Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Investigators Arrest Georgia Man on Conspiracy Charges in Connection with a Scam

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives have made an arrest as part of an investigation into a scam. Diego Diaz, 47, of Georgia was arrested after being caught trying to accept thousands in cash from a scam victim.

On December 10, 2024, an elderly Thibodaux man contacted the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office about a scam. He had received notification of an online purchase that had been made through Walmart for a dishwasher. The man contacted Walmart which had no record of the purchase and was informed the notification was likely a scam. He then received a call from a person claiming to be from the Federal Trade Commission who claimed to be investigating money laundering. He told the elderly man that in order to keep his money safe, he should withdraw $40,000 to be picked up by investigators and put into safekeeping. Investigators worked with the victim to coordinate a pickup at 10 a.m. the following day.

On December 11, the elderly man was provided detailed instructions from the scammer on how to package the cash to provide to a courier. Maintaining surveillance at the location, investigators observed the courier arrive, and he was immediately taken into custody. He was identified as Diego Diaz. Further investigation revealed Diaz had acted as a courier in similar transactions in other areas as well, and is associated with a larger criminal organization that spans the southern United States.

Diaz was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on charges including conspiracy to commit extortion, conspiracy to commit felony theft, and conspiracy to commit exploitation of the infirmed. He is being held without bond on these charges, and he is also being held for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This investigation is continuing with cooperation from neighboring parishes where similar incidents have occurred as well as in cooperation with federal authorities.

Sheriff Webre reminds citizens to always be skeptical of any calls they receive asking for money or trying to “protect” their money as part of a larger investigation. “Anytime someone suggests you not tell anyone, even law enforcement, what is happening and asks you for money, you can bet it’s a scam,” said Sheriff Webre. “We were fortunate to arrest someone appearing in person, but in most cases, everything is done electronically, and once money is sent, it is difficult – if not impossible – to recover. We strongly encourage anyone to contact local law enforcement for help before exchanging money.”

Student Charged for Bringing Replica Pistol to Elementary School in Thibodaux

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Lafourche Parish Schools Superintendent Jarod Martin announced an 11-year-old boy has been charged after school resource officers discovered he had brought a replica BB pistol to C.M. Washington Elementary School.

School resource officers opened an investigation on Thursday, December 12 after another student reported the boy had brought a firearm to school. It was determined that he did not have a firearm in his possession, but he admitted bringing a replica pistol to school at some point in November 2024. The replica BB pistol was turned over to deputies and found to be a replica of a Glock 17 handgun. The student was charged with violating Louisiana R.S. 14:95.2 which prohibits carrying a dangerous weapon onto school property. He was then released to the custody of a relative.

“I am once again reminding parents that these types of guns are extremely dangerous,” said Sheriff Webre. “Aside from the obvious injuries they can cause outright, these pistols are nearly indistinguishable from a firearm, especially in the split-second in which someone would be faced with one. We urge everyone to refrain from using these in public settings and to modify the pistol so that it does not look like an actual firearm.”

Superintendent Martin said, “The Lafourche Parish School District is committed to the safety of all of our students and staff. The presence of any weapon of any kind on school grounds will not be tolerated. There will be severe consequences from the school district and law enforcement for anyone who brings any type of weapon onto our campuses.”

“The student who came forward and reported this incident is to be commended,” Martin added. “Please remind your students that they should immediately report anything suspicious to an adult on campus.”

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over During the Holidays

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is joining other local law enforcement agencies in participating in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign which will take place December 13, 2024 runs through January 1, 2025. The campaign is coordinated and funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Throughout the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, additional deputies will be assigned to saturated patrol efforts to target impaired drivers and help keep motorists safe.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one person is killed, on average, every 39 minutes in a drunk-driving crash. This totals more than 13,000 lives lost each year.

Sheriff Craig Webre reminds citizens to have a plan to get home safely before deciding 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.

UPDATE: One Arrested, One Sought in Lockport Armed Robbery

UPDATE: Gohil has been arrested.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced one man has been arrested and another is being sought in connection with a November 2024 armed robbery that occurred in Lockport. Clyde “Trey” Hodge III, 28, of Gonzales has been arrested. Investigators have also obtained a warrant for the arrest of Vijay Gohil, 54, of Kenner.

At around 7 p.m. on November 6, 2024, deputies were notified of an armed robbery that occurred just outside a motel in Lockport. Through investigation, detectives learned a man was outside the motel when he was approached by a masked man with a gun who demanded money and the victim’s cell phone. The victim gave cash to the masked man, but he did not have a phone. The masked suspect then forced the victim into a building and closed him inside before leaving the area in a van driven by a second suspect. Through investigation, detectives identified Hodge as the masked man and Gohil as the driver, and they obtained arrest warrants.

On December 2, 2024, Hodge was located by the St. Gabriel Police Department and placed under arrest. He was initially booked into the Iberville Parish Jail. He was later transferred to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was booked with armed robbery and armed robbery with the use of a firearm. He was released on December 6 after posting bail in the amount of $150,000. He is currently on home incarceration.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating Vijay Gohil who is wanted for principal to armed robbery and principal to armed robbery with the use of a firearm. Anyone who sees him or knows his whereabouts can contact Detective Blake Thibodaux at 985-532-4352 or blake-thibodaux@lpso.net. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Bayou Region Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices. Tipsters who use Bayou Region Crime Stoppers could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.

Man Sought for Disturbance at Thibodaux High School

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a man is wanted for causing a disturbance at Thibodaux High School last week. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Marvin Rainey, 43, of Thibodaux.

On December 3, 2024, Rainey, a parent of a student at the school, entered a classroom and made several threatening statements to the teacher and students in the class. Following an investigation of the incident, deputies obtained a warrant for Rainey’s arrest for unlawful disruption of the operation of a school (R.S. 14:40.6), a felony. Deputies have made multiple attempts to contact Rainey, but they have been unable to locate him.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating Marvin Rainey. Anyone who sees him or knows his whereabouts can submit a tip anonymously to Bayou Region Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.

Three Charged in Thursday Night Shooting in Raceland

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced three people have been charged in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in Raceland on Thursday night. Two people were injured in the shooting. Payton Scott, 18, of Bayou Blue, Kayleigh Gregoire, 19, of Houma, and a 16-year-old male all face charges in the incident.

Just after 9:30 p.m. on December 5, 2024, LPSO received a call about a shooting that had occurred in the 100 block of Brooklyn Lane in Raceland. Through investigation, detectives learned Gregoire and another female allegedly lured a 17-year-old male to the residence promising a sexual encounter but planning to have Scott and the juvenile rob him instead. When the victim arrived, Scott and the juvenile approached him and were armed. Gunfire was exchanged between them and the victim who was grazed by one round on his hand. He sought medical treatment at a local hospital and was released. The other female involved was also struck twice in the gunfire exchange, and she was later airlifted to a New Orleans hospital for treatment. She remains in critical but stable condition.

Scott and the juvenile were charged with attempted armed robbery and use of a firearm in an attempted armed robbery. Scott was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. Bail is set at $150,000. The juvenile was placed in the Juvenile Justice Facility in Thibodaux.

Gregoire was charged with principal to attempted armed robbery and principal to attempted armed robbery with the use of a firearm. She was also booked into the Correctional Complex, and bail is set at $150,000.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and additional charges are possible.

MISSING PERSON: Kenneth Friedlander

UPDATE: Friedlander has been found and is safe.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 76-year-old Kenneth Friedlander of West Main Street in Cut Off. He was last seen at his home around 6 a.m. on Monday, December 2, 2024. He left his home driving a gray 2021 Toyota Highlander bearing a Louisiana license plate “852 EOG.” His vehicle was reportedly last seen headed westbound on Bayou Road near Tiger Drive in Thibodaux.

Friedlander is described as 6’2” tall, weighing approximately 220 pounds with brown eyes. He is possibly wearing black pants, a black or gray jacket, and a black cap. He suffers from medical issues and may be disoriented. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 911.

Lafourche Parish 2024 Property Tax Notices Now Available Online

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced 2024 property taxes can now be viewed and paid online at LPSO.net/PayMyTaxes. Online payments can be made by debit/credit card and e-check, and beginning this year, payments can also be made via PayPal and Venmo. All tax payments are due by December 31, 2024, and delinquent taxes accrue interest of 1% per month until paid per state law plus the cost for delinquent collections. These taxes help fund all aspects of public service in the parish such as roads, drainage, levees, law enforcement, fire departments, hospitals, ambulance services, schools, and recreation.

A printed version of your tax notice will be mailed out soon. A QR code is printed on the notice which can be scanned to pay taxes directly on your smartphone. Alternatively, payments can be mailed using the envelope provided with the tax notice received in the mail. Check, money order or cash will also be accepted at the LPSO Administrative Office (200 Canal Boulevard, Thibodaux), the Criminal Operations Center (805 Crescent Avenue, Lockport) and at the South Lafourche Substation (102 West 91st Street, Cut Off). Taxes can be paid at those offices from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, but offices are closed on weekends and holidays. Payments can also be made over the phone by calling (985) 449-4430, and selecting option 1 for the payment center. (NOTE: For those using online bill pay through a bank, please make payments to Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, P.O. Box 5608, Thibodaux, LA 70302.)

For those unable to pay in full by the end of this year, partial payments can be made at our office or by mailing directly to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, P.O. Box 5608, Thibodaux, LA 70302 instead of using the envelope provided. Each partial payment must be at least 25% of the total amount of property tax due, and the first partial payment must be made by December 31, 2024. The remaining unpaid amount is still subject to the 1% monthly penalty and must be paid in full by March 15, 2025.

Property owners who do not receive a tax notice in the mail are still responsible for the payment of taxes. In some cases, tax bills may be sent to the previous property owner or might be lost in the mail. Additionally, anyone with a mortgage should check with their mortgage company before submitting payment as property taxes are sometimes paid through escrow.

Any unpaid property taxes are subject to tax sale and additional fees and penalties. For more information on this and other details about your tax notice, go to LPSO.net/PayMyTaxes and search “last name, first name.” Questions regarding the amount owed, property assessment or property ownership should be directed to the Lafourche Parish Assessor’s Office at (985) 447-7242. Questions about charges pertaining to property abatement liens should be directed to Lafourche Parish Government by calling (985) 532-6229 or, for those in the Town of Golden Meadow, please call (985) 475-5212.

Sheriff Webre Announced Plan for “Click It Or Ticket” for Thanksgiving Week 2024

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 23-30, 2024. This campaign is coordinated and funded by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

During the busy Thanksgiving week, millions of Americans will hit the roads, eager to spend time with family and friends. It is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and it is important to follow critical safety practices when traveling, like wearing a seat belt.

During the campaign, additional deputies will be assigned to saturated patrol efforts. They will be focused on ensuring vehicle occupants are properly restrained, including child seats.

According to the Center for Analytics and Research Transportation Safety at LSU, more than half of the drivers and passengers who died in motor vehicle crashes last year were not properly restrained. During the Thanksgiving holiday alone, 454 were injured on Louisiana roads in 2023. Since 2019, 54 people in Louisiana have died in crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Click It or Ticket is a seat belt enforcement campaign aimed at increasing the national seat belt usage rate. Sheriff Craig Webre asks for patience and cooperation when passing through these checkpoints and for recognizing the importance of raising awareness for safety issues.

LPSO Accepting Nominations of Children in Need for 31st Annual Bicycle Giveaway

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is now accepting nominations of children in need for the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office’s 31st annual Christmas Bicycle Giveaway. Since 1992, more than 5,500 bicycles have been distributed to families in need in our area, including 225 in 2023 alone.

All requests must be completed by Wednesday, December 4, 2024. Requests can be submitted online at LPSO.net/BikeGiveaway.

Due to high demand each year, requests should be limited to no more than two bicycles per household/family, and children must live in Lafourche Parish. LPSO will make every effort to fulfill all requests, but not every person requesting a bike will receive one. Families will be informed whether they have been selected on the day of delivery.

Donations from the public will help fulfill these requests. Monetary donations and donations of new bikes are currently being accepted at all LPSO office locations. Monetary donations are accepted in the form of cash, money orders, or checks 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 throughout the parish. For more information about making a donation, contact Captain Brennan Matherne at brennan-matherne@lpso.net or call (985) 632-5843.