Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Inmate Commissary Purchases and Deposits Now Available Online and via LPSO App

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the public can now make online commissary purchases and deposits for Lafourche Parish inmates through the LPSO app and website. This new feature is available for inmates at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex and the Lafourche Parish Transitional Work Program.

This online service was made newly available due to the Governor’s “Stay at Home” order in response to the spread of COVID-19. To that end, deposits on inmate accounts cannot be made in person while the “Stay at Home” order is in effect. The use of the online service is strongly encouraged and is the fastest way to get funds into an inmates account. If absolutely necessary, money orders can be mailed to an inmate. Cash deposits cannot be mailed.

“Like other public agencies, we continue to ask the public to conduct online transactions as often as possible,” said Sheriff Webre. “When it comes to our detention facilities, we must take every possible precaution. By offering this new online feature, we continue to have the safety of our employees, the inmates and the public at the forefront as we do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19.”

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office contracts with Tiger Correctional Services to provide inmate commissary. This allows inmates to purchase items while they are incarcerated such as snacks, beverages, and hygiene items. Through their website, an inmate’s loved ones can deposit money onto an inmate’s account or make purchases for them. Online deposits must be $5.00 at a minimum, and online purchases must be $10.00 at a minimum. Tiger Correctional Services also assesses a 3% fee for all online transactions.

To access this new online feature, go to “Inmate Information” on the LPSO app and select “Inmate Commissary.” You can also access it on the website at www.LPSO.net/commissary.

For those seeking to mail a money order to an inmate, please address is to the inmate at the appropriate facility:

Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, 2594 Veterans Blvd., Thibodaux, LA 70301
Transitional Work Program, 1156 U.S. Highway 90 East, Raceland, LA 70394

Convicted Felon Charged with Child Molestation

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a convicted felon from Thibodaux has been charged with child molestation. Dwayne Jones, 41, was arrested in September on other charges and was still in jail. He has an extensive and violent criminal history.

On September 17, 2019, a woman reported Dwayne Jones had inappropriately touched her daughter who was under the age of 13. Deputies attempted to contact Jones at a Raceland residence, but when they arrived, he began to run. Within moments, deputies caught up with Jones who continued to resist. He was eventually taken into custody and found to have a 9mm magazine in his possession. Jones indicated that he had tossed a gun away when he began to run from deputies. The firearm was located and found to be loaded. At that time, Jones was arrested and charged with Obstruction of Justice, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Resisting an Officer. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. His bail was set at over half a million dollars, and he was also held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.

Juvenile detectives began investigating the molestation complaint Following an extensive investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for Jones’ arrest.

On March 23, 2020, Jones, who was still in jail, was additionally booked on the charge of Molestation of a Juvenile Under 13 Years of Age. His total bail amount has now increased to $1,007,500, and he also continues to be held for Louisiana Probation and Parole.

Lafourche Parish Property Tax Sale Process Extended

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheriff Craig Webre announced the annual property tax sale process will be extended to a future date to be determined. The process typically begins in April with the tax sale during the summer months.

Any remaining balance on property tax payments can be made in full online at www.LPSO.net. Full and partial payments can be mailed in with a check or money order to Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, P.O. Box 5608, Thibodaux, LA 70302. Please make the check or money order payable to Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Once the process resumes, those who still owe will be notified by certified mail regarding the amount due.

For more information, please call (985) 449-4430.

LSA Scholarship Application Deadline Postponed

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre has announced that the application deadline for the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association annual scholarship has been postponed. The original deadline was April 1, 2020, but the deadline has been postponed to a date to be determined later.

Applications are still available for download online. Completed applications can still be mailed to Lieutenant Brennan Matherne, P.O. Box 5608, Thibodaux, LA 70302.

To download an application, or for more information, go to www.LPSO.net/scholarship.

DOTD makes temporary changes to GeauxPass operations

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced it will make temporary changes to operations at the LA 1 toll bridge in Leeville in order to follow statewide mandates of social distancing to help reduce the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus. The changes will begin at noon on Sunday, March 22 and be in place until April 22, 2020.

The cash/credit card lane will be closed, diverting southbound traffic to lane 2, known as the tag lane. Customers who do not have a toll tag will be required to go through the tag lane and will be sent an invoice in the mail for the price of the toll. There will not be any added fines or fees added to the invoice. These changes will not affect customers that currently have a GeauxPass toll account and tag for their vehicles.

Additionally, the lobby of the customer service center in Golden Meadow will be closed to the public. Motorists can open and make changes to their accounts, as well as make payments on current accounts and violations, by calling customer service at 1-866-662-8997 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or by visiting the GeauxPass website at http://www.geauxpass.com

For the up-to-date information on road closures and other incidents, check www.511la.org before you travel. For more information, please visit www.dotd.la.gov, email dotdcs@la.gov, or call DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683).

For updates on local information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, please download the LPSO app or go to www.LPSO.net/coronavirus.

UPDATE: New Impacts to LPSO Due to COVID-19

Sheriff Craig Webre announced today a new round of impacts to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office as it relates to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

All sheriffs’ sales of seized property and movables have been suspended until at least April 13, 2020. This is due to Governor Edwards’ recent proclamation suspending the provisions of civil procedures used in judicial proceedings in general.

Medical staff will continue to screen all arrested individuals prior to them entering the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. As previously announced, all in-person visits for inmates have been suspended, and video visitation is available through IC Solutions at www.icsolutions.com. The Correctional Complex is now utilizing an intercom system for public entry. Anyone with business at the complex must utilize the exterior intercom to state their business prior to being allowed to enter. For surety bonds, only bondsmen will be allowed to enter. For cash bonds, only one person will be allowed to enter to sign paperwork. For those paying fines and costs, only one person can enter to make a payment. If friends, family, or other associates are present during these transactions, they must wait outside the facility.

The Lafourche Parish Animal Shelter is only taking stray cats and dogs in emergency situations. Therefore, deputies will only be able to respond to calls for service involving vicious animals and/or when a bite has occurred. Also, animal control deputies are removing all traps at this time and will not be able to utilize them until further notice.

Like most government officials, Sheriff Webre is encouraging “social distancing.” For the safety of all, residents are asked to conduct business online, by email, or over the phone as much as possible. Property tax payments and payments of fees and fines can be made online at www.LPSO.net, as well as requests for background checks. For those needing fingerprinting, please call our office to schedule this service. If entering one of our lobbies, you may be asked to have your temperature taken or to wash/sanitize your hands.

Additionally, the LPSO Shooting Range is now closed to the public until further notice.

In a recent proclamation, Governor Edwards gave Louisiana sheriffs the authority to institute a curfew as part of the emergency measures in response to COVID-19. Sheriff Webre has not instituted a curfew for Lafourche Parish at this time. Should one become necessary in the future, a public announcement will be made detailing the parameters of the curfew.

To stay informed, citizens are urged to download the LPSO app for the latest local information and push alerts, as well as important links to local, state, and federal government information sites. The information is also available on our website at www.LPSO.net/coronavirus.

Please continue to use 911 for emergencies, and call (985) 532-2808 for all other services. Depending on the nature of the call, dispatchers may ask personal information about illness or symptoms.

UPDATE: Thibodaux Shooting Determined to Be Accidental

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced no charges have been filed in what has determined to be an accidental shooting that took place at a Thibodaux residence on March 13, 2020.

At 11:32 a.m. on Friday, March 13, a man called 911 in reference to a woman being shot in the torso after a gun had discharged. The woman was transported via helicopter to a hospital for treatment. She is expected to recover.

Through investigation, detectives learned that the woman’s husband was attempting to show her how to use the weapon when it discharged, striking her in the upper chest. Detectives have found no evidence of foul play, and the shooting has been determined to be accidental.

Sheriff Webre encourages citizens to always utilize proper gun safety techniques:

Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
Always keep the muzzle of the firearm pointed in a safe direction.
Always keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard unless you intend to fire the weapon.
If there are children in the home, use child safety locks or other locking mechanisms on your firearms and/or keep your firearms locked in a secure location accessible to adults only. Keep your ammunition locked in a secure location away from the firearms.
Wear appropriate ear and eye protection when discharging the firearm.

LPSO Offers Free Service to Check on Elderly Residents During COVID-19 Pandemic

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is urging citizens to take advantage of a free service to check on the welfare of elderly relatives, especially those who may be self-isolating due to COVID-19.

The “Are You OK?” program is a free telephone reassurance service provided by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. Through this program, the Sheriff’s Office places a daily phone call to a person at a specified time. If no response is received, a deputy is dispatched to the residence to check on that person. This service is designed to enhance the quality of life for elderly residents who live alone or those who are at risk of sudden illness, falls, accidents, or social isolation.

Citing guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Governor John Bel Edwards has recommended that all elderly citizens and those with chronic health conditions limit interactions with others.

Sheriff Webre said the “Are You OK?” program ensures someone will be checking on relatives every day and responding if an emergency occurs.

“For many years, our ‘Are You OK?’ program has been monitoring the welfare of elderly residents throughout the parish. With many people following recommendations to self-isolate during this COVID-19 pandemic, this program can ensure peace of mind for you and your family,” said Sheriff Webre.

Through the program, a phone call is placed by an automated system that instructs the call recipient to press any button to signify they are ok. If the call is not answered or a button is not pressed within five seconds, the system will attempt to call up to two additional numbers provided during enrollment. If there is no response from any of the numbers, a deputy is dispatched to the resident to check on the person.

For more information or to sign up for the program, please contact Deputy Melissa Simmons with LPSO Police Social Services at (985) 449-4478 or by email at melissa-simmons@lpso.net.

Sheriff Webre Issues Statement on Impacts to LPSO Due to COVID-19

Sheriff Craig Webre announced an update today regarding impacts to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office as it relates to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). On March 13, 2020, Governor John Bel Edwards announced the closure of all K-12 schools statewide as part of several measures attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, and Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson declared a State of Emergency.

“First and foremost, we want to ensure residents that we will continue to keep our community safe,” said Sheriff Webre. “While there will be minor impacts to our operations, Lafourche Parish citizens can count on us to continue providing quality public service with the utmost professionalism during this ongoing situation.”

Most notably, all in-person visits for inmates at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, Transitional Work Program, and South Lafourche Sub-station have been suspended in accordance with recommendations of the Louisiana Department of Corrections (DOC). Video visitation is available for residents away from the facilities through IC Solutions at www.icsolutions.com. Group visits for religious or other purposes have also been suspended. All work has been suspended for inmate labor (trusty) crews in accordance with DOC guidelines. Medical staff is screening all arrestees coming into the facilities for symptoms and will isolate individuals as necessary.

At this time, administrative offices will remain open for normal business. Citizens are, however, strongly encouraged to utilize online options in lieu of coming to the office in person when possible. For example, payments of fines and fees can be made at www.LPSO.net or on the LPSO app.

Employees have been instructed on proper guidelines for handwashing and disinfecting surfaces and objects to curb the spread of disease. Disinfectant has been made available to all employees to ensure proper disinfecting for vehicles, workstations, and duty belts, for example. If making contact with a person showing symptoms of sickness, deputies may place a mask on that individual when appropriate.

Regarding upcoming LPSO public events, the Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) Course scheduled for March 23-25 at Lady of the Sea Hospital has been canceled. The annual WWII Live Fire Demo which was being hosted at the LPSO Shooting Range on March 28 has also been postponed until further notice.

“Along with other parish officials, I want to encourage our residents to do their best to embrace this ‘new normal’ for the time being which means staying home as much as possible,” said Sheriff Webre. “The closure of schools and cancellation of many events has put an unexpected hardship on many people, including many of our own employees who must continue to work. As citizens in Lafourche Parish, we will all get through this together. I encourage you all to exercise patience and understanding and continue to adhere to precautionary measures. We will get through this.”

SCAM ALERT: Sheriff Webre Warns of COVID-19 Scams

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is warning consumers to beware of scammers who are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to rip off consumers with unproven claims of cures and treatments. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), scammers are setting up fake websites to sell bogus products and using fake emails, texts and social media posts as a ruse to take your money and get your personal information.

“In any crisis situation, scammers will seek to take advantage of fear and anxiety,” said Sheriff Webre. “We want to educate our citizens from the outset so that no one falls victim to one of these criminals.”

The FTC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently sent warning letters to seven companies regarding unsupported claims about products with the ability to treat COVID-19. Those letters were sent to the following companies: 1) Vital Silver, 2) Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd., 3) N-ergetics, 4) GuruNanda, LLC, 5) Vivify Holistic Clinic, 6) Herbal Amy LLC, and 7) The Jim Bakker Show. These companies’ products—including teas, essential oils, and colloidal silver—as able to treat or prevent coronavirus. According to the FDA, however, there are no approved vaccines, drugs, or investigational products currently available to treat or prevent the virus.

“We understand consumers are concerned about the spread of COVID-19 and urge them to talk to their health care providers, as well as follow advice from other federal agencies about how to prevent the spread of this illness. We will continue to aggressively pursue those that place the public health at risk and hold bad actors accountable,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D.

Sheriff Webre cautions citizens to be wary of emails advertising products related to COVID-19. “In many cases, these emails can be “phishing” scams where con artists create an email to appear as one from a reputable company, but they are just aiming to capture your personal data.”

To avoid phishing scams, type out a website address in your browser instead of clicking on a link in an email. When shopping online, look for the “secure” icon in the address bar, or check that the website address begins with “https.” Consumers are encouraged to shop with companies you know and trust and avoid using public Wi-Fi to shop from a mobile device.

To learn more about COVID-19 scams, go to FTC.gov/coronavirus.

To stay informed with local information on COVID-19, download the LPSO app or go to LPSO.net/coronavirus.