Archives: December2013

Hours listed for legally using fireworks in St. Bernard Parish during the New Year’s holiday period

With the New Year’s holiday celebration here, this is a listing of the hours a St. Bernard Parish ordinance says fireworks can be used in the parish:

Fireworks can legally be used from 9 a.m. to midnight on both Sunday, Dec. 29 and Monday, Dec. 30; from 9 a.m. New Years Eve, Dec. 31, to 2 a.m. on New Year’s morning, Jan. 1 and from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1.

Any use of fireworks outside those hours is prohibited.

State Troopers seeking late model Dodge pickup and driver involved in hit-and-run death of a Chalmette woman early Sunday; Anyone with information should call State Police Troop B at 504-471-2775

State Police Troopers are seeking a late model Dodge pickup truck and its driver who were involved in the hit-and-run death of a Chalmette woman pedestrian struck and killed early Sunday morning off the west-bound shoulder of West St. Bernard Highway near Madison Drive in Chalmette.

Donna Landry, 54, was found dead by a passing bicyclist about 5:30 a.m., State Police said.

Preliminary investigation revealed a late model Dodge pick-up, possibly white in color, was traveling west on West St. Bernard Highway and for unknown reasons traveled onto the shoulder of the road and struck a pedestrian who was walking on the west-bound shoulder, State Police said.

The vehicle then fled and the woman pedestrian was later pronounced dead on the scene.

Troopers were able to gather evidence from the vehicle at the scene and are searching for the Dodge pick-up.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is urged to contact Louisiana State Police Troop B at (504) 471-2775.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s deputies initially went to the scene but no witnesses to the incident were located, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Hit-and-run fatality in Chalmette

Woman found dead off West St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette was a hit-and-run victim; Anyone with information should call State Police Troop B at 504-471-2775 or SBSO at 504-271-2501

A 54-year-old woman pedestrian was a hit-and-run victim in Chalmette Sunday morning – found dead about 5:30 a.m. off the west-bound shoulder of West St. Bernard Highway near Madison Drive and authorities are seeking information about the driver who struck her.

The victim, who was found by a passing bicyclist, has been identified and she had a Chalmette address but her name hasn’t been released pending notification to relatives.

Anyone with information about the driver or vehicle should call State Police Troop B at 504-471-2775 or the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office at 504-271-2501.

Debris from the vehicle which struck her was located and it is believed the incident likely happened after midnight, possibly in foggy conditions, officials said.

State Police Troop B and St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s deputies were on the scene immediately after the woman was found just off the shoulder of the road. The west-bound lanes of West St. Bernard Highway have been closed for several blocks near the scene and traffic is being re-routed.

Sheriff’s deputies initially went to the scene but no witnesses to the incident were located and there isn’t a description of a vehicle involved at this time, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

State Police Troop B will be handling the investigation.

Sheriff’s free Holiday Ride Home program in effect through Jan. 2 to prevent drinking and driving; Call 271-2501; 20 people have gotten rides through Christmas Day

Twenty people so far have taken advantage of the Sheriff’s Office Free Ride Home program which runs through Jan. 2 to prevent drinking and driving and Sheriff James Pohlmann said the number is a sign some residents are heeding the advice that is isn’t worth the risk to get behind the wheel if they have been drinking.

For the 30th consecutive year, the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is offering the free Holiday Ride Home program, which was the first of its type in the New Orleans area when then-Sheriff Jack Stephens started it in 1984.

“We have had 20 people through Dec. 26 call us at 271-2501 for a ride home and that is as many as we normally get through Jan. 2,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “That shows more and more people are understanding the message, “don’t drink and drive.’’

But, the sheriff said, unfortunately DWI arrests are about the same as normal, which shows it isn’t getting through to some people.

“It is really a no-brainer. Why take the chance of injuring someone else or yourself or getting arrested for driving while intoxicated,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “We bring you home no questions asked.’’

The free rides home are for any parish resident who has been drinking during the Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year’s holidays. Sheriff Pohlmann said.

A sheriff’s deputy will pick you up and take you to your home in St. Bernard or, if you live out of the parish, you can be taken to a sheriff’s sub-station where arrangements can be made to have someone pick you up there.

“We are proud of the Holiday Ride Home program,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “And why not? It was innovative when it was started and it shows we don’t want anyone injured by impaired drivers.’’

The Sheriff’s Office will be working in conjunction with State Police to battle drunk-driving by looking for impaired drivers. There is a checkpoint in St. Bernard the night of Dec. 27 and otherwise, “We patrol vigorously looking for anyone who is driving drunk or on drugs,’’ the sheriff said.

Sheriff’s Office C.O.P.S. for Christmas program helps Chalmette family with presents and dinner for the holiday

Amanda and Dustin Fodness of Chalmette said things weren’t going well for their family lately, including having vehicle problems. Christmas was looking bleak for the children, Benjamin, 7, and Nola, who is 3.

But through a referral from a school, a group of St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies heard about the family’s plight and have helped to brighten the holiday.

Officers from the Corrections Division and the Communications Division, who last year formed a group they call C.O.P.S. for Christmas – standing for Caring Officers Provide Smiles for Christmas – donated money and got other help to provide the family presents and Christmas dinner.

Deputies delivered the items the night of Dec. 23.

The two children received a bicycle each and other gifts, as well as a visit from Santa Claus.

“This is so nice,’’ Amanda Fodness said of the help. “We couldn’t have had a real Christmas without it.’’

Shown gathered around the Christmas tree in the Chalmette home are, in front from left, Jodi Mowers of the Corrections Division, Seth Penton, son of Lt. Jamie Penton of the Communications Division, Amanda Fodness’ son, Benjamin, and Capt. Angela Huff and Deputy Darlene Langsford, both of Corrections.

In the middle row are Lt. Jamie Penton and her daughter, Kaya Penton. In the back, from left, are Dustin Fodness, Amanda Fodness, who is seated, Dep. Wayne Babin Jr. of Corrections who is holding Amanda Fodness’ daughter, Nola; and three others from Corrections, Santa, also known as Cpl. Louis Mowers; Cpl. Brandon Lewis and Cpl. Jeff Babin.

34th Judicial District Court in Chalmette won’t allow cell phones in Courthouse after Jan. 1 except for officers of the court and lawyers; There are concerns about photo and video capabilities on the new phones

Reacting to changing technology which allows photos and video recordings to be made on cell phones, the 34th Judicial District Court in Chalmette will prohibit cell phones being brought into the Courthouse after Jan. 1 except for officers of the court and lawyers, Chief Judge Jacques Sanborn said.

Previously, people entering the Courthouse were allowed to bring in cell phones but told they must keep them off in courtrooms so proceedings wouldn’t be disturbed.

“But some people weren’t following instructions,’’ the judge said, and would turn them back on after they were inside.

If a cell phone went off in court it would be taken away by a court officer and returned to the offending person later, he said. As of Jan. 1, people will be turned away at the door by security until they come back without a cell phone, said Judge Sanborn, chief judge this year.

There have been more and more incidents of phones being used and now, with the so-called “smart’’ phones which have the capability to take photos and make video recordings, their use can’t be tolerated, said Judge Sanborn.

Recording devices are not allowed in Louisiana courts by rule of the state Supreme Court.

“Some people were caught taking photos in court or recording proceedings,’’ on cell phones, Judge Sanborn said. “We can’t allow that.’’

St. Charles Parish’s state court recently announced a similar policy of no cell phones.

Associated Terminals donates 20 children’s bicycles to Sheriff’s Office to give to needy St. Bernard families

Shown with the bicycles donated by Associated Terminals to the Sheriff’s Office are, in front at left, Zeljko Franks, Senior Vice-President, and Sheriff James Pohlmann; in back are Jason Perez, operations manager, and Lou Fos, crane manger.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said recipients of the bicycles have been chosen.

Associated Terminals, one of the largest midstream stevedoring companies on the Mississippi River operates at sites including at Chalmette Slip in St. Bernard Parish, in Plaquemines Parish and in Reserve.

Sheriff Pohlmann met Dec. 19 with Zeljko Franks, Senior Vice-President at Associated Terminals to receive the girls’ and boys’ bicycles.

“We are happy to help brighten Christmas for the boys and girls of St. Bernard who will receive the bicycles donated by Associated Terminals,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Franks said the company has been able to donate 115 bicycles to four groups in St. Bernard recently to distribute to needy families. With Franks were company employees Jason Perez, operations manager, and Lou Fos, crane manager.

Employees at Associated Terminals donate money to help fund the bicycle project, said Franks, who added the company has had the Christmas bike project in several parishes for 10 years.

Associated Terminals formerly donated bicycles to the American Red Cross chapter in St. Bernard when sheriff’s official Joseph DiFatta was chairman of that group but for several years has donated the bikes to the Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s Office books two Violet men with second-degree murder in Oct. 11 shooting death of Joseph “Blue” Cosse in Violet

Eugene Domino

Keith Thompson

St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s detectives have booked two Violet men who are cousins with second-degree murder in the Oct. 11 shooting death of Joseph “Blue” Cosse, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Arrested were Keith Thompson, 23, who was booked while incarcerated in St. Bernard Parish Prison where he has been held on other charges since Oct. 15, and his cousin, Eugene Domino, 21.

A judge Thursday set a $500,000 bond for Domino, being held in lieu of bond in the St. Bernard Parish Prison. He has a prior arrest record which includes narcotics charges.

Thompson will have bond set Friday on the murder count. He was already jailed on charges of a convicted felon in illegal possession of firearms – a shotgun and handgun found in his house in the 3200 block of Daniel Drive – with possession with intent to distribute about 17 grams of crack worth nearly $1,700, possession of a firearms in connection with a controlled, dangerous substance and as a probation violator.

Thompson’s arrest history includes an arrest in December 2012 after being involved in a shootout with several other people in which no one was hurt. He has also been arrested for assault and on weapons charges.

Sheriff’s detectives had sought and obtained warrants from a judge for the arrests of Thompson and Domino, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

The sheriff said both men had been considered suspects early on after Cosse was shot to death while riding a bicycle in Violet the night of Oct. 11, collapsing and dying on the front lawn of a house on Tara Drive.

Recently, sheriff’s detectives had developed information which enabled them to arrest Thompson and Domino, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

The sheriff said, “Our people worked hard to solve the murder of Joseph Cosse.’’ His was the fourth murder of the year in St. Bernard Parish and arrests have been made in each.

Cosse’s death came just three nights after another man, Truy Jones, 19, was shot multiple times in the 3100 block of Daniel Drive on Oct. 8. The next day, Gregory Reddick, 18, who had recently moved to St. Bernard, was arrested for Jones’ killing and remains jailed.

Sheriff Pohlmann has said it was believed Cosse was killed partially in retaliation for the Jones murder because Cosse and Reddick knew each other. Thompson and Domino were associated of Jones, the sheriff said.

At the time of his death, Jones was out on bond after he was arrested for looting in St. Bernard Parish during Hurricane Isaac in August 2012.

Sheriff Pohlmann stressed the latest arrests of Thompson and Domino should send a signal that the Sheriff’s Office won’t stand for “vendetta-type killings which perpetuate a non-ending cycle of violence.”

Sheriff’s Office and State Police thanked for taking part in the Michoud Assembly Facility Safety and Health Fair at NASA in November

Steve Hanberg of Jacobs Technology, center, presented plaques to Maj. Mark Poche, left. and Trooper Evan Harrell for the Sheriff’s Office and State Police’s participation in a Nov. 13 Safety and Health Fair at Michoud.

Employees at Jacobs Technology at NASA in eastern New Orleans thanked the Sheriff’s Office and State Police on Tuesday, Dec. 17, for taking part in a Michoud Assembly Facility Safety and Health Fair.

In a safety meeting at the facility, Maj. Mark Poche of the Sheriff’s Office and State Police Troop C Public Information Officer Trooper Evan Harrell were presented plaques for their departments’ participation by Steve Hanberg of Jacobs Technology. The fair was Nov. 13.

Harrell and Poche also participated in a presentation Tuesday on the effects and laws governing distracted driving, including texting or using cell phones while at the wheel.

Anyone who witnesses reckless driving on highways can call the nearest State Police troop by dialing *LSP or *577, Harrell said.

At the Nov. 13 Safety and Health Fair, SBSO deputies, including Poche, demonstrated equipment including its bomb robot – used numerous times to check out suspicious items found in public places – the department’s new mobile emergency command center obtained through a grant and its SWAT truck.

Harrell, during the safety fair, demonstrated State Police’s roll-over vehicle which shows how quickly someone not buckled in a seat belt is thrown from a vehicle in a roll-over accident.

Sheriff’s Office looking into allegations of Chalmette juveniles involved in the practice of sexting by re-sending suggestive photos to social networks

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office has begun an investigation into whether Chalmette juveniles were involved in the practice of sexting by re-sending suggestive photos to social network sites, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Sexting is the illegal practice of juveniles under 17 sending suggestive photos of themselves or re-transmitting suggestive photos they received using e-mail, computer or other electronic means. Some of the photos involved in the St. Bernard case ended up being re-sent using the social network Instagram.

Sheriff Pohlmann said sheriff’s detectives in the Juvenile Division are investigating the origin of photos involved brought to the attention of authorities and several suspects and victims have been interviewed. Some of the photos may have been altered so that a face is falsely associated with an image of a different body, the sheriff said.

No arrests have been made but detectives are trying to determine if there are violations of state law involving what is known as sexting.

Under law, a minor who sends a suggestive photo of themselves to another minor could be subject to mandatory counseling, however, a minor who re-transmits an indecent image sent to them could be subject to a short jail sentence and a fine. Adults sending suggestive images of a minor would face stricter penalties. Louisiana was one of the first states to pass a law directly aimed at teenage sexting.

In the Chalmette investigation, the sheriff said, detectives are focusing on the re-transmitting of inappropriate images.

Sheriff Pohlmann said his department will not release any further information about the investigation at this time.