St. Bernard corporal graduates from POST police academy

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office Corporal Johnny White graduated April 27 from the Peace Officers Standards and Training, or P.O.S.T., police academy held at the St. Charles Parish Regional Police Academy.

The academy includes about 400 hours of training in basic police work, including firearms use, criminal investigation, patrol procedures, writing reports, driving training and physical fitness.

Representing the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at the ceremony were: Capt. Dennis Morgan and Chaplain Aaron Johnson.

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St. Bernard deputies graduate from POST police academy

Two St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies graduated April 26 from the Peace Officers Standards and Training, or P.O.S.T., police academy held at the Slidell Regional Police Academy.

Graduates are: Dep. Albenae Harris and Dep. Melissa Wickbolt, both of the Field Operations Bureau.

The academy includes about 400 hours of training in basic police work, including firearms use, criminal investigation, patrol procedures, writing reports, driving training and physical fitness.

Representing the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at the ceremony were: Chief Deputy Richard Baumy, Capt. C.J. Arcement and Sgt. Mike Lyons.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office conduct seat belt checks

Sgt. Jorge Vargas issues a citation to a motorist for not wearing their seat belt April 26, near the corner of Center Street and St. Bernard Highway in Arabi.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office deputies have been on extra patrols throughout the parish in conjunction with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission’s 2017 “Buckle Up In Your Truck” initiative, which began April 21 and wraps up today, April 27.

“One of the safest choices drivers or passengers can make is to buckle up their seat belts,” Sheriff James Pohlmann said. “Otherwise, you’re risking serious injury or death. You may not see an accident coming, and, in just that moment, your life can be over because you didn’t do something as simple as buckle your seat belt.’’

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6-year-old New Orleans girl found wandering in Chalmette after going unnoticed by a school bus driver

A 6-year-old girl from New Orleans was found wandering a Chalmette street on the morning of April 25 after she had fallen asleep and gone unnoticed by a school bus driver who had returned home after finishing his route, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

At approximately 8:30 a.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies responded to a call in reference to an unattended juvenile. When deputies arrived on the scene, they found the girl in the care of a concerned resident who lives in the 400 block of Pierre Street, not far from where she was seen standing alone.

Sheriff Pohlmann said the girl, who attends a charter school in New Orleans, had fallen asleep during the bus ride to school and remained on the bus after other students were dropped off for classes, unnoticed by the bus driver.

The girl woke up after the driver, who lives in Chalmette, had parked the bus near his home following his shift, not noticing the child was still aboard. The girl exited the bus on her own and was found alone by a neighborhood resident near the corner of Tournefort and East Magnolia streets in Chalmette, more than 10 miles away from her school.

Sheriff Pohlmann said the girl, who was found uninjured and in good condition, was released to her grandmother, who then gave permission to school officials, who also had arrived on the scene, to return her to school.

Sheriff Pohlmann said no charges have been filed against the bus driver at this time, but the case has been referred to the District Attorney’s office for further investigation.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office to do seat belt checks

In an effort to promote driver safety, the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office will participate in the 2017 “Buckle Up In Your Truck” initiative, sponsored by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

According to the LHSC’s website, pick-up trucks comprise 25 percent of the vehicles driven in Louisiana, and are two times more likely to rollover than cars in fatal crashes. The purpose of the campaign is to encourage seat belt usage in the hopes of reducing the number of fatalities caused to motorists who don’t buckle up, not just in pick-up trucks, but in all types of motor vehicles.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann is encouraging motorists to buckle up their seat belts or risk a citation because the Sheriff’s Office will have deputies on extra patrols throughout the parish in conjunction with the program which runs from Friday, April 21 through Thursday, April 27.

“One of the safest choices drivers or passengers can make is to buckle up their seat belts,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Otherwise, you’re risking serious injury or death. You may not see an accident coming, and, in just that moment, your life can be over because you didn’t do something as simple as buckle your seat belt.’’

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Heroin, Crack Cocaine, Stolen Handgun seized in arrest

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said a man living in Chalmette was arrested and a large amount of heroin and crack cocaine was seized, along with a stolen handgun, during a special joint investigation between the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Orleans Police Department.

In the early morning hours of April 18, Sheriff Pohlmann said, members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Special Investigations Division, in cooperation with the DEA and NOPD, executed a search warrant at a home in the 400 block of East Liberaux Street in Chalmette.

Sheriff Pohlmann said the investigation resulted in the arrest of Chris Wells, 33, and the seizure of a total of 3 ounces of heroin, with a total street value of $8,340, with one of the bags containing 107 dosage units of heroin, with a street value of $5,350.

In addition, agents recovered a total of 45.3 grams of crack cocaine, with a total street value of $9,060, with one bag containing 40 individual dosage units of crack cocaine, with a street value of $800.

A 9mm semi automatic handgun reported stolen out of Texas also was seized in the investigation.

Wells was booked with possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of heroin over 28 grams but less than 200 grams, possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine over 28 grams but less than 200 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a stolen firearm, and parole violation.

Wells, who is currently on parole for distribution of marijuana and heroin, has an outstanding warrant out of New Orleans for distribution of heroin. He was transported to Orleans Parish Prison to be booked.

Ashli Martin, a 32-year-old female, also was arrested in connection with the investigation.

Martin was booked with possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of heroin over 28 grams but less than 200 grams, possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine over 28 grams but less than 200 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Martin was transported to St. Bernard Parish Prison to be booked. Her bond has not yet been set.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office accepting registration for Junior Deputy Academy

Sheriff James Pohlmann encourages boys and girls looking for something new and exciting to do this summer to join the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Junior Deputy Academy.

The Academy, started in 2015, is open to children ages 10 to 13 who reside in St. Bernard. The purpose of the program is to foster community pride and self esteem.

“Our Junior Deputy Academy program affords children a chance to learn something about law enforcement and have some fun at the same time,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “It’s designed to help develop pride and self-respect for these young people, as well as respect for their community and its values.”

The Academy, which is patterned after the Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy for adults, will be held two days a week, from June 6 to July 12, at the Sheriff’s Office Training Center, on the second floor at 2118 Jackson Blvd. in Chalmette, immediately behind the Parish Courthouse. Classes will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on June 6 and 8, June 13 and 15, June 20 and 22, June 27 and 29, and July 11 and 12. A graduation is set for July 19 at Docville Farms, 5124 E. St. Bernard Highway in Violet.

Sheriff Pohlmann said deputies from various divisions of the Sheriff’s Office visit with participants during the course of the program to introduce them to different aspects of police work.

Participants will visit St. Bernard Parish Prison and be taught firearms safety at a local shooting range. They also will learn basic first aid and CPR and hear from officers in the Sheriff’s Office Patrol, Narcotics and Crime Scene Investigation divisions. Members of the St. Bernard Fire Department also will participate. In addition, children will be shown some of the department’s state-of-the-art equipment.

To register, parents can call Capt. Charles Borchers at (504) 278-7628 or Sgt. Eric Eilers at (504) 278-7799.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office to hold drug take-back day

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann encourages residents to properly dispose of unwanted or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications on Saturday, April 29 as the Sheriff’s Office participates in the annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back.

Narcotics officers with the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office will accept unwanted medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the department’s substation, 7001 W. Judge Perez Drive in Arabi, near the corner of Aycock Street.

“Residents should take this opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets and get rid of unused drugs so they don’t fall into the hands of youngsters who might misuse them or thieves who could sell them on our streets,” Sheriff Pohlmann said.

The initiative, part of a national effort spearheaded by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, has seen more than 4.8 million pounds of prescription drugs collected since its inception in 2010.

St. Bernard residents who are unable to attend the local take-back event can contact the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-DOPE or 3673 at any time to speak with a deputy about surrendering unwanted medications, Sheriff Pohlmann said. A narcotics officer will return the call and make arrangements to collect and destroy the drugs.

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Chalmette man booked with Aggravated battery

A Chalmette man was booked April 6 with aggravated battery after an altercation with his girlfriend, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

At approximately 6:30 a.m., deputies responded to a call about a domestic disturbance in the 1900 block of Seelos Court in Chalmette.

Sheriff Pohlmann said a female who lives at the residence said she and her boyfriend, Lee White, 29, had been arguing throughout the night about her desire to end their relationship.

During the course of the argument, the woman said White pushed her against a wall, making her fall onto a bed. She said he then grabbed her by her ankles, pulling her off the bed, causing her to strike her back and head on the floor. The woman said White also tried to choke her, sat on her in an attempt to hold her down and stabbed her twice in the left hand causing two small lacerations.

White was transported to St. Bernard Parish Prison to be booked accordingly. He is being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

White was out on bond in a related incident that took place in January, 2017 with the same woman in which he was booked with domestic abuse battery and theft of goods.

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Irish Italian Islenos Parade

The 2017 St. Bernard Irish Italian Islenos Community Parade was held April 1 in Chalmette, with the men and women of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office on duty, keeping our streets safe.

Sheriff James Pohlmann led the parade, as well as several units from the Sheriff’s Office, and officers aboard the Mobile Emergency Operations Center regularly posted parade location updates on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook and Twitter accounts. Other units from the Sheriff’s Office that participated in the parade included officers with the Traffic Division, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education anti drug program and McGruff the Crime Dog.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, left, and Lt. Robert Broadhead during the 2017 St. Bernard Irish Italian Islenos Community Parade held April 1 in Chalmette.	The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Mobile Emergency Operations Center, driven by Capt. Bret Bowen, right, led this year’s Irish Italian Islenos parade, coordinating closures of main cross streets as the parade approached and making adjustments in the speed of the procession as needed. With Bowen are, Capt. Charles Borchers, left, and Dep. Leah Graf.
St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Eric Eilers, right, drives McGruff the Crime Dog, portrayed by Dep. Debrecca Richard, during this year’s Irish Italian Islenos parade.	St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office deputies stationed at the corner of Judge Perez Drive and Fazzio Road in Chalmette during the Irish Italian Islenos parade are, from left: Lt. Michelle Canepa, Lt. Richard Mendel and Lt. Pat Childress.
Capt. Bobby Norton, left, and Sgt. Chris Scheeler, of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division, during the Irish Italian Islenos parade.	Drug Abuse Resistance Education officers Sgt. Darrin Miller, left, and Lt. Lisa Jackson rode in the Irish Italian Islenos parade.
St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Capt. Mark Jackson, left, and Col. Chad Clark, on patrol at the Irish Italian Islenos parade.	St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Det. Donald Shreve directs traffic on Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette during the Irish Italian Islenos parade.
Cpl. Tommy Duplessis, left, Sgt. Jesse Gernados, center, and Agent Carlo Cacioppo, all of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division, work the parade route during the Irish Italian Islenos parade.	St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Det. Donald Shreve and Lt. Michelle Canepa walk the crowd during the Irish Italian Islenos parade.
Dep. Frank Auderer drives the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office transport unit during the Irish Italian Islenos parade.	St. Bernard Parish Prison inmate trustees clean up following the 2017 St. Bernard Irish Italian Islenos Community Parade held April 1 in Chalmette.

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