CRIME BLOTTER: Reported offenses in the Tri-parishes

Houma man charged with allegedly raping 4-year-old

Christopher Warren Prosperie, 48, of 213 Southland Square Apartments, was charged with aggravated rape Thursday after confessing to raping a 4-year-old, Terrebonne Sheriff Jerry Larpenter reported.

The child’s mother notified authorities Feb. 5 that her daughter had been sexually abused a few weeks earlier, authorities said. Prosperie is related to the child by marriage.

Prosperie met with detectives Thursday morning. Larpenter reported that he admitted to being alone with the child and committing indecent acts.

Prosperie remains in the Terrebonne jail with no bond. He will be arraigned April 1.

SMPSO yields narcotics arrests

The St. Mary Parish sheriff’s Narcotics Division reported the following arrests:

• Maverick Marsh, 52, 138 Village Lane, Amelia, was arrested Thursday and charged with possession of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, marijuana and a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile, as well as violating a Drug-Free Zone.

While executing a search warrant at Marsh’s residence, detectives found crack cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, authorities said. A small child was inside the home, which is located near the Amelia Recreation Center, contributing to the latter two charges.

• Ted Everidge, 53, 429 W. Gary St., Broken Arrow, Okla., and Jovian Clark, 31, 186 Friendship Alley, Amelia, were arrested Thursday. Everidge was charged with driving under suspension and possession of crack cocaine, and Clark was charged with resisting an officer by flight and criminal trespassing.

Narcotics detectives patrolling Friendship Alley spotted a hand-to-hand drug transaction between two men, according to the sheriff’s office. Everidge, who was in a vehicle, was pulled over on a traffic stop. After receiving consent to search his vehicle, detectives found crack cocaine inside.

Detectives caught the second man, Clark, after a brief foot chase through several nearby yards.

Houma man charged with arson

A Houma man was charged with arson after he set fire to a customer’s shirt at Big Daddy’s Lounge, authorities said.

Daniel J. Triche, 45, of Blue Guidry Street, was spotted on the barroom’s camera early Thursday setting fire to a man’s shirt inside the lounge, Houma Police Chief Todd Duplantis reported. The fire damaged the man’s shirt and hat; however, the man was not hurt, the chief said.

Triche was charged with aggravated arson and was transported to the Terrebonne Parish jail.

Duplantis said the penalty for arson, if convicted, is six to 20 years at hard labor in prison – two of which are without the benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence – and a fine up to $25,000.

Attempted burglar sets fire to holding cell

Dreonte Holmes, 18, 482 Paula Drive, Thibodaux, saw last Wednesday go from bad to worse after he set the holding cell in the Thibodaux Police Department on fire, authorities said.

Holmes was arrested Ash Wednesday morning, shortly after attempting to break into the back door of a home in the 100 block of N. 5th Street, police said. He was scared off after a resident inside the house began banging on a window.

Authorities spotted Holmes moments later running behind houses on Elm Street.

Thibodaux Police spokesman David Melancon said arresting officers learned Holmes was wanted for failing to appear in court on drug offenses.

The teen was arrested and taken to the Thibodaux Police Department. It was there, in a holding cell, Holmes set his shirt on fire with a small lighter he had in his pocket.

Melancon said the holding cell area was evacuated and the fire department was called. “Thankfully, no one was injured,” he said.

Holmes is now facing attempted simple burglary and aggravated arson charges, in addition to the warrant. He is being held at the Lafourche Parish jail in lieu of $80,000 bond.

Morgan City man charged on warrants

Ronell Hayes, 36, of Federal Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested last Wednesday on warrants for illegal use of a weapon/dangerous instrumentalities, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and aggravated criminal damage to property, according to Morgan City police.

The charges stem from a March 19, 2012, shooting in the 700 block of Louisiana Street, authorities said.

Hayes allegedly fired 15 shots into a residence and then fled, police said. No one was injured in the incident.

Hayes was located in the Avoyelles Parish Detention Center and transported back to the Morgan City Police Department. He was booked and transferred to the St. Mary Parish jail.