Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex Recognized for Project Achievement and Environmental Certification

Jason Reibert (left), Chapter President of the Construction Management Association of America, presents awards to Sheriff Craig Webre (center) and Jim Brown (right), Director of Preconstruction Services at W.G. Yates & Sons Construction Company. — Jason Reibert (left), Gulf Coast Chapter President of the Construction Management Association of America, presents awards to Sheriff Craig Webre (center) and Jim Brown (right), Director of Preconstruction Services at W.G. Yates & Sons Construction Company.

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex has been recognized with a regional project achievement award by the Construction Management Association of America. Sheriff Webre accepted the award on August 21, 2019 in New Orleans at the annual Regional Infrastructure Conference for the association’s Gulf Coast Chapter. The complex was recognized as the top project in the region among all government construction under $50 million. W.G. Yates & Sons Construction Company, the Construction Manager At Risk for the project, also received the award. As the recipient of the regional award, the project will now compete for the award at the national level with the winner to be announced in September 2019.

Additionally, the U.S. Green Building Council has certified the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex as a LEED Gold project. “LEED” stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. In order to achieve LEED certification, a construction project must meet at least 40 guidelines aimed at environmentally-responsible building design. The Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex exceeded that baseline, meeting 62 guidelines to attain “LEED Gold” certification.

“We constructed this facility to meet the needs of the criminal justice system in Lafourche Parish today and into the future,” said Sheriff Webre. “The LEED Gold certification shows we were also forward-thinking with regard to the long-term impact this facility would have on our local environment. We also certainly appreciate the Construction Management Association of America’s recognition of this incredible facility.”

Sheriff Webre added, “Our team overcame a number of obstacles to provide a facility the citizens of Lafourche Parish could be proud of – not just as a place to house inmates, but as a place for rehabilitation and with an aim of reducing recidivism.”

For more information on the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, please visit www.LPSO.net/LPCC. For more information on the Construction Management Association of America, please visit www.CMAANET.org. For more information on LEED certification, please visit the U.S. Green Building Council at www.USGBC.org.

New Orleans Man Facing Charges in Multiple Parishes for Identity Theft

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced one man is in custody and another is being sought for theft by identity fraud in multiple parishes. Charles Williams, 28, of New Orleans is currently in custody in St. Charles Parish, and he is facing additional charges in Lafourche and Terrebonne.

Earlier this month, detectives learned two men had arrived at a Thibodaux business and attempted to purchase equipment worth several thousand dollars. Their credit card was declined, and they left the store. Detectives learned the men had purchased several thousand dollars of equipment at a Houma location of the same business. In both cases, the men used a credit card under another person’s name, and they were traveling in a Penske rental truck.

Then, on Thursday, August 29, detectives learned the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office had just arrested two individuals who were attempting to purchase lawn mowers with multiple declined credit cards. One of those men was identified as Charles Williams, and detectives from the Sheriff’s Office in Lafourche and Terrebonne identified him as a suspect in the aforementioned incidents in Thibodaux and Houma. Williams admitted to his involvement in the crimes, and detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest. Investigators have not yet been able to identify the second person involved in the incidents in Houma and Thibodaux.

Williams remains in custody in St. Charles Parish. Detectives obtained a warrant for one count of Attempted Identity Theft, a felony. Bail will be set at $50,000.

Anyone with any possible knowledge of the second suspect is encouraged 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 using the P3 Tips app on your mobile device. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.

Deputies Seek to Identify Raceland Vehicle Burglary Suspects

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help to identify suspects in a recent vehicle burglary.

During the early morning hours of August 25, 2019, a vehicle burglary occurred on Gibson Street in Raceland. The vehicle was parked at a residence with security cameras which captured images of the suspects taking a backpack from inside the vehicle. Deputies also found a neighboring residence with security cameras which captured video of two suspects walking through the neighbor’s carport, and a third suspect is seen briefly at the end of the video.

Deputies are asking for the public’s help in solving this crime. Anyone who can identify the suspects 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 using the P3 Tips app on your mobile device. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.

Link to video: https://youtu.be/0n3y9_3aeXU

UPDATE: Suspect Identified, Arrested in Raceland Business Theft Investigation

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced an anonymous tip helped identify a man wanted for theft in a recent investigation. Chester Bernal, 25, of Lockport was arrested on August 21, 2019.

As previously announced, detectives had been investigating the theft of aluminum from a business located on North Service Road in Raceland. Several aluminum construction beams were stolen from the front area of the business location. Detectives obtained surveillance photos of the suspect from the area around the time of the theft.

After releasing the photos to the public, Crime Stoppers Bayou Region received several tips identifying the suspect as Chester Bernal. Detectives made contact with Bernal, and he admitted to his involvement in the crime.

Bernal was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Felony Theft and Criminal Trespassing. He was released on August 22 after posting $3,500 bail.

LPSO has identified Daronti Antonio Wesley as a Most Wanted Fugitive

8/23/2019 UPDATE: He is now in custody.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are actively pursuing the arrest of Daronti Antonio Wesley, B/M, DOB 4/16/99, who presently has eight (8) active warrants in Lafourche Parish. These warrants have been issued for various charges to include, Aggravated Flight From an Officer, Resisting an Officer with Force or Violence, and Illegal Possession of Stolen Things. At present, the eight (8) warrants have a total bond of $381,050.00. Wesley is also a person of interest in a recent homicide and should be considered armed and dangerous. Any person or persons who knowingly aid Mr. Wesley in avoiding apprehension may also be subject to criminal charges.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Daronti Antonio Wesley is asked to contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Divisions at (985) 532-4320 or 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 using the P3 Tips app on your mobile device. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.

Seat Belt Checkpoint Slated for August 25, 2019

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct a seat belt checkpoint in Lafourche Parish during the evening hours of Sunday, August 25, 2019. During this checkpoint, deputies will be checking motorists for seat belt and safety seat violations, as well as for proper inspection tags and other potential violations.

Checkpoints are designed to help raise awareness for these types of violations and make the highways of the parish safer for all motorists.

Detectives Seek to Identify Suspect in Raceland Theft Investigation

8/21/2019 UPDATE: Suspect has been identified and arrested.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are seeking to identify a man wanted in connection to a theft investigation in Raceland.

Detectives recently began investigating the theft of aluminum from a business located on North Service Road in Raceland. Several aluminum construction beams were stolen from the front area of the business location. The suspect, a white male, was seen driving a Chevrolet pickup truck at the time of the theft. Further investigation revealed the suspect visited an area convenience store, and detectives obtained photos of the suspect captured by surveillance cameras.

Anyone who can identify the suspects or anyone with any other 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 using the P3 Tips app on your mobile device. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.

Longtime Member of LPSO Inducted into R.A.D. Systems International Hall of Fame

Lucie Morvant Hall Of Fame — Lucie Morvant (center) is inducted into the R.A.D. International Hall of Fame at the annual conference. She is pictured with Archie Griffin (left) and Theresa Barker (right), both of whom are also Hall of Fame R.A.D. Systems instructors.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre congratulated reservist Lucie Morvant on her recent induction into the R.A.D. Systems International Hall of Fame. She was honored at the 22nd Annual R.A.D. Systems International Training and Certification Conference held in Norfolk, Virginia in July.

“Lucie has been an outstanding member of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office throughout her career,” said Sheriff Webre. “As a lifelong public servant, she is an example to all of us. I congratulate her on this extraordinary and well-deserved honor.”

Morvant has been a R.A.D. instructor for 25 years, and she has over 40 years of experience with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. After retiring from full-time duty in 2009, she became a reservist where she continued to volunteer her time in serving the community as a R.A.D. instructor. Morvant has also served as the state director for the R.A.D. program since 2002.

“R.A.D.” stands for “Rape Aggression Defense.” The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office hosts R.A.D. classes open to the public periodically throughout the year, as well as classes for private businesses. The course is suitable for women of all ages and abilities. It provides women with basic awareness and prevention skills, as well as self-defense, in the event of an attack. For more information on R.A.D. Systems, please visit www.rad-systems.com.

One Dead, One Critically Injured in Shooting Incident in Thibodaux

UPDATE: the deceased victim has been identified as 19-year-old Saharold Holmes of Thibodaux.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are investigating an overnight shooting that left one person dead and another critically injured. The shooting occurred in the area of Abby Subdivision in Thibodaux.

Just after 2:15 a.m. on Sunday, August 18, 2019, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office began receiving reports of gunshots in Abby Subdivision in Thibodaux. Deputies responded and found a car in the 400 block of Abby Road which had been damaged by multiple gunshot rounds. Deputies began to search the nearby area and discovered a man lying in a field with at least one gunshot wound. He was later pronounced dead. Meanwhile, deputies made contact with a second man nearby who had gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital for treatment, and he is currently in critical condition.

LPSO detectives, Louisiana State Police, and Thibodaux Police responded to the scene to assist. Through investigation, detectives learned two other men were in the car, and those individuals are currently being questioned in reference to the incident.

The investigation is continuing. Detectives do not believe this was a random act of violence. At least one nearby home was struck by stray rounds, but no injuries were reported at the residence. Detectives are encouraging residents in the immediate and surrounding areas to check their homes for possible damage from stray rounds. Residents are asked to report such findings to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office by calling (985) 532-2808.

Detectives are asking for the public’s help on this case. Anyone with any other 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 using the P3 Tips app on your mobile device. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 in cash if the information leads to an arrest.

More information will be released on this incident as it can be made available.

Free Hunter Education Field Day Slated for August 28

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a FREE Hunter Education Field Day on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 for anyone age 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 Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.