Relatives say Houma shooting was in self-defense
July 9, 2014
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July 9, 2014Checkpoint set for Lafourche
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre has announced another checkpoint in Lafourche, which will take place on July 9 at a random parish location.
On this day, deputies will check motorists for seat belt and safety seat violations, expired inspection tags, expired and suspended driver’s licenses and other violations.
The checkpoint is part of LPSO’s year-long campaign to raise awareness for these types of violations and to make the parish’s roadways safer.
The last checkpoint took place on July 2 along the northbound lane of La. Highway 1 in Mathews.
After inspecting 292 vehicles, three seat belt violations and one expired motor inspection sticker were the only reported violations issued by deputies.
Sheriff announces promotions and staffing changes
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced several staffing changes this week – personnel moves that became effective July 1.
The sheriff announced that Jeremy Granier and Roy Gros have been promoted to Major. Granier was previously Commander of the Training Division. He replaces Todd Diaz as head of LPSO’s Criminal Department after Diaz was promoted to Chief Deputy earlier this month.
With Gros’ appointment, he will move from the post of Judicial Services Division Commander to become the Civil Department head.
Former Patrol Commander, Captain J.P. deGravelles, will replace Gros in the Judicial Services Division and Captain Chad Shelby will move to patrol from the Investigations Division.
“While growing up in Lafourche Parish, I always wanted to serve my community,” said Major Gros, who spent 24 years with LPSO. “After graduating high school, I joined the U.S. Army and afterwards, started working in law enforcement with the LPSO, which has allowed me to proudly serve and protect the great citizens of Lafourche.”
Like Gros, Major Granier has a lot of experience with LPSO, having served for more than 12 years. He, too, shared pride in his promotion.
“I left for the Navy right out of high school so I could see the world,” he said. “My experiences in the Navy helped me to mature. Upon leaving the Navy, I wanted to return home and find a job that would allow me to serve my community as I had served my country.”
In addition to the above-listed promotions, Webre announced that two Lieutenants had been promoted to Captain.
Josh Champagne, who serves as Commander of the Lafourche Parish Interagency Crisis Management Unit, will now head LPSO’s Training Division.
Todd Charlet has also been promoted from Deputy Commander to Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division.
“I am deeply grateful for the men and women who work here and especially their willingness and desire to serve in whichever capacity best serve the needs of the agency as well as the public,” Webre said.
Thibodaux woman arrested, charged with cruelty to animals
A Thibodaux woman is in custody of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office after deputies found several dogs in her residence living in unfavorable conditions.
LPSO authorities said they were called to 220 Leighton Drive on July 3 after learning that several dogs were inside, living in deplorable conditions.
Upon arrival, authorities made contact with Danielle Morgan, 30, of 220 Leighton Drive, Thibodaux, and noted a strong odor of animal urine and feces inside the home.
Morgan allowed deputies to enter, and upon arrival, they observed a large amount of animal droppings on the floor.
According to LPSO spokesman deputy Brennan Matherne, authorities located several dogs and cats inside the residence – animals that appeared to be in poor health, according to LPSO.
Some of the animals were in kennels and others roamed freely in the residence. Authorities also observed Morgan’s 3-year-old daughter walked around the home barefoot, stepping in feces.
The young child also had scratches on her, marks authorities believe were made by one of the animals.
Because of the condition of the residence, juvenile detectives and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services also responded to the scene, and a member of Morgan’s family agreed to take custody of the child.
The animals at the residence were taken to the Lafourche Parish Animal Shelter and appeared to be in poor health.
Following the completion of the investigation, Morgan was placed under arrest and charged with 14 counts of cruelty to animals and one count of cruelty to juveniles. She was booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center and released Friday evening after posting a $3,400 bond.
Body of teenage male found in Bayou Lafourche
A 16-year-old Galliano boy is dead after drowning in Bayou Lafourche next to East 180th Street.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office authorities said they were called to an area near East 180th Street in Galliano on Wednesday in reference to a drowning.
Once on the scene, deputies learned that two teenage boys had allegedly been swimming in the Bayou when one of them began having trouble swimming and went underwater.
Deputies called in additional resources to assist, including volunteer firefighters from Lafourche Parish Fire District No. 3.
The firefighters, assisted by civilians in the area, recovered the body of Davon Thomason, 16, of Galliano, and pronounced him dead on the scene.
Officers from the Golden Meadow Police Department and the Port Fourchon Harbor Police also responded to the scene.
Mother arrested after child left in car
A 27-year-old Larose mother is in hot water legally after allegedly leaving her child in the hot air.
At noon on June 30, Houma Police officers were called to Rouses on Grand Caillou Road in reference to a child being locked inside a vehicle.
Once on the scene, officers observed the vehicle was not running and a 21-month-old baby was inside.
The mother of the child, Cara Dubois, 27, of Chesterlee St., Larose, walked outside the store shortly upon arrival of officers. She unlocked the door and the child was observed to be in good health.
Dubois told Houma Police officers that she walked into the store to pay a bill and bought some cigarettes, but left the child inside the locked running vehicle.
She was arrested without incident and charged with child desertion. She was taken to the parish jail where she awaits trial or bond.
HPD said it learned later that the mother’s car was programmed to stop automatically after 10 minutes of running.
