A blow struck for our fishermen
August 8, 2018
NICHOLLS’ NEW TALENT
August 8, 2018
Four men were arrested in Lafourche Parish for allegedly conspiring to damage a boat which belonged to a business competitor.
In the early morning hour 9 of Nov. 27, 2017. Lafourche Pariah Fire District No. 3 requested the assistance of the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal to determine the origin and cause of a boat fire in the 100 block of West 186 Street in Galliano.
The vessel had been sitting (ma trailer in the owner’s yard, without batteries where it was being serviced in preparation far a launch in a charter fishing business.
During that time, the boat had been set ablaze and heavy fixe damage was done to the back of the boat where a gas can with a rag for a wick was also located burned.
After investigation, the fixe was deemed incendiary.
The victim told investigators that he thought his former employer. Max Cheramie, had something to do with the fire, as the victim had recently left Cheramies business to start his own.
Over the past eight months, investigators’ efforts led them to also identify Gabriel Cheramie, Anthony Bouffanie and Adam Theriot as persons of interest in this case.
Authorities were finally able to get an interview with Bouffanie earlier this month and he admitted his involvement in this incident and detailed what happened.
According to Bouffanis, he was approached by Gabriel Cheramie about a request from Max Cheramie to have the victim’s boat disabled with a special wire, provided by Max Cheramie. which would prevent the vessel from operating.
Bouffanie a aid he would do the job. but only for a fee.
Bouffanie then got Adam Theriot involved in the plan, believing they’d both get paid to disable the boat.
The night of the arson. Bouffanie told investigators that he and Theriot. both on drugs, drove to the victim’s home in a borrowed tract
Bouffanie stayed in the truck while Theriot approached the boat wearing a disguise and gloves.
Bouffanie says Theriot returned to the truck saying he had been unable to cut wires to the vessel, so he instead placed a gas can he found on the boat dipped a rag inside to create a wick, lit it on fire, then fled.
Bouffanie says the pair drove across the canal to watch the fire grow, took pictures of it and sent it to Gabriel Charamie to prove the job was done, but he claims he was never paid.
Following Theriot and Gabriel Cheramie’s arrests. both admitted their involve merit and corroborated Bonffanie’s detail of what happened.
Authorities also located Max Cheramie. but his attorney declined a request by investigators to interview him
Adam Theriot was arrested in the Monroe area an July 10 and is charged with one count of simple arson
Gabriel Cheramie was arrested on July 13 and u charged with one count of principle to simple are on and criminal conspiracy.
Anthony Bouffains Jr. was booked into the Lafourche Pariah Jail on one count of principal to simple arson and conspiracy to commit simple anon.
Max Cheramie turned himself in to authorities on July 23. He was booked on one count of principal to simple arson and criminal conspiracy.
Four suspects were arrested and charged last week after they prepared, then executed a plot to destroy a rival’s boat.
