BAYOU CRIME

Suspected drunk driver kills pedestrian in Lafourche

A 31-year-old Cut Off man is charged with vehicular homicide after he allegedly drove drunk, then hit and killed a pedestrian in Mathews.

Shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, Louisiana State Police Troop C troppers were called to a single vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on La. Highway 1 near St. Joseph Street in Mathews.

The crash took the life of Lee

Matherne, 51, of Raceland. Troopers investigated and determined that Chad Lee, 31, of Cut Off, was traveling south on La. Highway 1 in a 1997 Chevy Silverado, while Matherne was walking northbound on La. Highway 1 near the southbound lane.

Authorities said the victim was struck by Lee’s vehicle and was pronounced dead on the scene.

Lee was properly restrained and was not injured in the crash. The suspect showed signs of impairment when troopers arrived and he was taken under arrest.

Troopers said he submitted to a breath test, which also showed he was above the legal limit. Lee was taken to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center and charged with vehicular homicide.

Impairment is not suspected for Matherne, but standard toxicology tests are pending. Troop C said the crash remains under investigation.

Inmate, girlfriend, charged after alleged contraband scheme at Transitional Work Program

An inmate in Lafourche Parish’s Transitional Work Program and his girlfriend are charged after they allegedly worked together in a scheme to bring contraband into the facility for illegal sale.

Supervisors at the Transitional Work Program said they learned that inmate Mitchell Carrere, 30, was allegedly selling Suboxone strips to others in the program.

Investigators said they learned that this was possible because his girlfriend, Katie Billiot, 29, of Houma, was getting the Suboxone by prescription and delivering the drugs to the inmate by dropping them into the trash receptacle at the facility during visitation.

Carrere was assigned to in-house janitorial duties, so he would allegedly retrieve the drugs from the garbage.

After learning this was allegedly taking place, authorities caught video of Billiot throwing an item into the trash during the next visitation day.

The item was recovered and investigators said they discovered four Suboxone strips inside.

During questioning, authorities said Carrere allegedly admitted to selling Suboxone at the facility.

Carrere was moved from the Transitional Work Program to the Lafourche Parish Jail where he was booked on charges of possession with the intent to distribute Suboxone and taking contraband into a penal institution.

Billion was arrested on June 1 and charged with distribution of Suboxone and taking contraband to a penal institution.

She was booked in the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux.

She was released later that day after posting a $15,000 bond.

Terrebonne man arrested for sexual battery

A 21 year old Houma man is in custody of the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office after he allegedly touched a young child inappropriately.

On May 30, TPSO detectives were called by a mother who said her child was sexually assaulted.

The mom told authorities that her child was under 10, and she informed detectives that her daughter told her that an acquaintance of the family touched her in an inappropriate manner during a sleep over.

The victim said there were a few different incidents that occurred and the most recent was about a month ago.

The victim identified the suspect as Brody Paul Guidry, 21, of 1519 Saint Marie Drive, Houma.

On May 31, TPSO detectives made contact with Guidry and he went to the sheriff’s office for questioning.

During an interview, authorities said the suspect admitted to touching the minor in an inappropriate manner on more than one occasion.

Guidry was arrested for sexual battery.

He is held on a $5,000 bond.

Suspect violates protective order, is arrested

A 44-year-old Houma man is in custody of authorities after he allegedly refused to move out of a residence after an eviction.

On May 28 at approximately 5 a.m., Houma Police officers responded to an address in the 200 block of Bergeron Street in reference to a subject violating a protective order.

The victim advised officers that her ex-husband, Alton James, 44, of Houma, had forced his way into her residence and was still inside.

The victim also told officers that James had been legally evicted from the property and that she had an active protective order against him.

Officers went into the residence and found James. They also verified that a protective order existed, which required he stay away from the victim his ex-wife.

Upon taking James into custody, authorities said they found a marijuana cigarette, which they collected for evidence in the case.

James is charged with violation of a protective order, simple burglary and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Suspect sought in Thibodaux stabbing incident

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking the public’s help in finding the suspect(s) responsible for a stabbing last week in Thibodaux.

Around 11 p.m. on May 25, deputies said they were called in reference to a male subject in his 20s being stabbed by a female at an apartment on Marie Street in Thibodaux.

The victim and suspect had fled the scene prior to deputies’ arrival.

A short time later, deputies responded to a parking lot at Thibodaux High School after receiving a call that the victim was still there.

Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the victim and discovered that he had a puncture wound on the left side of his back.

Authorities said the victim was taken by ambulance to Ochsner St. Anne Hospital in Mathews, then was airlifted to University in New Orleans, where he was in serious, but stable, condition over the weekend.

Authorities are asking for the public’s help in solving the case.

Anyone with information is asked to submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers Bayou Region at 1-800-743-7433.

They may also call online at www.crimestoppersbr.org.