Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct dual seat belt and DWI checkpoints on Friday, June 21, 2019, in Lafourche Parish. These checkpoints are designed to help raise awareness for these types of violations and make the highways of the parish safer for all motorists.
Two seat belt checkpoints will be conducted Friday evening in Lafourche Parish, and deputies will focus on checking motorists for seat belt and child safety seat violations. Two DWI checkpoints will begin Friday evening following the seat belt checkpoints and will continue into the early morning hours of Saturday, Saturday, June 22. During the DWI checkpoints, deputies will be looking for drivers who are possibly impaired while checking for other traffic safety issues.
Sheriff Webre reminds citizens to designate a driver if you are going to drink. Motorists suspected of DWI who refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test will lose their driver’s license for one year (first offense). For a second offense, the penalty increases to two years. Anyone convicted of a DWI offense while their driver’s license is suspended because of another DWI offense will face automatic prison time. Lafourche Parish is also a “No Refusal” parish, meaning if a suspected drunk driver refuses a breathalyzer test, deputies will seek a search warrant to have that person’s blood tested.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Criminal Investigations Division supervisor has graduated from the fourth session of the National Command and Staff College. Lieutenant Benjamin Dempster was among 31 law enforcement commanders who completed the course. A graduation ceremony was held at the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in Luling, Louisiana, on June 14, 2019.
The International Academy of Public Safety, Inc. founded the course in collaboration with the National Sheriffs’ Association and the National Tactical Officers Association. The comprehensive 8-week course blends command and leadership programs. The program entails dozens of comprehensive modules that focus on leadership theories and practices, futures and foresight, social media, recruitment, issues in policing, intelligence-based policing, restorative policing, ethics, diversity and inclusion, and leadership in organizations by armed forces.
College President Anthony Normore, Ph.D., said students read seven books and as a class produced over 10,075 hours of blended online and classroom contact hours (325 hours each). Each student wrote 48 essays, participated in 48 discussion boards, completed six case studies, and produced six group capstone research reports.
Sheriff Webre stated: “Lieutenant Benjamin Dempster has a clear passion for serving the public. He put himself through a grueling eight-week process of classes, studies, and lectures in addition to his normal duties. He has shown a clear dedication to becoming a better, more informed leader for our organization and this community. I congratulate him on this outstanding accomplishment.”
Major Roy Gros, Criminal Department Head, and Captain Cortrell Davis, warden of the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, were part of the first-ever session of the National Command and Staff College in 2018.
The National Command & Staff College was founded in 2010 in a deliberate effort to develop MAGNUS Leaders through modern learning experiences that promote community safety, build mutual trust, maximize officer safety and wellness, foster star performance, and reduce liability and risks. As the leading center of excellence in professional development, the college engages in the design and delivery of meaningful curriculum and learning experiences intended to benefit law enforcement officers and correctional deputies to effectively lead their agencies.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a woman for stealing a large sum of money from her employer. Stephanie LaJaunie, 29, of Galliano, is charged with Felony Theft in the case.
On June 6, 2019, the owners of a local company based in Lafourche Parish filed a complaint with the Sheriff’s Office after discovering unauthorized charges to the company’s accounts. It was suspected that LaJaunie, an employee of the company, had set up automatic payments through the company’s accounts for her residence, utilities, and credit cards, as well as multiple car payments. Through investigation, detectives determined LaJaunie had allegedly stolen a large sum of money from the company over a span of several months.
On Monday, June 17, detectives made contact with LaJaunie. She was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on the charge of Felony Theft. She was released Monday night after posting $2,500 bail.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a fugitive found with narcotics during the traffic stop. Jared Brown, 32, of Houma faces drug charges in Lafourche Parish and is also being held for authorities in Terrebonne Parish.
At around 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, K-9 deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling south on LA Highway 316 in Bayou Blue. Deputies made contact with the driver and passenger. The passenger initially gave deputies a false name but was later identified as Brown and found to have active warrants in Terrebonne Parish. He was then taken into custody.
During the stop, deputies detected the odor of suspected marijuana inside the vehicle. One of the K-9 units alerted to the possible presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. Deputies then located a bag inside the vehicle containing suspected narcotics. In all, deputies seized over 35 grams of methamphetamine, nearly 30 grams of marijuana, and 0.7 grams of heroin. They also located several small plastic bags, a digital scale, syringes, and other drug paraphernalia. All of the narcotics and paraphernalia were determined to belong to Brown.
Brown was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, Marijuana, and Methamphetamine, as well as Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (3rd Offense). Bail is set at $87,000.
Brown is also booked as a fugitive of Terrebonne Parish with active warrants for Felony Theft, Felony Criminal Damage to Property, traffic violations, and contempt of court for failing to appear in court for several other charges.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct seat belt checkpoints in Lafourche Parish during the daytime hours of June 20, 2019, and June 26, 2019. During these checkpoints, 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.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Cut Off businessman facing multiple charges in an ongoing investigation is now charged with selling fake bonds. Kristian “Kris” Gaudet, 45, now faces a total of 11 counts of felony theft, as well as charges of monetary instrument abuse, money laundering, racketeering, and exploitation of the infirmed. This investigation is continuing in coordination with the FBI, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Office, and the Fraud Division of the Louisiana Department of Insurance.
On May 30, 2019, a woman came forward with concerns about her investments after learning of Gaudet’s charges. She had purchased bonds totaling $80,000. Upon contacting the holding company, the resident learned the bonds she purchased were fake. Following an investigation into the matter, detectives obtained warrants for additional charges for Gaudet for Felony Theft and Monetary Instrument Abuse.
As previously released, the investigation into Gaudet began in late 2018 when a couple became suspicious of investments made with Gaudet, owner of Kris Gaudet Insurance and Financial Services. Detectives found Gaudet provided false information on an investment company which he also owned. Detectives discovered Gaudet deposited the couple’s $350,000 investment into the company account and then transferred most of it to another of his accounts. Gaudet was initially arrested in January 2019. After his arrest, eight additional victims came forward, and detectives found evidence of money laundering and racketeering. Additional charges were filed in February and March 2019.
Gaudet was booked on the new charges on June 13, 2019. In all, he is charged with 11 counts of Felony Theft, four counts of Exploitation of the Infirmed, and one count each of Racketeering, Money Laundering, and Monetary Instrument Abuse. His current bail amount is now at $433,750.
Once again, detectives are asking anyone who has made an investment with Gaudet and his company since 2012 to please come forward if your investment has not been fully returned. Anyone with insurance policies obtained through Gaudet and his company is also asked to contact their primary insurer listed on documents to ensure your account is in good standing. Anyone with any discrepancies is asked to contact the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (985) 532-4320.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a call for a domestic disturbance led to a man being found with a variety of narcotics. Deadren Rhodes, 40, of Raceland faces several drug-related charges following the incident.
Just before 9 a.m. on June 7, 2019, deputies responded to a reported domestic disturbance occurring in the front yard of a residence on West 21st Street in Larose. Deputies arrived to find a man, later identified as Rhodes, arguing with a woman. Deputies approached the man and conducted a pat-down for officer safety. In doing so, deputies discovered Rhodes had a bag containing several smaller plastic bags with various narcotics. Inside the bag, deputies discovered the following amounts of suspected narcotics: 32.7 grams of methamphetamine, 15.7 grams of cocaine, 6.2 grams of MDMA, 5.7 grams of crack cocaine, 1.7 grams of Viagra, and two digital scales. Upon investigating the domestic disturbance, deputies found a verbal altercation had taken place, but it had not turned physical at any point.
Rhodes was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was booked with Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, Methamphetamine, and MDMA, as well as Possession of a Legend Drug and Drug Paraphernalia. Bail is set at $40,750.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is urging parents to be cautious with children around swimming pools and open bodies of water. Drowning is the leading cause of death from injury in children ages 1-4. Three children die every day as a result of drowning.
“Now that school is out, many kids will be looking to spend time in the pool,” said Sheriff Webre. “I implore parents not to use the pool itself as a ‘babysitter’ for any child. Children should always be properly supervised when in or around pools or any body of water.”
According to the Center for Disease Control, children ages 1-4 are at the highest risk of drowning in a pool at a home. Drowning can happen quickly and quietly and can even occur in the presence of lifeguards. Most fatal drownings, however, happen where there is poor or absent adult supervision. Sheriff Webre recommends the following:
Never leave your child unattended outdoors, especially if there is a pool or body of water at your home or nearby.
Enroll your child in swimming lessons as young as possible.
Drain all water from kiddie pools and turn upside-down went not in use.
For those with pools at their home, Sheriff Webre recommends the following:
Enclose pools with a fence at least four feet tall with a self-closing gate.
Remove floats, balls, and other toys from the pool and surrounding area when not in use so that children are not tempted to enter the pool area.
Restrict access to items such as ladders, buckets, and chairs that are easily accessible to children to climb on and enter a pool, and consider installing a safety cover for the pool.
When kids are swimming, be sure to designate a “water watcher” even if a lifeguard is on duty. This individual should be an adult with the skills, knowledge, and ability (such as CPR) to rescue someone in distress or be able to notify someone nearby who can. The water watcher should have a working phone to be able to call 9-1-1 in an emergency but should NOT be distracted by the phone. This person should NEVER be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“Unfortunately, our parish is no stranger to this sort of tragedy,” said Sheriff Webre. “There is seemingly nothing more devastating to a parent or a community than the death of a child. By taking these steps, you can do your best to prevent such a tragedy.”
On June 30, 2018, Riley John Bourgeois slipped away from his parents’ watch and was found in a neighbor’s swimming pool. CPR was administered by bystanders, and first responders took over upon their arrival. Riley was then airlifted to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans where he remained in for two days before his death on July 2, just a few days shy of his second birthday (July 8).
Darby Bourgeois, Riley’s father, said, “As I saw my son’s lifeless body lying there, I was praying to God, and I thought to myself that I don’t want another person to have to go through this agony.”
To that end, Bourgeois and his family launched the Blue Boot Rodeo in 2019. The event is slated for July 12-13, 2019 at Sand Dollar Marina in Grand Isle. The proceeds from the rodeo will go towards the education of elementary students and parents on drowning prevention and water safety awareness, as well as scholarships to local high school seniors. The rodeo is geared toward driving awareness to childhood drowning and celebration of the life of Riley John Bourgeois who loved wearing blue boots! For more information, go to www.BlueBootRodeo.com.
For more tips on childhood drowning prevention, go to WaterSafetyUSA.org.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of a man wanted for a burglary at a Raceland market.
On the morning of June 5, 2019, deputies responded to a reported burglary at the Cajun Fresh Market located at 938 Highway 90 East in Raceland. It is estimated the burglary took place between 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4 and 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5. The unidentified white male took several food items in the burglary.
Anyone who can identify this man 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.
Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct seat belt checkpoints in Lafourche Parish during the daytime hours of June 6, 2019, and June 12, 2019. During these checkpoints, 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.
