” said Sheriff Webre. “Over the past few years, we have changed the entire perspective on corrections among our staff and our inmate population. We hope these efforts can provide a level of transparency and accountability to help continue to change public perspectives on corrections as well.”

As announced in November, the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex was found to be in compliance with 100% of mandatory standards and all applicable voluntary standards. The Transitional Work Program, meanwhile, was also found to be in 100% compliance with mandatory standards. Of the applicable voluntary standards, the program was found to be in 99.5% compliance, having met 196 out of 197 standards. The only standard that was unable to be met was having natural light in the inmates’ sleeping areas.

Lafourche Parish becomes only the second parish in Louisiana to have its parish-operated facilities accredited by the ACA. Lafayette Parish is the other with accreditations for its Correctional Center and Transitional Work Program.

ACA Accreditation Logo

Man Arrested for Trio of Larose Burglaries

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced deputies have arrested a man in connection with burglaries in the Larose area. Craig Moler, 41, of Larose faces three counts of burglary.

On February 1, 2021, deputies responded to three burglary complaints in the Larose area. Deputies found a man had broken into the Larose Civic Center on the evening of January 31, 2021. Surveillance cameras captured video of the man wandering around the facility, and he consumed some of the food products inside. In another incident, which occurred during the early morning hours of February 1, a brick had been thrown through the door of a convenience store on LA Highway 1 in Larose. Surveillance video showed a man had entered the store and rummaged behind the counter. Deputies also responded to a residential burglary at a residence on Zachary Drive.

Through investigation, deputies developed Craig Moler as a suspect in all three incidents. Deputies made contact with him on February 1, and he was found to have stolen property stolen in his possession.

Moler was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He is charged with three counts of Simple Burglary of an Immovable Structure. Bail is set at $110,000, and he is also being held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.

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.

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.