Terrebonne center staffers litigate for employment

Former Terrebonne Juvenile Detention Center juvenile care associate Tiffany Blakemore, who was cleared of obstruction of justice charges in February that dated back to an April 2009 sex scandal, allegedly involving minor inmates and guards, has entered litigation against the parish in an attempt to regain employment.

According to court records filed on Sept. 30 and scanned on Oct. 3, Blakemore’s lawsuit claims that she suffered “severe economic damages and loss of reputation” arising from the case that prompted a full investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice during March, and the termination of those employees believed to be involved in trading favors for sex behind bars.

Blakemore, 37, is demanding to regain employment with the Juvenile Detention Center and wants financial compensation for back pay and unspecified damages.

Lafayette lawyer Harold Register Jr., who represents Blakemore along with former Juvenile Detention Center guards Darwin Brown, Darrin Carter and Floyd Howard, all of whom also lost their jobs, did not return telephone calls requesting a comment.

The four claimants were among eight employees originally facing criminal charges of sexual misconduct by then 15-and 16-year-old female inmates who made the allegations.

During a February trial, Brown and Howard were both found not guilty of charges brought against them. Charges against three additional guards, including Carter, were dropped as well as the obstruction of justice charge filed against Blakemore being cleared.

Two of the former guards accepted plea deals one day before they were to appear before a jury. Angelo Vickers pleaded guilty to one count of molestation with a juvenile and was sentenced to seven years in prison. Christopher Turner was originally charged with molestation of a juvenile, but with his plea the charge was reduced to malfeasance based on simple battery. Turner was sentenced to five years in prison and three years probation.

Terrebonne Parish officials explained that it is their established policy not to comment on pending litigation.

Terrebonne Juvenile Detention Center guard Tandy Ellander and Director Jason Hutchinson monitor activity as part of improvements made following a 2009 sex scandal that resulted in a U.S. Department of Justice investigation. MIKE NIXON