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Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet announced the arrest of a Houma couple on multiple narcotics related charges, in connection with a joint investigation completed by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division, Houma Police Department, Louisiana State Police CID Region 2, and Homeland Security Investigations. Kjuan Damar Howard Sr, 34, and Kayla Sharae Thomas, 31, were arrested in connection with the investigation.
In the later months of 2023, the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division began to receive information related to illegal drug practices of Kjuan Howard. As Agents began an investigation into the allegations, they discovered evidence to confirm Howard’s involvement in the distribution of illegal narcotics. The discovery of the evidence led to Agents obtaining a search warrant for a residence linked to Howard in the 500 block of Jefferson Davis Street, which he shared with a significant other and two young children.
On November 29th, shortly before 8:00 am, Agents arrived at the residence to enforce the search warrant, where they took Howard into custody as he was attempting to leave the residence. Agents learned that no additional occupants were present in the home at the time of their arrival. Agents completed a search of the home, where they located close to 1400 grams of Heroin, numerous items of drug related paraphernalia consistent with the distribution and creation of illegal street level narcotics, along with over 100 grams of an unknown white powdery substance believed to be fentanyl or another substance suspected to be used as a “cutting agent”. The search of the home also revealed handwritten documents consistent with the illegal drug trade and over $15,000.00 in cash. Agents also discovered Howard to be in possession of close to $1,400.00 in cash on his person, at the time of his arrest.
During the search, Agents discovered evidence to confirm that the residence is the home of Kayla Sharae Thomas and 2 minor children under the age of 11 years old. Agents also discovered that the illegal narcotics found within the home were located in commonly accessible places to the other occupants, including the minor children.
When Howard was searched by Corrections Staff, he was found to be in possession of an additional amount of suspected Heroin, located on his person. Agents arrested Kjuan Damar Howard Sr. for charges of Possession with the Intent to Distribute Heroin, Distribution of a CDS I (2 counts), Illegal Use of a CDS in the presence of persons under the age of 17, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses (3 counts) and Taking contraband to/from a Penal Institution. Howard was jailed at the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex, where he remains on a $656,500.00 total bond by local judges.
Agents also arrested Kayla Sharae Thomas, who turned herself into Authorities later that day. Thomas was arrested on charges of Possession with the Intent to Distribute Heroin, Illegal Use of a CDS in the presence of persons under the age of 17, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses. Thomas was jailed at the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex and was later released on a $30,600.00 bond by local judges.
Sheriff Soignet would like to personally thank each of the agencies that assisted with this joint investigation. Sheriff Soignet said, “I’m extremely proud of the Agents of our Narcotics Division, along with the outstanding work of our Public Safety partners. I personally feel that this tremendous group of men and women are some of the best this country has to offer, and we are very lucky to have them protecting our streets day in and day out.”
Sheriff Tim Soignet would like to remind residents that suspicious behavior and drug related activity information can always be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region at 1-800-743-7433, online at CrimeStoppersBR.org, or via the Bayou Tips app on mobile devices. Tipsters could be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
ALL ARRESTED PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
