Crime Blotter: Reported offenses in the Tri-parishes

Jury delivers guilty verdict in domestic violence case

A Terrebonne jury found a Houma man, who kicked in the door of the home where his three children and ex-girlfriend lived and threatened to kill the woman, guilty, the Terrebonne District Attorney Office reported.

Michael Lee McPherson, 44, of 120 St. Louis St., was convicted last week of aggravated burglary, officials said. Assistant District Attorneys Jason Dagate and Jason Lyons prosecuted the case in a Houma courtroom.

McPherson will be sentenced at a later date before Judge David Arceneaux. Prosecutors intend to institute habitual offender proceedings against the Houma man, which could result in a minimum sentence of 30 years and a maximum life sentence.

The domestic violence charge stems from an incident in the early hours of Aug. 18, 2012. McPherson called his ex-girlfriend of 20 years, who is also the father of his 18-, 13- and 8-year-old children – all of whom were in the house – and told her, “Tonight is your night. I’m coming to kill you.”

McPherson broke the glass on the front door at approximately 3:40 a.m., according to court testimony. The woman, fearing for her life, ran out the back door to a neighbor’s house.

Prosecutors said the couple’s 18-year-old daughter called 911 and hid the telephone under a pillow. McPherson could be heard screaming, “Where is she? I’m going to kill her,” at the children.

According to court testimony, he grabbed a knife from the kitchen and held it against his oldest daughter’s neck, demanding she tell him where her mother was.

Jurors heard the 911 recording at the trial. McPherson’s children could be heard in the background of the recording frantically pleading to their father that they didn’t know where their mother had gone.

McPherson left out the back door before police arrived on the scene. Four days later, he was arrested out of the parish. When questioned by Terrebonne sheriff’s deputy Jobbie Miller, McPherson said he “was going to kill” his ex-girlfriend, and “when I get out, I’m going to finish what I started.”

During the trial, the woman told jurors she had endured physical, verbal and mental abuse during the couple’s on-again, off-again relationship. She testified she was afraid to leave McPherson because of their children and his repeated threats to kill her. The woman had broken up with McPherson eight months earlier while he was incarcerated in the Terrebonne jail. She later obtained a restraining order against him; the order was in effect the night of the August 2012 incident.

Alleged machete stabbing lands Schriever man in jail

A 32-year-old Schriever man was arrested at 4:45 a.m. Sunday after he allegedly stabbed a Hispanic man with a machete, the Terrebonne Sheriff’s Office reported.

Deputies were called to the Jubilee Exxon, located at 301 La. Highway 20 in Schriever, early Sunday after a 26-year-old man was cut. He told authorities he’d argued with Merlin Blancho-Pacheco, of 539 La. Highway 20, Schriever, who allegedly stabbed him.

The victim was treated at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center and released.

Authorities found Blanco-Pacheco at his home and transferred him to the Terrebonne sheriff’s office for questioning. He denied cutting anyone, but detectives did recover a machete, believed to be the weapon used, in his possession.

He was charged with aggravated battery, as well as an arrest warrant for failing to appear in court.

Blanco-Pacheco remains jailed in lieu of a $4,500 bond.

Fight ends with stabbing

Terrebonne deputies arrested a 37-year-old Gray woman Saturday afternoon after she allegedly stabbed her ex-girlfriend in the eye during a fight, authorities said.

Deputies were notified by Thibodaux Regional Medical Center that the 29-year-old victim had been rushed to the hospital from Al’s Trailer Park.

She reportedly told deputies she’d gone to 136 McQuin Court in Gray – the residence of her former girlfriend, Latoya Tiaka Vincent – to pick up her personal belongings, authorities said. The two got into an argument that turned physical. Vincent allegedly grabbed a knife and cut the woman’s right ring finger and stabbed her in the left eye, deputies said.

The victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries. She was later released.

Vincent told deputies she believed the woman came to her home intending to start a fight. Deputies said Vincent admitted to arming herself with a knife. She said the former girlfriend’s finger was cut when she attempted to wrangle the knife away. But Vincent said she did not know the woman’s eye was cut.

Vincent was arrested for aggravated second-degree battery. She’s also being held on a 17th Judicial District warrant for failing to appear in court.

Steak bandit arrested

Thibodaux Police arrested a 49-year-old Schriever man last Tuesday evening after he reportedly struck grocery store employees who demanded he return the stolen steaks he’d shoved in his pants, authorities said.

Arty Marcel, of 2028 Bull Run Road, was charged with simple battery and theft of goods after he allegedly punched staffers at a grocery store in the 200 block of North Canal Boulevard. Police said the store’s asset protection personnel confronted Marcel as he tried to leave the store. Authorities said Marcel hit the employee repeatedly before other workers were able to subdue the Schriever man until police arrived.

Marcel was charged and released on a summons.

Prostitution sting nets 4

Houma Police arrested three Houma women and one alleged client last Tuesday in a prostitution sting dubbed Operation Happy 4th of July 2013.

Authorities charged Jennifer L. Hollahan, 36, of 520 Wilson Ave., Crystal Hall, 31, of 2171 Bayou Blue Rd., and Lakenya L. McKay, 50, of 100 Chateau Road, Apt. 201, with prostitution. John Hastings Jr., of 4521 30th St., in Meridan, Miss., was charged with solicitation for prostitution, Houma Police reported.

Detectives targeted the operation throughout the Houma area.

Undercover officers rode through the city in areas where residents have complained prostitution is prevalent. Hollahan, Hall and McKay allegedly approached the officers, arranging deals exchanging sexual pleasures for cash.

Houma Police said Hollahan was issued a summons for prostitution and released. Hall and McKay were charged and jailed for outstanding arrest warrants. Hastings, the Mississippi man, was issued a summons and released.

Detectives seek public’s help in finding stolen boat, trailer

Lafourche sheriff’s deputies are seeking the public’s help in finding the person or people who stole a boat and trailer in Cut Off.

Authorities said the boat was taken June 18 from a residence in the 100 block of W. 126th St. The owner reported seeing the boat at his home four days earlier.

The boat is described as a Generation 18-foot all-welded, dark green aluminum hull with a gray Yamaha 90 horsepower outboard motor and a white tiller-handle trolling motor on the front. The craft was resting on an aluminum boat trailer, which is also missing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Bayou Region Crime Stoppers at 1-800-743-7433 or to text “GIVEATIP” plus a message to 274637. Tips can also be submitted using the TipSubmit Mobile application or online at www.crimestoppersbr.org or via the “Submit a Tip” tab on the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office official Facebook Page.

Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in cash if the information given leads to an arrest.