Archives: May2017

Chalmette man booked with five counts of Attempted first-degree murder

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said a Chalmette man was booked on five counts of attempted first-degree murder after he opened fire on a man he knew, narrowly missing him, and endangering the lives of four passersby, two of whom were children.

Bruce Russell, 39, of the 3300 block of Laplace Street, was booked May 27 after he fired a shot at an acquaintance he had an altercation with, missing the man and striking a passing car occupied by a family of four.

Sheriff Pohlmann said the man who was involved in the altercation with Russell was not injured.

The vehicle passing by, occupied by a father, mother and their two small children, ages 6 and 7, was struck in the lower portion of the driver side front door by a .40 caliber bullet. The family, who were not involved in the altercation, also were unharmed.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., deputies responded to a call about a disturbance at a business located at 2601 Paris Road in Chalmette.

When deputies arrived, they searched the area, and questioned individuals on the scene, but observed no signs of an altercation, nor were they provided with any information by employees or patrons of the nearby businesses.

Sheriff Pohlmann said deputies were dispatched back to the location a short time later, when they learned Russell had earlier been involved in a verbal altercation in the parking lot with a man who works at the business. The man said Russell had left following their argument, but returned with a handgun and opened fire on him.

A warrant was obtained for Russell, who had fled the scene before deputies arrived, and he was apprehended a short time later at his home. A .40 caliber Glock handgun believed to be used in the shooting was recovered.

Russell is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of $100,000 bond.

Large Amount of Marijuana, Narcotics and Shotgun, along with more than $26,000 in cash seized

Nearly six pounds of marijuana with a street value of approximately $50,000 was seized, along with a sawed-off shotgun, other narcotics and more than $26,000 in cash, after a Chalmette man and his mother were arrested May 25 by members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division.

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann said a son and mother were arrested and nearly six pounds of marijuana with a street value of approximately $50,000 was seized, along with a sawed-off shotgun, other narcotics and more than $26,000 in cash, following a traffic violation stop made by deputies on May 25, 2017.

Tyrin Wiltz, 22, who resides in the 3500 block of Laplace Street in Chalmette, was arrested after a traffic stop made by members of the Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division.

Wiltz, who had nearly $8,000 in cash on him at the time narcotics agents pulled him over, was booked with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana (nearly six pounds), possession with the intent to distribute MDMA, more commonly known as ecstasy (139 tablets), possession with the intent to distribute Alprazolam (68 tablets), possession of a sawed-off shotgun, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Sheriff Pohlmann said a juvenile who was with Wiltz also was booked.

An additional $18,500 in cash also was recovered and Wiltz’s mother, Danielle Brown, 43, also was arrested after a search warrant for their home was obtained by agents, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Brown was booked with possession with the intent to distribute Alprazolam (44 tablets), possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a sawed-off shotgun, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana (approximately 3 ½ pounds), possession with the intent to distribute ecstasy (92 tablets), possession of drug paraphernalia, and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

At the time of his arrest on May 25, Wiltz was out on bond from an arrest which took place on May 6, 2017, and was facing charges of two counts of attempted first degree murder, aggravated flight from an officer, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute ecstasy, possession of Alprazolam, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Wiltz and Brown were both transported to St. Bernard Parish Prison to be booked. They both were released May 26 on $75,000 bond each.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office participates in mock evacuation exercise

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies and members of its Community Emergency Response Team, or C.E.R.T., participated in a mock evacuation exercise conducted by the St. Bernard Parish Homeland Security on May 24 at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette. First row, from left, are: C.E.R.T volunteers Shirley Labrano, Charlie Alfortish, Patti Pannagl, Susan Stringfrield, and Carol Eilers. Second row, from left: Lt. Bryan Fleetwood Sr., Capt. Bret Bowen, Dep. James Wood, Capt. Charles Borchers, C.E.R.T. volunteers Pat Preau, Hilton Preau and Terry Pitre, and Sgt. Eric Eilers.

Lauren Stone, left, with St. Bernard Parish Government’s community development department, puts an identification bracelet on Pat Preau, a volunteer with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Community Emergency Response Team, during the St. Bernard Parish Homeland Security’s mock evacuation exercise held May 24 at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette.

Volunteers with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Community Emergency Response Team, Susan Stringfield, left, and Carol Eilers, right, register St. Bernard resident Martina Duplessis, left, for emergency evacuation assistance during a mock evacuation exercise held May 24 by the St. Bernard Parish Homeland Security in Chalmette.

Lt. Bryan Fleetwood Sr., center, discusses a plan of action to be taken with St. Bernard Parish Government employees Julie Bradbury, seated, and Luther Jackson, during a mock evacuation exercise conducted by the St. Bernard Parish Homeland Security on May 24 at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette.

Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office participated in a mock evacuation exercise conducted by the St. Bernard Parish Homeland Security on May 24 at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette.

“The purpose of this annual event is to make sure the evacuation plan set in place works without any problems,” said Capt. Charles Borchers, director of the Community Relations Division of the Sheriff’s Office. “It gives personnel a chance to run through various scenarios and practice what to do in different situations so they can be better prepared to ensure the safety of our residents.”

Members of the Sheriff’s Office Community Emergency Response Team, or C.E.R.T., volunteered their time during the event by registering members of the community and staging them in the correct locations as if they were actually being evacuated during a natural or man-made disaster.

Also on hand were St. Bernard Parish Government workers, Louisiana State Police, Louisiana National Guard, Acadian Ambulance and St. Bernard Parish Hospital employees.

St. Bernard Parish residents with special needs or those who have no resources to evacuate themselves are eligible for assistance in evacuating should a mandatory evacuation be called in the parish, either due to a hurricane or another type of emergency which might arise. Residents can register with the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness by calling (504) 278-4268. Information also is available at sbpg.net. Click on Departments, then Homeland Security, then Special Needs Registration.

For more information about the Sheriff’s Office C.E.R.T. program, call Borchers at (504) 278-7628.

St Bernard Sheriff’s Office Junior Deputy Academy Receives Donation

Hilton Preau, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America, St. Bernard Chapter 550, center, recently presented a $100 Walmart gift card to the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office for its Junior Deputy Academy. Accepting the donation for the Sheriff’s Office are, Sgt. Eric Eilers, left, and Capt. Charles Borchers, right.

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office recently received a $100 Walmart gift card donation from the Vietnam Veterans of America, St. Bernard Chapter 550 to benefit the department’s Junior Deputy Academy, a program for children ages 10 to 13 designed to foster community pride and teach them about law enforcement.

The Junior Deputy Academy, started in 2015 and held over a five-week period during June and July, is patterned after the Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy for adults. Officers from various divisions of the Sheriff’s Office visit with participants during the course to introduce them to different aspects of police work. Participants visit St. Bernard Parish Prison and a local shooting range, and learn basic first aid and CPR.

Two Brothers Arrested In Rash Of Car Burglaries In Chalmette

Two brothers who moved to Chalmette just four months ago have been arrested in a series of car burglaries that took place earlier this month in Chalmette, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Ronald Cuevas II, 23, and Cody Cuevas, 22, both of the 3200 block of Rosetta Drive in Chalmette, were both booked on May 19 with six counts of simple burglary in reference to car burglaries that took place on May 18 in the 3200 block of Decomine Drive, the 3400 block of Karen Drive, and the 3400 and 3700 blocks of Palmisano Boulevard and on May 19 in the 3300 block of Karen Drive.

Sheriff Pohlmann said Cody Cuevas also was found to be in possession of 13 tablets of valium and was also booked with possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Cody Cuevas has a prior arrest history for narcotics, and Ronald Cuevas II has a long history of car burglary charges, including 60 counts of auto burglary in St. Tammany Parish.

Both men are being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison. Bond for both has been set at $40,000 each.

New Orleans man booked with 3 counts of attempted first degree murder in a shooting near St. Bernard/Orleans parish line

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said two New Orleans women were injured when a New Orleans man opened fire on a vehicle they were traveling in during the early morning hours of Sunday, May 21 near the St. Bernard/Orleans parish line in Arabi. A third female involved in the incident, who was a passenger in the vehicle shot at, was not injured, he said.

The incident, which Sheriff Pohlmann said is not believed to be random, is suspected to be retaliatory with the vehicle the women were riding in as the target. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests may be made, he said.

Davonte Dejean, 24, of the 4600 block of MacArthur Boulevard in New Orleans, was booked with three counts of attempted first degree murder for firing several rounds at the car occupied by the three females.

The driver, 17, was grazed in her hand by a bullet, and the front seat passenger, 18, was hit with bullet fragments in the upper rear torso area. The rear passenger, 18, was not injured. Sheriff Pohlmann said the two women who were injured were taken to St. Bernard Parish Hospital where they were treated and released. None of the injuries sustained were life threatening, he said.

Shortly after midnight on May 21, Sheriff Pohlmann said, the three females were driving from the Ninth Ward in New Orleans, headed eastbound on St. Claude Avenue. The driver said they were headed to eastern New Orleans but decided to take a different route so she made a u-turn at the intersection of St. Claude and Mehle avenues. It was then, the females said, that a dark in color 2004 Infiniti FX SUV with dark tinted windows, later determined to be driven by Dejean, pulled next to their vehicle and began shooting at them, firing several rounds and injuring two of them.

Dejean fled the scene but was apprehended the next day on Monday, May 22, following a traffic stop made by Jefferson Parish deputies on the West Bank.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office assisted the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office in getting a search warrant for Dejean’s car, which resulted in Dejean also being booked with possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance. A .40 caliber glock handgun, believed to be used in the shooting, also was recovered. The New Orleans Police Department also assisted in Dejean’s apprehension.

Dejean was transported to St. Bernard Parish Prison to be booked. He is being held in lieu of $200,000 bond.

Violet Teen Reported Missing by her Mother

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said a Violet teen has been reported missing by her mother, who said she was last seen on May 20.

Krishina Landry, 15, was reported missing by her mother, Terry Turner, who said her daughter left their Violet home in the 2100 block of Colonial Boulevard on the morning of May 20 with a bag of clothes and hasn’t been seen since.

The mother also said she has seen social media posts indicating her daughter may be with known gang members. Authorities believe Krishina may be in the eastern New Orleans area.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Krishina Landry should call the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. program graduations

Lynn Oaks School fifth-graders who graduated from the D.A.R.E. program are, front row, from left: Marcuss Campbell, Camryn Delaune, Eric Lentz, Madison Hoover, Emma Maclean, Bree Naquin, first place essay winner, and Sophia Majors, second place essay winner. Second row, from left: Hezekiah Acosta, Catherine Olivier, Mia McNab, Dominique Pfister, Noah Oliver and Victoria Sanders. Third row, from left, are: Lt. Lisa Jackson, Lynn Oaks teacher Chris Wilder, Sgt. Darrin Miller, Col. Robert McNab, Sheriff James Pohlmann, Capt. Ronnie Martin, Lt. Robert Broadhead and Lynn Oaks Principal Kim Duplantier.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann speaks with W. Smith Elementary School fifth graders who graduated from the D.A.R.E. program on May 9, 2017 about the importance of making the right choices when it comes to the use of drugs or alcohol.	Sgt. Darrin Miller, back row left, and St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, right, with W. Smith Elementary School fifth graders who were named D.A.R.E. essay winners, from left: Ronald Mott, runner up; Paris Leonard, second place; Ja’Maia Brown, first place; Cash Williams, first place; Rodney Demolle, second place; and Jeremiah Davis, runner up.
Arabi Elementary School fifth-graders who were named first place D.A.R.E. essay winners are, first row, from left: Anna Gruner, Mia Augustine, Keilon Ruffin and Mia Chauppette. Arabi fifth-graders named second place D.A.R.E. essay winners are, second row, from left: Ava Gagliano, Aniya Harris, Eva Walls and Stephanie Villatoro.	Chalmette Elementary School fifth-graders named first place winners in the D.A.R.E. essay contest are, first row, from left: Allana August, Troy Sino Jr., Chelsea Kieff and Emma Domino. Second place essay contest winners are second row, from left: Danesha Fisher, Jacob Bell, Jonathan Mackles Jr. and Imani Brock. Third row, from left, are: Col. Robert McNab, Sheriff James Pohlmann, Sgt. Darrin Miller, Lt. Chip Englande, Lt. Lisa Jackson and Lt. Robert Broadhead.
A Chalmette Elementary School fifth-grader whisks by in excitement to shake Sheriff James Pohlmann’s hand during the school’s D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony held May 18, 2017. Also pictured is Col. Robert McNab, commander of the Special Investigations Division.	D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisor Lt. Lisa Jackson, left, and Sgt. Darrin Miller, hand a completion certificate to Chalmette Elementary School fifth-grader Emma Domino during the school’s graduation ceremony on May 18, 2017. Emma was named one of the first place winners in her school’s D.A.R.E. essay contest.
Chalmette Elementary School fifth-grader Imani Brock admires her completion certificate during the school’s D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony held May 18, 2017.	Col. Robert McNab, commander of the Special Investigations Division including the Narcotics Unit, speaks with Arabi Elementary School students during their D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony about making the right choices when it comes to the use of drugs or alcohol.
Lynn Oaks School fifth-graders who got to hang out with Daren the Lion, the D.A.R.E. program mascot, are: Sophia Majors, second place D.A.R.E. essay winner, left, and Bree Naquin, first place D.A.R.E. essay winner, right.	W. Smith Elementary School fifth-grader Joseph Williams enjoys some pizza following his school’s D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony. Joseph and 49 of his classmates graduated from the drug abuse resistance program on May 9, 2017.

Col. Robert McNab, commander of the Special Investigations Division including the Narcotics Unit, standing left, and St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, right, with Lynn Oaks School fifth-graders Bree Naquin, first place D.A.R.E. essay winner, left, and Sophia Majors, second place D.A.R.E. essay winner, right.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said the D.A.R.E. anti-drug program, taught in St. Bernard Parish schools by program supervisor Lt. Lisa Jackson and Sgt. Darrin Miller, is aimed at discouraging youngsters from using drugs, including tobacco and alcohol, or taking part in violence or the bullying of others.

Fifty students graduated the program May 9 at W. Smith Elementary, 100 graduated May 11 at Arabi Elementary, 13 graduated May 15 at Lynn Oaks School and 95 graduated May 18 at Chalmette Elementary.

During the graduation ceremonies, students heard from Sheriff Pohlmann and Col. Robert McNab, commander of the Special Investigations Division including the Narcotics Unit, about making the right choices when it comes to the use of drugs or alcohol. Both stressed the importance of listening to their parents and teachers, and choosing their friends wisely.

Sheriff Pohlmann spoke to parents about the importance of protecting our future by investing in our children. He praised parents for taking part in keeping their children on the right path and focused on doing the right thing, including talking often with them and looking for warning signs to help prevent drug use.

Sheriff Pohlmann also spoke to children about bullying and how important it is to not bully others, and to report any kind of bullying they witness to an adult or teacher.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office participates in Special Olympics Torch Run

Participants in the 2017 St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics gather on the steps of the St. Bernard Parish Courthouse, along with local dignitaries. Several dozen runners, including St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, St. Bernard firefighters and Wildlife and Fisheries agents, along with parish Special Olympics participants, took part in this year’s event held May 19.

Sgt. Jessica Gernados, who coordinates the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, center in black, with St. Bernard Parish Special Olympics participants before the start of the run on May 19, 2017.

Sgt. Jessica Gernados, who coordinates the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, holds the torch while running with St. Bernard Parish Special Olympics participants on May 19, 2017.	Runners during the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held May 19 along Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. The run started near the St. Bernard Parish Courthouse on St. Bernard Highway and disbanded near Sidney Torres Park.
St. Bernard Parish Fire Chief Thomas Stone shows off his Special Olympics “Guardians of the Flame” t-shirt prior to the start of the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 19, 2017.	Brynn Plaiscia gives Col. Chad Clark a hug prior to the start of the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 19, 2017.
Sgt. Jessica Gernados, who coordinates the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, left, with St. Bernard Parish Fire Chief Thomas Stone, center, and Col. Chad Clark, right.	Adam Jones enjoys a burger at Torres Park following the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 19, 2017.
Brynn Plaiscia, center, with her parents, Agent Michael Plaiscia, left, and Kelli Plaiscia, following the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 19, 2017.	B.J. Schultz and his mom, Donna Schultz, enjoy lunch at Torres Park following the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 19, 2017.

Jordan Mahler takes a break in Torres Park following the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 19, 2017.

Capt. Brian Clark, left, and Cpl. Shane Lulei, both of the Sheriff’s Office Marine Division, man the barbecue pit during a celebration in Torres Park following the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 19, 2017.

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, along with St. Bernard firefighters and state and federal Wildlife and Fisheries agents and St. Bernard Parish Special Olympics participants, took part in the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics on Friday, May 19, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Sgt. Jessica Gernados, who coordinates the run for the Sheriff’s Office, said several dozen people participated in this year’s event. Gernados and several other participants took turns carrying the “Flame of Hope” for Special Olympics Louisiana through the parish during the run which began around 10 a.m. near the St. Bernard Parish Courthouse in Chalmette.

Following the mile-long run along Judge Perez Drive, Sheriff Pohlmann said, participants met near the pavilion on the Dr. Meraux Boulevard side of Sidney Torres Park where they enjoyed food and refreshments.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is an international series of torch relays, run by law enforcement officers leading up to the state or nation’s Special Olympics Summer Games. The event, which has been celebrated for 33 years, brings together more than 2,000 law enforcement officers who take part statewide each year.

The Louisiana State Summer Games will be held May 19 through 21 on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond.

Sheriff’s Office Roundup Leads to Arrest of 12

Michael Vickers	Jerrica McKnight	Destiny Lokey
Louis Flores	Ivanna Adams	Michelle Sinclair
Jeremy Johnston	Robin Davis	Joequell Anderson
Leo Spadoni	David Johnson	Troy Jones

St. Bernard Sheriff’s deputies with an arrested subject apprehended during the investigation May 17, 2017.

Capt. Ronnie Martin keeps tally on suspects arrested on felony bench warrants during a roundup May 17, 2017.

Agents with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team began Wednesday (May 17) morning rounding up several individuals from across the parish who were wanted on outstanding felony bench warrants, as well as probation and parole violations for everything from narcotics to aggravated battery to burglary, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Five men and three women were arrested in a roundup that began before dawn and continued throughout the day. An additional four individuals also were arrested during the course of the investigation.

Sheriff Pohlmann said members of the SWAT Team were assisted by members of the U.S. Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Force and Louisiana Probation and Parole. The Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team is commanded by Capt. Robert Norton and Capt. Ronnie Martin is assistant commander.

Those arrested in the roundup are:

Those arrested in the roundup are:

-Jerrica McKnight, 30, aggravated assault, obscene talk on phones, simple criminal damage $500-$5,000, home invasion, and theft under $500;

-Destiny Lokey, 24, aggravated battery and disturbing the peace;

-Jeremy Johnston, 29, parole violation for burglary;

-Louis Flores, 20, probation violation for burglary;

-Joequell Anderson, 23, theft $750-$5,000;

-Robin Davis, 42, probation violation for possession of narcotics;

-David Johnson, 44, narcotics warrant;

-Michael Vickers, 28, burglary;

Additional arrests were made during the investigation. Those arrested included:

-Leo Spadoni, 28, possession of marijuana;

-Troy Jones, 23, possession of marijuana;

-Ivanna Adams, 25, outstanding warrant out of New Orleans for criminal damage;

-Michelle Sinclair, 24, possession of marijuana.