Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

Investigation Continues into Larose Man Arrested for Sex Crimes

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced an investigation is continuing into a man arrested for sex crimes earlier this month. Benjamin Holbert, 30, of Larose was arrested on April 8 after a juvenile victim came forward. Detectives are now asking the public to assist with the ongoing investigation.

In March 2019, juvenile detectives began investigating a report that Holbert had inappropriately touched a juvenile under the age of 12. Through the course of the investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On April 8, 2019, detectives made contact with Holbert, and he was arrested. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on charges of Sexual Battery (Forcible Fondling) and Indecent Behavior with Juveniles. He was released the following day after posting $10,000 bail.

Due to the nature of the crime 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.

Anyone in the public with any general information on Holbert or any possible victims 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.

Man Arrested After Threatening a Woman at Gunpoint at a Raceland Residence

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a man was arrested for threatening a woman at gunpoint on Friday, April 19. Keith Arcement, 36, faces additional charges due to being prohibited from possessing firearms.

At around 1:15 p.m. on April 19, 2019, deputies received a call that Arcement was pointing a gun at a woman at a residence on Danos Street in Raceland. Deputies learned Arcement was asking the woman for the location of a gun and other items, and he reportedly threatened to kill her. When deputies arrived, they found Arcement hiding in a closet, and he was taken into custody. Deputies found six firearms in Arcement’s possession at the residence, one of which was found to have been reported stolen. Deputies found Arcement was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction, as well as an existing protective order due to a previous domestic violence incident.

Arcement was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was charged with Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and six counts of Violation of a Protective Order. His bail is set at $80,000.

Buckle Up in Your Truck: Checkpoint Planned for April 23

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will conduct a seat belt checkpoint in Lafourche Parish during the daylight hours of April 23, 2019. This checkpoint is being conducted as part of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission’s “Buckle Up In Your Truck” campaign which began April 21 and continues through April 28.

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.

According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, state observation surveys and fatality data show that pickup truck drivers and passengers fall well behind occupants of other kinds of passenger vehicles when it comes to wearing seat belts. The “Buckle Up In Your Truck” campaign involves high-visibility enforcement and awareness to encourage seat belt usage and reduce unrestrained fatalities among our pick-up truck drivers and passengers. Taking the time to buckle up before every trip is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash.

LPSO Administrative Offices to Close at Noon on Thursday

Due to pending severe weather, Sheriff Craig Webre has announced Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office administrative offices will close at noon on Thursday, April 18. The offices will remain closed in observance of Good Friday on April 19, 2019. Offices will re-open for normal operating hours on Monday, April 22.

“Our deputies are ready to respond to any situation that arises during this severe weather event,” said Sheriff Webre. “Stay vigilant and heed all emergency warnings.”

Follow Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office (@LafourcheSO) on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on the latest information.

UPDATE: Elderly Man Charged with Attempted Murder of Neighbor in Tuesday Shooting

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced an elderly man has been charged with attempted murder after shooting his neighbor on Tuesday night. Thomas Kennedy, 70, of Gray, admitted to the shooting. The victim, a 34-year-old man, is expected to recover.

Just before 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, deputies received a call of a shooting in the 200 block of Cypress Court in Gray. Deputies learned Thomas Kennedy had walked to a neighboring residence and confronted a man sitting in his vehicle. After a brief argument with the man over the volume of his music, Kennedy brandished a revolver and shot the man in the face. The victim was airlifted to University Medical Center in New Orleans where he remains in critical but stable condition. The victim is expected to recover.

Kennedy had called 911 following the shooting to turn himself over to authorities. Within minutes of the shooting, deputies had arrived in the area and took Kennedy into custody. Kennedy admitted the victim made no attempt to harm him.

Kennedy was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. He was charged with Attempted Second Degree Murder. His bail is set at $1 million.

Detectives Investigating Shooting in Gray

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are investigating a shooting which occurred on Tuesday night, April 16 on Cypress Court in Gray. The male victim has been transported to a hospital for treatment, and he is in critical condition. Detectives also have one male suspect in custody who admitted to the shooting. More information will be provided as the investigation continues.

Sheriff Webre Reminds Residents to Keep Unattended Vehicles Locked

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is reminding vehicle owners to always lock unattended vehicles, especially overnight. Valuable items, including handguns, should also be removed and stored safely inside your home.

“Nearly every vehicle burglary over the past few years has occurred due to vehicles being left unlocked,” said Sheriff Webre. “Criminals are looking for easy targets and often attempt to burglarize many vehicles in one outing. It is extremely rare for a burglar to break a window or pry a door open to enter a vehicle unless they can clearly see something of value inside. By removing valuables and locking your vehicle, you dramatically decrease the chances your vehicle will be burglarized or stolen.”

To ensure your vehicle is fully secure, double check doors to ensure automatic locks are working correctly. Ensure all windows are fully rolled up. Never leave a car unattended while the engine is running. Additionally, consider installing exterior lighting and surveillance cameras on your property, including where you park your vehicle. Lights will act as a deterrent, but cameras can help identify suspects if anything is stolen.

“Be smart about crime prevention,” said Sheriff Webre. “While there is no way to guarantee you will not be a victim of a crime, following these simple routines will greatly reduce your risk of being victimized.”

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will continue to promote the “9 p.m. Routine” through its official social media outlets. This national awareness campaign began at the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office in Florida in 2016. The “9 p.m. routine” encourages citizens to remove valuables from their vehicles, lock their vehicles, and lock their home each night at or before 9 p.m. each night before going to bed.

Man Charged with Attempted Insurance Fraud after Driving Truck into Canal

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a Galliano man has been charged with attempted insurance fraud. Joey Delaune was arrested after admitting to his involvement in the crime.

On April 13, 2019, deputies responded to a complaint of a pickup truck being partially submerged in a canal behind West 151st Street in Galliano. At the time, the area was only accessible by off-road vehicle, and deputies conducted an initial investigation. Due to the location of the vehicle, it could not immediately be removed from the canal.

On Monday, April 15, deputies responded back to the location due to a man reportedly removing items from the truck. Deputies arrived and discovered Joey Delaune at the scene. He identified himself as the owner of the truck, and he told deputies the truck was in the process of getting repossessed due to him being unable to make payments. He admitted to driving the truck into the canal in an attempt to defraud the insurance company. He told deputies he had returned to the truck to retrieve some personal property he had left inside.

Delaune was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. He was charged with Attempted Insurance Fraud. He was released on Monday evening after posting $20,000 bail.

Rape Aggression Defense Course Slated for Thibodaux in May

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course on May 13, 14, and 15, 2019, at the LPSO Law Enforcement Complex, located at 1300 Lynn Street in Thibodaux.

This self-defense course is designed exclusively for women and will take place over the course of all three days. The class will begin at 6 p.m. and end around 9 p.m. each day. Participants must attend all three days. Course instruction will be provided by certified R.A.D. instructors from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The cost of the course is $10 to cover the cost of course materials. Class size is limited, and advance registration is required. You can register online here: www.LPSO.net/RADsignup. Payment cannot be made through the online sign-up form, but the fee must be pre-paid and is non-refundable. Please send payment by mail, along with your name, address, and phone number to Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, Attn: Captain Lafate Day, 1300 Lynn Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301. Please make checks payable to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. The deadline to register for the class is Friday, May 10, 2019, at 11 a.m.

For more information, please contact Captain Lafate Day at (985) 449-4485 or by email at lafate-day@lpso.net.

Deputies Use Naloxone to Save Life of a Thibodaux Man on Thursday

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported deputies used naloxone to save the life of a Thibodaux man who is believed to have suffered an opioid overdose on Thursday morning.

At around 11:20 a.m. on April 11, 2019, a father arrived home and found his 30-year-old son unconscious outside his home. The man had shallow breathing and a syringe was found lying on the ground next to him. Upon arrival and recognizing a possible opioid overdose, deputies administered naloxone to the man who began to show minimal signs of improvement. After a short time, deputies administered a second dose of naloxone, and the man began to recover. He was transported to a local hospital for further treatment.

Naloxone HCl, which is sold under brand names such as Narcan and Evzio, is used as a temporary antidote to treat an opioid overdose. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office initially obtained naloxone injectors at no cost to the agency in November 2017 from the Louisiana Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. The LPSO has since acquired naloxone nasal spray applicators through a grant South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority. Many deputies carry the agency-issued naloxone applicators after undergoing proper training for use.