Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Webre Announces Plans for “Click It or Ticket” Campaign

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will join other local law enforcement agencies in participating in the Click-It or Ticket campaign which runs from November 25 through December 1, 2019. The campaign is coordinated and funded by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Additional deputies will be assigned to saturated patrol efforts, and there will be two checkpoints held in conjunction with the campaign. In a cooperative effort with the Thibodaux Police Department, two seat belt checkpoints will be conducted on Wednesday, November 27, 2019, in Lafourche Parish. During the seat belt checkpoints, deputies will be checking motorists for seat belt and safety seat violations, as well as other violations such as expired inspection tags.

“Click It or Ticket” is a seat belt enforcement campaign aimed at increasing the national seat belt usage rate. In 2018, observational surveys showed 13.1 percent of Louisiana drivers and passengers were not wearing seat belts.

Sheriff Craig Webre asks for patience and cooperation when passing through these checkpoints and for recognizing the importance of raising awareness for safety issues.

Donations Being Accepted for 26th Annual LPSO Christmas Bicycle Giveaway

Sheriff Craig Webre announced that donations are still being accepted for the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office’s 26th annual Christmas Bicycle Giveaway. Through this program, more than 4,400 bicycles have been distributed to needy children in our area. In 2018, 200 bikes were delivered to children throughout Lafourche Parish. Donations are accepted year-round, and used bicycles are refurbished and repaired by inmate workers.

Sheriff Webre asks that any bicycles donated at this time be either brand new or in need of only minor repairs due to the giveaway taking place next month. Monetary donations are also accepted, and checks should be made payable to the Lafourche Deputies Association with the words “Bike Giveaway” in the memo line. Bicycles and monetary donations may be dropped off at any Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office location through the parish.

Beginning December 2, 2019, any Lafourche Parish parent with a child in need can submit their child’s name, age, gender, address, phone number, and other qualifying information by calling (985) 632-8836. Due to high demand, requests should be limited to no more than two bicycles per family. The children must also live in Lafourche Parish.

LPSO Receives Grant from Louisiana Highway Safety Commission

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has received funding to assist with awareness and enforcement of occupant protection and impaired driving. The funding is provided through a grant by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Sheriff Craig Webre. “This funding will allow us to supplement our regular patrol efforts,” Sheriff Webre. “It will allow us to help ensure people are traveling safely and place additional deputies on the road to watch for dangers such as impaired drivers.”

The grant will provide funding for seat belt checkpoints and DWI checkpoints through September 2020. It will also provide funding for saturated patrol efforts wherein deputies will be patrolling the highways targeting impaired driving. While these efforts will continue throughout the year, there will be a special emphasis during national campaign periods such as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns.

Reminder: Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public Comment

Sheriff Craig Webre is reminding residents that a site-based assessment team from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®) will arrive Monday, December 2, 2019, to examine all aspects of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services.

“Verification by this team that the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of public safety professional excellence,” Sheriff Webre said.

As the Sheriff’s Office seeks reaccreditation under the Law Enforcement program, this review will also include a review of its Communications and Training Academy sections in efforts to achieve separate accreditation under CALEA. As part of the assessment, agency personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. The session will be conducted at the Main Courthouse in the Division “A” courtroom at 201 Green Street in Thibodaux, Louisiana.

If for some reason an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the assessment teams, he/she may do so by telephone. The public may call (985) 449-4421 between the hours of 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. Comments will be taken by the Law Enforcement Assessment Team. As part of the process for Public Safety Communications accreditation, the public and employees are invited to call (985) 387-4410 between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. As part of the process for Training Academy accreditation, the public and employees are invited to call (985) 387-4410 between the hours of 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.

Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA Standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Community Security Section Office at 200 Patriot Street in Thibodaux, Louisiana. The contact person is Deputy Lesley Hill at (985) 242-5526.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office must comply with nearly 600 standards in order to maintain the accredited status of the entire agency and achieve accredited status for Training and Communications, Sheriff Webre said. “We have maintained accredited status for nearly 20 years and the community has seen the benefits firsthand in the professional way the men and women of this agency serve the public,” Sheriff Webre added.

Accreditation is for four years, during which the agency must submit annual reports and participate in annual remote web-based assessments attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

For more information regarding CALEA®, please write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155 or call (703) 352-4225 or email

Cut Off Man Charged with Child Molestation

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Cut Off man for child molestation. Lain McMaster, 21, was arrested on November 14, 2019.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office recently opened an investigation into McMaster after learning he reportedly molested a girl under the age of 13. Investigators learned that during a recent incident at a Larose residence, McMaster allegedly touched the girl and stopped when someone approached.

On Thursday, November 14, deputies made contact with McMaster. During questioning, he admitted to his involvement in the crime.

McMaster was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Molestation of a Juvenile Under the Age of 13. Bail is set at $100,000.

The investigation into McMaster is continuing. Due to the nature of the crimes and investigation, detectives believe there may be additional victims. Any other victims are encouraged to contact Lieutenant Sean Scott of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (985) 532-4334.

Social Media Post Leads to Help for Suicidal Woman in Scotland after Call to LPSO

Sheriff Craig Webre reported that a suicidal woman in Scotland received assistance after a Lafourche resident saw a social media post and contacted the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

On the afternoon of November 8, 2019, a Lafourche Parish woman saw a post in a Facebook group about suicide awareness and prevention in which a woman in Scotland indicated she had possibly overdosed on medication and was armed with a knife. After a few minutes in which the woman had not responded to anyone on the post, the Lafourche Parish woman attempted to contact authorities in Scotland but was unable to reach them. At that point, she contacted the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office for assistance.

The woman’s profile indicated she lived in Kilmarnock, Scotland, and LPSO Communications deputies made contact with a local police department there. Within a short time, officers in Kilmarnock were able to properly identify and locate the woman. She was found to be having suicidal thoughts but was otherwise in good health. Officers said they would take the woman to receive help.

“This incident illustrates how social media has seemingly made the world a smaller place in that we were able to find a way to help a woman thousands of miles away,” said Sheriff Webre. “We thank our law enforcement partners in Scotland for their swift response in this matter, and we especially thank the local citizen who reported this to us. In all likelihood, she saved this woman’s life.”

Sheriff Webre reminds citizens to report any suspicious or criminal activity seen on social media. “The more information we have on any situation, the better we can respond to it,” said Sheriff Webre. “As our local citizen did in this incident, you should always try to determine the origin of a post and report it to the law enforcement agency in that jurisdiction. If you are unable to determine where a post originated, you can still contact your local law enforcement agency to investigate.”

Traffic Stop Leads to Drug and Weapon Charges for Raceland Man

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Raceland man was arrested on drug and weapon charges following a traffic stop. Joey Gilliam, 27, was arrested on November 11, 2019.

Shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Monday, November 11, a K-9 deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling on LA Highway 182 in Raceland. The deputy identified the driver as Joey Gilliam. The deputy smelled the odor of suspected marijuana, and the K-9 alerted to the possible presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. The deputy found over 15 ounces of marijuana inside a glass jar, a box of small plastic bags, a scale, and a loaded pistol. The deputy also discovered small amounts of synthetic marijuana, MDMA, and a prescription drug. Gilliam was also found to have a small amount of the prescription drug on his person, as well as another pistol.

Gilliam was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. He was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Possession of MDMA, Synthetic Marijuana, Drug Paraphernalia, and a Legend Drug. He was also charged with Illegal Carrying of a Weapon in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and improper vehicle lighting. His bail is set at $31,600.

Accreditation Assessment Team Invites Public Comment

Sheriff Craig Webre announced that a site-based assessment team from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®) will arrive Monday, December 2, 2019, to examine all aspects of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services.

For more information regarding CALEA®, please write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155 or call (703) 352-4225 or email calea@calea.org.

Woman Arrested in October Faces New Charges after Home Incarceration Violation

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of Misty Kuramoto, 29, of Lockport on Wednesday. Kuramoto removed her ankle monitor and left her residence two days after being ordered to pre-trial home incarceration.

As previously released, Kuramoto was arrested on October 24, 2019, for a string of vehicle burglaries and thefts in the Lockport area. When deputies located her, she was found to be in possession of the stolen items which were later returned to the respective owners. She was also found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. At that time, she was charged with three counts of Simple Burglary, two counts of Theft, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

On November 4, 2019, she was ordered into the pre-trial home incarceration program. She was ordered to be confined to her residence in Lockport with an ankle monitor.

Two days later, at around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, November 6, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office received an alert that Muramoto’s ankle monitor was tampered with. Officers from the Lockport Police Department responded to her residence and found that she was not there which was a violation of the terms of her home incarceration. Through investigation, deputies tracked Kuramoto’s location to a residence on East 23rd Street in Larose. Deputies located her at the residence, and she was taken into custody.

Kuramoto was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. She was charged with Simple Escape and Tampering with Electronic Monitoring Equipment. She was also booked again on the charges from the previous arrest. Her total bail is now set at $45,850.

Free Hunter Education Field Day Slated for November 20, 2019

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a FREE Hunter Education Field Day on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 for anyone ages 10 or older who has completed the home study course. The class will take place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the LPSO Shooting Range located at 3451 Highway 182 in Raceland.

As an alternative to the traditional two-day classroom course, a Home Study Course is available online through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website. Those who complete the home study course MUST take their completion voucher to a “Field Day” to complete their hunter education. Entry to the Field Day will be denied unless the completed forms are presented. There will be a written test required to complete the Field Day. Class size is limited. Advance registration is required. CLICK HERE to register for the Field Day.

Firearms and ammunition should NOT be brought to this course, but snacks are permitted. For more information, or for assistance with online registration, call the LPSO Training Academy at (985) 387-4480 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email Lieutenant Nolan Smith at nolan-smith@lpso.net.

*Anyone born after September 1, 1969, who wishes to obtain a hunting license in Louisiana, must successfully complete a hunter education course. Exceptions may be granted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for active or veteran members of the United States armed services, for any P.O.S.T.-certified law enforcement officer, or for persons who are under the direct supervision of a person 18-years or older who is already licensed and has taken the approved course. Exceptions must be applied for and approved by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.