Sheriff Office Drug Arrests September 28, 2021 Four more subjects were arrested by agents with Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department Narcotics unit, according to Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory. On Monday, the narcotics unit stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. When the agent came into contact with the driver, he noticed she was trying to conceal something. The agent then conducted a search of the vehicle and located narcotics. The subject was identified as Paige Nicole Prudhomme, age 28 of St. Landry. She was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cited for a traffic violation. Earlier in the month, on September 15, the narcotics unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Parkview Street. Agents located illegal narcotics. The following person was charged: Tyra Monae Smith of Ville Platte charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of hydrocodone, possession of Alprazam, possession of codeine, possession of drug paraphernalia and cited for obstruction of traffic. On Sept. 18, the narcotics unit stopped a vehicle for speeding. Upon coming into contact with the driver, the agents detected an overwhelming smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle. After a search, the following person was arrested: Jermaine Sidney Cato, Jr. age 20 of Columbus, Ohio. He was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in the presence of controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. On September 24, the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department Narcotics Unit was conducting an investigation of illegal narcotics possession on a school campus. When the suspect's vehicle arrived to drop of their child, agents noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Agents conducted a search and the following person was arrested: Helena Rashida Zina Thomas age 29 of Chataignier. She was charged with illegal use of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor, possession of controlled dangerous substance in a drug free zone and was cited for possession of marijuana.

Drug Arrests September 27, 2021 The Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department has remained busy battling drug trafficking and arresting drug offenders, according to Sheriff Charles Guillory. On Wednesday September 22, the sheriff's department narcotics unit conducted a search warrant at a residence at 121 East Beauregard in Ville Platte. The warrant stemmed from numerous complaints and surveillance in the area. Agents took the two suspects into custody without incident. Arrested were : James Todd Wall age 36 of Ville Platte charged with possession of with intent to distribute Methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute synthetic marijuana, possession of a firearm in the presence of controlled dangerous substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of drug paraphernalia. Also arrested was Crystal Narcisse age 30 of Ville Platte charged with possession with intent to distribute synthetic marijuana, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in the presence of controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Also last Wednesday, the narcotics unit stopped a vehicle in the Tom Drive area. When agents made contact with the occupants, they discovered illegal narcotics and a firearm. Arrested were: Davis Arclis Richard age 66 of Ville Platte charged with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm in the presence of controlled dangerous substance and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and Jackie Duncan age 55 of Round Rock, Texas age 55 charged with possession of cocaine and possession of a firearm in the presence of controlled dangerous substance. Last Friday Sept. 24, the sheriff's department narcotics unit received a call concerning a strange package that was delivered to a residence in the Chataignier area. When agents arrived, they found the package had been mailed from Texas to Chataignier. The agents opened the package and found a total of 22 pounds of marijuana. Agents retrieved video footage from the home and have an active investigation going on at this time. On Wednesday Sept. 15, the sheriff's department narcotics unit conducted a search warrant on a residence at 723 South Dupre Street Apartment 85 in Ville Platte. Once inside, agents discovered a large amount of illegal narcotics. This led to the following arrest: Gerald Lee Germaine Tezeno ,age 30 of Ville Platte charged with the following: possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute Xanax, possession of hydrocodone and possession of promethazine. Also on Wednesday Sept. 15, the narcotics unit conducted a traffic stop on a car obstructing traffic on North Thompson street in Ville Platte. When agents made contact with the driver, narcotics were seen in plain view.. Upon completion of a search, the following actions took place: Akeem Mendez Williams age 32 of Mamou was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of hydrocodone and possession of promethazine, Brashley Wilson and Marquita Hawkins were cited for possession of marijuana and were released. As always, Sheriff Guillory and his department are always seeking information on criminal activity and urges the public to call the investigations unit at 337-363-2161.

Turkey Creek Police Arrests September 14, 2021 The Turkey Creek Police Department has remained busy in the past month conducting several traffic stops confiscating narcotics and ensuring the safety of local and area residents, according to Police Chief Steven Ardoin. On August 9, the Turkey Creek Police conducted a traffic stop on a minor traffic violation. After a brief road side interview, police learned that Mrs. Ashley Naquin of Turkey Creek and her passenger, Haley Hudson of Turkey Creek had outstanding warrants for their arrest. Officers requested permission to search the vehicle and the consent was denied. Police deployed their certified dual purpose patrol K9 to conduct an open air sniff of the vehicle. There was a positive alert from the K9. After a search, marijuana was located. Naquin was cited for simple possession of marijuana. Both subjects were transported to the Evangeline Parish Jail for their outstanding charges. On August 23, Turkey Creek Police conducted a traffic stop for a minor violation. After a search of the vehicle, marijuana was located the driver, Mrs. Shaquila Thomas of Port Barre was cited for simple possession of marijuana. On August 31, police conducted traffic control on cemetery road. After a brief roadside interview, their K9 Ice was deployed and he alerted on the vehicle. Narcotics were located, Joshua Aucoin of Mamou had a warrant for his arrest later that day. On Monday Sept. 6, officers with the Turkey Creek Police Department stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After making contact with the driver, Elan Radar of Tyler, Texas. Police discovered the driver had full extradition felony warrants out of Texas for major offenses. His passenger, John Dugan also of Tyler, Texas was just released from prison and is a known gang member. The K9 Ice was deployed and police got a positive alert. Police located Crystal Meth, Heroin and drug paraphernalia. Dugan also had narcotics hidden on his person. Both subjects were transported to the Evangeline Parish Jail for booking. Last Saturday, Sept. 11, officers made a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Rusty Gautreaux of Ville Platte. Police learned that the driver had outstanding warrants for his arrest on narcotics charges. After a search, narcotics were located in the vehicle. Gautreaux was placed under arrest for the outstanding warrants and cited for the narcotics located inside the vehicle. Turkey Creek Police would like to than everyone involved with assisting in keeping narcotics off our streets and out of our homes. They would like to the community for their continued trust in the department and their pledge is to continue to keep the community safe.

Ville Platte Rotary Club Meeting September 14, 2021 The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from Candace Aguillard who works in the Cardiac Cath Lab at Mercy Regional Medical Center. She informed club members that patients can now be treated for heart related illnesses with two new physicians: Dr. Patrick Savoy, a general/vascular surgeon and cardiologist Dr. Raghotham Patlola. The cath lab offers angiographs, stents, echocardiograms, EKG, Stress Test and pacemaker and defibrillator services. The speaker was the guest of Rotarian Renee Brown.

Drug Arrests September 8, 2021 Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory reported to KVPI News the following drug arrests: Last Friday, the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department Narcotics Unit entered a residence at 614 Huey Long Street in Ville Platte discovered narcotics and US currency. This led to the following arrest: Dustin Raushuan Johnson age 29 of Ville Platte charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute PCP and Possession with intent to distribute Marijuana. Also on Friday, sheriff's deputies conducted a driver impairment check point on US 167 east of Ville Platte. While they were conducting a check point, deputies located narcotics in several vehicles. This led to the following actions: Byron Lee Abbs age 23 of Pitkin charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana; In a separate stop, the following were arrested Jamail Anthony Ledet Jr. age 25 of Missouri City, Texas cited for possession of marijuana; Anthony Kervin Troy age 25 of New Iberia charged with possession of a stolen firearm and cited for possession of marijuana; Stephen Earl Cook age 42 of Opelousas charged with possession of Cocaine and cited for possession of marijuana. As always, Sheriff Guillory and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department is always seeking information on criminal activity and urges the public to contact their investigations Department at 337-363-2161.

19-Year-Old Oakdale Man Dies in Fiery Crash in Evangeline Parish Evangeline Parish – On September 7, 2021, shortly before 8:00 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop I responded to a two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 106 east of Paradise Lane in Evangeline Parish. The crash claimed the life of 19-year-old Luke A. Fontenot of Oakdale. The preliminary investigation revealed Fontenot was driving east on LA 106 in a 2013 Nissan Rogue. At the same time, a 2006 International 18-wheeler, pulling a logging trailer, was backing into a worksite on the north side of LA 106. Fontenot's Nissan struck the side of the International on the passenger side diesel tank in the eastbound travel lane causing both vehicles to become engulfed in flames. Troopers were unable to immediately determine seat belt usage on the part of either driver due to the severity of damage. Fontenot was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the 18-wheeler suffered only minor injuries and refused medical treatment. He also showed no signs of impairment and submitted a breath sample indicating no alcohol present. This crash remains under investigation. Louisiana State Troopers would like to take this opportunity to remind motorists to always make good decisions while operating motor vehicles. Never drive while impaired, fatigued, or distracted, always ensure every occupant is properly restrained, and follow all traffic laws. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions such as these can often mean the difference between life and death. Troop I has investigated 39 fatal crashes resulting in 48 deaths in 2021.