Grand jury indicts man for second-degree murder in shooting death of another man last year at home of his estranged wife on Thanksgiving morning; woman indicted for inciting a felony;

Kory Mattox: Indicted for second-degree murder in shooting death of a man last November.

Tammy Martin: Indicted by a grand jury for inciting a felony, the killing of her estranged husband.

It was an odd shooting when it happened early Thanksgiving morning last year. A man living in Slidell was killed at the Violet home of his estranged wife after allegedly striking the wife’s daughter in the head with an expandable baton and was shot once in the chest by the daughter’s boyfriend, Sheriff James Pohlmann said at the time.

No arrest was made at the time pending further investigation

But after considering the case, a St. Bernard Parish grand jury indicted the shooter for second-degree murder and the estranged wife, who wasn’t home at the time of the killing, was indicted for inciting a felony. The indictments were returned Nov. 12.

Kory Mattox, 22, was indicted on the murder charge and has been arrested where he was living in Hancock County in Mississippi and will be transferred to St. Bernard Parish for prosecution, Sheriff Pohlmann said. Bond has been set for him at $350,000.

The dead man was Ricky Moser, 49, who died at the scene of the shooting in his estranged wife a home at 2105 Riverpark Drive in Violet, the sheriff said.

Tammy Martin, 46, the estranged wife of Moser, and who lives at the River Park address, was indicted on the inciting a felony charge and surrendered at St. Bernard Parish Prison Friday after being informed of the indictment. She is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond set in her case.

Moser allegedly struck to the head Raquel Nicolosi, 21, with an expandable baton while Nicolosi was visiting at the home of her mother, Martin, who wasn’t present during the incident, authorities said.

Mattox claimed justifiable homicide, saying he retrieved a shotgun and shot Moser once in the chest after the attack on Nicolosi, who was treated and released at a local hospital for her injuries, the sheriff said.

Martin had a protective order in effect against Moser at the time of the incident, Sheriff Pohlmann said. The two had been separated for months.

Also, just before the killing, the Sheriff’s Office had obtained warrants for the arrest of Moser from a judge on charges of simple burglary of Martin’s home and violation of the protective order, the sheriff said. He hadn’t been found on those warrants before the shooting. Moser was shown on video surveillance entering Martin’s home about a week earlier and the residence was damaged inside.

District Attorney Perry Nicosia said prosecution of the cases will be handled by his Violent Offender Unit. “Violent crime, including domestic violence, is a priority for the District Attorney’s Office and this case is an example of why domestic violence will be handled with a zero tolerance policy,’’ Nicosia said. He pointed out that in less than one year since he took office three people have been convicted of violent crimes for which each received life sentences.

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Veterans Recognition Ceremony held by St. Bernard Parish government to mark Veterans Day which is Wednesday

Veterans of military service gather at the St. Bernard Veterans Monument during St. Bernard Parish government’s annual Veterans Recognition Ceremony.	Flags are raised at the Veterans Monument near parish government.
Maj. Mark Poche of the Sheriff’s Office recites the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the ceremony.	Veterans attending the ceremony.

Numerous veterans of military service turned out Tuesday as St. Bernard Parish government held its annual Veterans Recognition Ceremony to mark Veterans Day, which is Wedmesday.

Mike Gorbaty, chief administrative officer for parish government and a Lt. Col in the U.S. Air Force (Retired), was master of ceremonies and Maj. Mark Poche, head of the Special Operations Division of the Sheriff’s Office, recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Darlene Graves, St. Bernard Parish Veterans Service Officer, spoke, as well as guest speaker Lt. Col. Kenneth Copple, Deputy Post Commander, Louisiana National Guard.

Bonnie Pepper Cook asked veterans attending the ceremony to stand at the St. Bernard Veterans Monument at the corner of Judge Perez Drive and Jean Lafitte Parkway and dozens gathered in front of the monuments designated for each branch of the military.

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Operator of Chalmette auto repair business shot in both legs during alleged dispute with a customer

A Slidell man who operates an auto repair business in Chalmette was shot in the lower part of both legs Tuesday afternoon during an alleged dispute with a customer, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The victim, whose name hasn’t been released, suffered non life-threatening injuries and has been taken to a hospital, the sheriff said.

The incident happened just after 3 p.m. in the 3600 block of Montesquieu Street near Genie Street in Chalmette.

Three shots were fired in the incident, with two striking the operator of the business, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

The man who shot hasn’t been identified and fled in a black Chevrolet Malibu.

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Three St. Bernard deputies graduate P.O.S.T. academy and all receive awards for class achievements

Three sheriff’s deputies graduated a P.O.S.T. police academy on Nov. 6, including, from second to left, Christopher Manno Jr., Rosalyn Cantrell and Kyle Brown. Flanking them are, at left, Col. David Mowers, head of the Correctioins Division; and at right, Maj. David DiMaggio, head of training.	Dep. Christopher Manno Jr. receives his certificate from Maj. David DiMaggio.
Dep. Rosalyn Cantrell receives her certificate from Maj. David DiMaggio.	Dep. Kyle Brown receives his certificate from Maj. David DiMaggio.

Three St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s deputies, all working in the Corrections Division, were graduated Nov. 6 from the Peace Officers Standards and Training, or P.O.S.T., basic police academy at the Slidell Regional Police Academy and all received awards for class achievements, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Graduates from the Sheriff’s Office were Sheriff’s Deputies Christopher Manno Jr., Rosalyn Cantrell and Kyle Brown.

Also, Brown finished first in physical fitness and third in the P.O.S.T. exam, while Manno was first in the firearms portion of the class and Cantrell was third in overall academics.

The academy includes more than 400 hours of training in basic police work over 12 weeks, including firearms use, criminal investigation, patrol procedures, writing reports, driving training, physical fitness and other areas.

Representing St. Bernard’s Sheriff’s Office at the ceremony included Col. David Mowers, head of the Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division; Maj. David DiMaggio, director of training; and Dep. Sheriff Eric Eilers.

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Sheriff Pohlmann endorses a proposition to renew a tax millage supporting the parish Council on Aging on the Nov. 21 election ballot; No new taxes involved

Sheriff James Pohlmann said he endorses a proposition to renew a tax millage supporting the parish Council on Aging on the Nov. 21 election ballot and urges voters to approve it for continued help for St. Bernard Parish seniors.

No new taxes are involved if you renew the millage, the sheriff said.

“As Sheriff of St. Bernard Parish I have seen firsthand the important role the Council on Aging plays in enhancing the quality of life of our senior citizens,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

“That includes providing hundreds of weekly meals to their homes as well as hosting numerous creative activities to engage and entertain our senior citizens in a warm and caring environment.”

Sheriff Pohlmann said, “On Nov. 21, there will be an election to renew the millage which supports the Council on Aging. This is only a renewal and no new taxes will be added to your assessments.

“I urge you to vote FOR the proposition to re-new the millage for the Council on Aging so it can continue to assist and serve the elderly of our parish,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

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Sheriff’s Office releases names of people involved in a heroin and weapons investigation which led to one man bailing from a car Thursday and hiding in a wooded area for five hours

Heroin, guns and bullet-proof vest seized in the case	Corey Kenney, believed by authorities to be main person in the heroin investigation
Dayna Parker. arrested in a house where heroin, guns and other drugs were found.	Dereck Meyers, man who bolted from a car on Paris Road and hit in a wooded area for five hours before he was caught on Thursday.

Sheriff James Pohlmann has released the names of five people involved in a heroin and weapons investigation which led to one man bailing from a car Thursday and hiding in a wooded area for five hours before being caught.

The main artery Paris Road was closed for hours at the scene of the search, which was close to Bayou Bienvenue at the Orleans Parish line.

Sheriff Pohlmann said, “We appreciate the patience of the public inconvenienced by the closure but it was necessary as a safety precaution because the man who ran was carrying a gun he threw away and we didn’t know if he had another weapon he might use.’’
The sheriff said four people have now been arrested in the narcotics investigation and warrants of arrest were obtained for a fifth person now incarcerated in New Orleans, The suspects include the two in the car and two arrested at a house in Chalmette on Wednesday, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Five guns, two of them stolen, and quantities of heroin, cocaine and pills were seized, along with a bullet-proof vest and several hundred dollars in cash.

Dereck Meyers, 23, of New Orleans is the man who bolted from a car on Paris Road as agents of the Special Investigations Division tried to stop the vehicle. The driver, was caught immediately as he tried to run. the sheriff said. Meyers was caught after hiding for five hours in a wooded area.

The driver was Eddie Martin, 25, of New Orleans.

Along with the gun Meyers threw down, a second gun was found in the abandoned car and it had been reported stolen..

After Meyers fled, Sheriff’s Office Head of Operations Col John Doran called out the SWAT team to participate in the search as Paris Road was closed. State Police, the Wildlife and Fisheries Department and St. Tammany Parish’s Sheriff’s Office participated, as well as Plaquemines Parish which supplied a helicopter for the search and New Orleans Police which supplied a canine.

Three of the guns, narcotics, cash and a bullet-proof vest were seized in a house on Marina Road when a search warrant executed there Wednesday and one weapon was reported stolen. All five guns recovered are being test-fired at a crime lab to see if they were used in any shootings in this area, the sheriff said.

Some 15 grams of heroin, which is just over half an ounce and worth about $1,500 on the streets, was found at the house, as well as several grams of cocaine and more than 40 tablets of the drugs oxycodone, amphetamine and ecstasy, along with the vest.

Both Meyers and Martin were booked with possession of the stolen gun in the car, with possession of seven grams of marijuana, flight from officers and possession of a firearm while possessing a controlled dangerous substance..

Martin is being held in lieu of $100,000 bond and Meyers in lieu of bond set at $75,000.

During the search at the house, the two arrested were Dayna Parker, 35, who rents the residence, and Jacoby Martin, 20, who said he lived there.

But warrants of arrest were obtained for Corey Kennedy, 35, who Maj. Chad Clark, commander of SID,
called the main person in the heroin investigation. Kennedy is being held in Orleans Parish Prison on a domestic battery arrest but Clark said the drugs found in the house were controlled by him.

Parker and Jacoby Martin were both booked with possession to distribute heroin, cocaine and pills as well as illegal possession of the body armor. She was also booked with possession of the stolen firearm that was found.

Parker and Jacoby Martin are being held on a $200,000 bond.

Investigators also have learned that in July Parker and Kennedy were riding in a vehicle in New Orleans when someone shot out their back window, possibly over drug activities.

The arrest warrants for Kennedy charge him with the distribution charges, the stolen gun charge and the body armor charge.

Based on information obtained, authorities believe Kennedy had asked someone to go to the home on Marina Road to look for items hidden there.

Agents then watched the home and saw Martin and Meyers arrive, go inside and leave, then tried to stop them on Paris Road, with them attempting to escape and then bailing out of the vehicle, the sheriff said.

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Man sought in Chalmette after fleeing police now in custody and Paris Road is fully open after being closed several hours

A man sought by St. Bernard deputies after fleeing a car and running into a wooded area off Paris Road in Chalmette has been caught, Sheriff James Pohlmann said

Neither the identity of the captured man, who is 23, nor a man who had been in the vehicle with him who was arrested at the scene, are being released at this time pending further investigation, the sheriff said.

Paris Road, a main artery in Chalmette that had been fully closed at about 1:30 p.m., was fully reopened after the suspect’s arrest about 6:30 p.m.

Both the man who bailed from a vehicle as sheriff’s deputies tried to stop the vehicle and the man caught at the scene are being booked with possession of a stolen gun found in the car, with flight from officers and on a marijuana charge, the sheriff  said.

The incident began about 1:30 p.m. when agents of the Special Investigations Division tried to stop the two men in a vehicle, the sheriff said

That attempt to stop them was part of an ongoing narcotics investigation that has already yielded the seizure of an amount of heroin and other drugs as well three other guns – one of which was stolen – and several hundred dollars in cash, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

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U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite came to Chalmette High where 450 students took part in his Student Pledge Against Gun Violence; some 21,000 students all over St. Bernard

On hand for the ceremony were, from left, Chalmette High Principal Wayne Warner, District Attorney Perry Nicosia, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite, Sheriff James Pohlmann and Quinn Smith of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Students stand with an arm raised to take the gun violence pledge.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite came to Chalmette High on Wednesday as 450 ninth-graders participated in his Student Pledge Against Gun Violence, and some 21,000 students in more than 64 schools across Southeast Louisiana took the same pledge.

Polite, who grew up on Delery Street in the Lower Ninth Ward – the last New Orleans street before entering St. Bernard Parish – said he wanted to come to Chalmette because he considers it “near and dear to my heart.’’

I came here a lot. My first job was here’’ in a shop selling frozen yogurt, he said.

U.S. Attorney for the 13 parishes in the New Orleans area which comprise the eastern district court of Louisiana, Polite began using the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence during the 2013-14 school year.

He asked the Chalmette High students to stand, raise their hand, and pledge they will never take a gun to school, will never resolve a dispute with a gun, and will use their influence to prevent friends from using guns to resolve disputes.

Sheriff James Pohlmann and District Attorney Perry Nicosia attended the ceremony, as well as Chalmette High Principal Wayne Warner, Charles Cassar, coordinator of the drug-free schools program in St. Bernard; and Quinn Smith of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Sheriff’s deputies went to several other schools in the parish where the pledge was also given by students there. Polite also went afterward to schools in New Orleans and Houma to give the pledge.

Polite told students the pledge “shows the community that you, as young people, are taking a stand against gun violence and are lifting your voices.’’

He also made them repeat the words, “I can change the world,’’ saying they can do something if they stay in school, avoid the temptation of drug abuse and and be careful of their associations. Polite, a graduate of Harvard University, said, ”I am living proof’’ that you can make it. “Regardless of your age, gender or religion you can be a major part of finding solutions’’ to problems you didn’t create.

Polite also told students to “be careful about who you call your friends. Are they pushing you toward your goals in life or pulling you away from them?”

Sheriff Pohlmann said the pledge not to take part in gun violence is a good idea because “these students are at a vulnerable age. They need to hear this message.’’

Nicosia said “It’s important to explain to young people the danger of gun violence and how it is often connected with illegal drugs.’’

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Students hear Red Ribbon Week anti-drug message with input from two former drug addicts, Sheriff Pohlmann and drug-free schools coordinator

Charles Cassar, left, drug-free schools coordinator for St. Bernard’s school system, discusses Red Ribbon Week and its anti-drug message as seniors from Chalmette High hold a red ribbon during a ceremony at Andrew Jackson Middle.

Cory Hicks, a minister and former drug addict and dealer, speaks to students at Andrew Jackson Middle.

A significant number of students at three St. Bernard Parish public schools got up at assemblies on Oct. 30 when they were asked to stand if their families or friends had been touched by drug or alcohol addiction.

The students at St. Bernard Middle, Andrew Jackson Middle and Trist Middle then paid attention as they got a lesson in making good choices in life, part of the school system’s annual anti-drug campaign known as Red Ribbon Week

Several speakers including former drug addicts minister Cory Hicks and Meraux native Robert Fezekas, Sheriff James Pohlmann and Drug-Free Schools Coordinator Charles Cassar told students their future is bright if they can avoid the pitfalls of crossing the line into drug use.
Also, as part of the ceremonies, numerous seniors from Chalmette High took part in the anti-drug event by holding a long red ribbon and taking turns discussing Red Ribbon Week and the perils of drug abuse.

Red Ribbon Week was originated in 1998, set up to honor the memory of Enrique “Kiki” Camerena, a U.S. Drug Enforcement agent murdered while assigned to investigate drug trafficking in Mexico near the U.S. border. He was kidnapped, tortured and killed.

Congress proclaimed the first Red Ribbon Week in honor of the agent and the cause he died for and some millions of people continue to participate in the event each year.

Cassar said the school system has celebrated Red Ribbon Week in October for some 25 years, in recognition of the importance “of trying to bring substance abuse awareness”” to students.

“This is done to put you in a position for success,’’ Cassar told students.

Students paid close attention to the story of Hicks, now a minister but who formerly served time in prison after getting hooked on drugs in high school and moving on to deal them.

Hicks, a former National Merit Scholar who went to prison for selling and using drugs, told students he wanted them to “invest in your future by not crossing the line’’ into drug abuse. “You are better than that,’’ Hicks said.

Sheriff Pohlmann told students that in his 32 years in law enforcement, “I have seen a lot of death and destruction caused by drugs and alcohol.’’

The sheriff said young people have to make the right decisions in life, including who they associate with.

“My jail is full of people who made bad decisions,’’ the sheriff said. “And some are lucky they are alive’’ after getting involved in drugs, which drove them to commit crimes resulting in their imprisonment.

The sheriff told students to realize not very many people come back from being hooked on drugs.

He also said drug use may start with marijuana and advance to prescription pill abuse and then further as people look for a bigger high. First, they steal from relatives, Sheriff Pohlmann said, to maintain their habits, then have to advance to burglary, theft or robbery for money and end up arrested and possibly incarcerated for long periods.

“We’re not trying to scare you but to educate you,’’ the sheriff said.

Sheriff Pohlmann also said he believes drug education should be taught in every grade level of school as a regular course.

Fezekas, who grew up in Meraux and attended Trist, told students he became hooked so bad on pills and then harder drugs, “I was praying to die’’ to end it. He said he was arrested in 2007.

He urged students not to “cross the line’’ into drug abuse but if they did they have to seek help to end the cycle.

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Four St. Bernard deputies graduate P.O.S.T. academy

Four St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s deputies, two working in the Corrections Division and one each in the Juvenile Detention Center and the Communications Division, were graduated Oct. 30 from the Peace Officers Standards and Training, or P.O.S.T., basic police academy at the St. Charles Parish Regional P.O.S.T. Academy.

Graduates from the Sheriff’s Office were Sheriff’s Deputies William Hery and Jeremy Lobre. who both work in Corrections; Dep. Sheriff Brooke Sevin of Communications and Dep. Sheriff Richard Ragan of the Juvenile Detention Center.

Also, Hery finished first in the P.O.S.T. exam and second overall academically in the class, while Lobre was first in the driving training portion of the class.

The academy includes more than 400 hours of training in basic police work over 12 weeks, including firearms use, criminal investigation, patrol procedures, writing reports, driving training, physical fitness and other areas.

Representing St. Bernard’s Sheriff’s Office at the ceremony included Chief Deputy Richard Baumy, Maj. David DiMaggio, director of training; Capt. Andre Dominick of the Juvenile Detention Center and Capt. Adrian Chalona of Corrections.

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