SBSO Administrative Offices closed for Good Friday

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office administrative offices will be closed on Friday, March 30 in observance of Good Friday. The administrative offices will reopen on Monday, April 2.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division undergo armed intruder response training year-round

Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics team, or S.W.A.T. team, ran through an armed intruder response training drill at Meraux Elementary School recently. Officers train throughout the year at various locations across the parish, including schools, churches, local businesses including the movie theater, and government buildings such as the parish courthouse and government complex.

Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division have been undergoing response training for various types of armed intruder situations, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

While everyone involved hopes these types of circumstances never have to be dealt with in St. Bernard, Sheriff Pohlmann said his department always trains for the possibilities.

“It’s a question of being prepared in advance for what could happen, while hoping it doesn’t happen,’’ the Sheriff said. “In today’s environment, it’s the preparation that’s the key.’’

Members of the SOD, which includes the Special Weapons and Tactics team, or S.W.A.T. team, and the Bomb Squad, receive this training year-round at various locations throughout the parish.

Under the direction of Capt. Bobby Norton, the SOD runs through various scenarios of how to best handle armed intruder situations.

“Our goal with this type of on-site training is to familiarize ourselves with the layouts of these buildings to be as prepared as possible should something like this occur,” said Capt. Norton, who is aided by S.W.A.T. assistant commander Capt. Ronnie Martin.

Keeping his team abreast of the latest trends in these types of occurrences is crucial, Capt. Norton said.

“It is imperative to run through these drills often for the safety of the public, and also for our officers who will be sent into these dangerous situations,” he said. “Training in the environments that we will be called out to if the need should arise helps us to know the inner workings of that particular building or business, giving us an advantage over the intruder.”

Members of SOD have trained recently at local schools, businesses including the movie theater and government buildings such as the parish courthouse and government complex.

“It’s good to physically go through a building and do it with repetition, acting out different scenarios, so officers are sure in their reactions and also to better work as a group,” Capt. Norton said.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office met with Nunez Community College leaders to discuss emergency response training

Capt. Charles Borchers, Community Relations and Crime Prevention director, right, talks with Nunez Community College Chancellor Dr. Tina Tinney prior to the start of a presentation given by the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office to teach the college’s faculty and staff members about response training for various types of emergencies they may encounter, including armed intruder situations.	Nunez Community College Professor of History Dr. Curtis Manning takes notes as St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Aaron Johnson discusses response training for emergencies such as armed intruder situations.
Lt. Raymond Theriot, deputy director of training for the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, shows Nunez Community College faculty and staff members some common items that can be used for protection in an armed intruder situation.	Nunez Community College faculty and staff members watch a slide show during an armed intruder presentation given by the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office containing the message: Run to protect yourself. Lock the door to keep an intruder out. Fight to protect yourself.

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office met with Nunez Community College faculty and staff members Friday, March 23 to discuss response training for various types of emergencies they may encounter on campus, including armed intruder situations, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Sheriff Office deputies spoke with Nunez leaders about ways the Sheriff’s Office can help them better prepare should they be faced with having to protect their campus and students from harm.

Capt. Charles Borchers, Community Relations and Crime Prevention director, was joined by Lt. Stephen Ingargiola, director of training; Lt. Raymond Theriot, deputy director of training; Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Aaron Johnson; and Sgt. Eric Eilers.

While everyone involved hopes these types of circumstances never have to be dealt with in St. Bernard, Sheriff Pohlmann said his department trains year-round for the possibilities.

“Of course we hope and pray these situations never arise, but in today’s environment it’s imperative that we prepare,” the Sheriff said. “Our goal is to offer some advice from a law enforcement perspective for these college leaders in the event they have a violent emergency on their campus.”

Sheriff Pohlmann said members of the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division, including the Special Weapons and Tactics team, or S.W.A.T. team, and the Bomb Squad, receive armed intruder training at various locations throughout the parish, including churches, schools, the movie theater and government buildings such as the parish courthouse and government complex.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrests Arabi man for distribution of marijuana, seize large amount of marijuana and handgun

An Arabi man was arrested March 16 and a large amount of marijuana and a handgun were recovered, St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Troy Russell Jr., 24, of the 300 block of Bear Drive, was booked with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, convicted felon in possession of a firearm and resisting an officer.

On March 16, shortly after 10 p.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, agents with the Special Investigations Division were patrolling the 2700 block of Maureen Lane in Meraux in response to tips they received from anonymous sources about some suspected illegal activity at a residence in area.

During the investigation, agents heard loud music and observed smoke from a fire coming from the backyard of a residence. When agents approached the residence, Sheriff Pohlmann said, they also noticed a strong aroma of marijuana emitting from the backyard.

A search warrant was obtained for the residence and agents recovered a duffel bag in the backyard containing just over 2 ounces of marijuana, and a .45 caliber Beretta handgun, along with prescription medication and paperwork belonging to Russell. During his arrest, Russell became combative with officers.

A criminal history check was conducted on Russell which revealed he is a fugitive wanted out of the New Orleans Sheriff’s Office for controlled dangerous substance violations and out of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office for probation and parole violations. It was further revealed that Russell is a convicted felon for drug law violations.

Russell was transported to St. Bernard Parish Prison where he is being held in lieu of a $30,000 bond.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office to patrol Louisiana Crawfish Festival

Capt. Bret Bowen readies the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Mobile Emergency Operations Center for the start of the 43rd annual Louisiana Crawfish Festival which runs today through Sunday (March 22-25) in Chalmette.

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Mobile Emergency Operations Center will be on the grounds of this weekend’s Louisiana Crawfish Festival, 8245 W. Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. Festival hours are today from 5 to 11 p.m., Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said deputies will be on patrol throughout this weekend’s Louisiana Crawfish Festival as it celebrates its 43nd year of serving up the tasty crustaceans every way imaginable.

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Archbishop Rummel Council 5747, the festival, set for today through Sunday (March 22-25), draws more than 100,000 spectators annually who descend on the grounds of the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette to enjoy live music, rides, crafts and plenty of boiled crawfish, as well as specialty dishes like crawfish bread, crawfish soup and crawfish étouffée.

Sheriff Pohlmann said deputies will walk the grounds and keep a watchful eye on the crowd from high above in the department’s Sky Watch center throughout the duration of the fair. Festival hours are today from 5 to 11 p.m., Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The department’s Mobile Emergency Operations Center also will be on the grounds of the festival, 8245 W. Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette.

With the exception of Thursday, visitors will have to pay $5 per person to enter one of four entrances on site. For more information, check out the festival’s Facebook page or visit http://louisianacrawfishfestival.com/

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Gretna man booked with aggravated second degree battery, along with other charges, after he shot a Chalmette man in leg

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the United States Marshals Service and the Major Crimes Task Force, arrested a Gretna man who shot a Chalmette man in the leg during a domestic altercation that took place on March 13 in Chalmette, Sheriff James Pohlmann said. Narcotics and a handgun also were seized following the arrest.

Andrew Francis, 33, of the 1200 block of Truxton Street in Gretna, was booked March 15 with aggravated second degree battery, as well as possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of Diazepam, possession of Codeine, possession of Alprazol, possession of MDMA (Ecstasy), possession of Cycloben, possession of Sevelame, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Shortly before 2 p.m. on March 13, Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies responded to a call about a male being shot in the leg in the 3500 block of LaPlace Street in Chalmette. When deputies arrived on the scene, they came in contact with the victim who was suffering from a single gunshot wound to his upper left thigh.

Francis, who was later identified as the shooter, fled the scene and an arrest warrant was issued.

The victim was transported to University Hospital where he underwent surgery and is listed in stable condition.

Francis’ sister, Chanel McGinnis, 32, of the 8100 block of West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette, was arrested March 13 in connection with the case and booked with principal to second degree aggravated battery and obstruction of justice.

Sheriff Pohlmann said no one else was injured during the altercation and this was an isolated incident.

Following Francis’ arrest for the shooting, a search warrant was executed on his Gretna home, where the drugs and a Glock .40 caliber handgun were recovered.

Francis’ live-in girlfriend, Areial LaSalle, 35, also was booked March 15 with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of Diazepam, possession of Codeine, possession of Alprazol, possession of MDMA (Ecstasy), possession of Cycloben, possession of Sevelame, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Francis and LaSalle were transported to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Facility. McGinnis was released March 15 from St. Bernard Parish Prison on a $25,000 bond.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office participates in Special Olympics

Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division and Criminal Investigations Bureau assists an athlete during the softball throw competition at this year’s St. Bernard Parish Public School System’s Louisiana Special Olympics held March 9 at Chalmette High School.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann gets a tight hug from Adam Jones, one of the athletes who participated in the St. Bernard Parish Public School System’s 2018 Louisiana Special Olympics held March 9 at Chalmette High School.
Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division and Criminal Investigations Bureau wait to make a catch from an athlete during the softball throw competition at this year’s St. Bernard Parish Public School System’s Louisiana Special Olympics held March 9 at Chalmette High School.	Agent Chelsie Soulagnet with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division leads athletes from one competition to another during the St. Bernard Parish Public School System’s Louisiana Special Olympics held March 9 at Chalmette High School.
Lt. Daniel Bostic with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division checks in athletes during the St. Bernard Parish Public School System’s Louisiana Special Olympics held March 9 at Chalmette High School.	Detective Donald Shreve with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau checks in athletes during a leg of the St. Bernard Parish Public School System’s Louisiana Special Olympics held March 9 at Chalmette High School.
Detective Brad Alphonso with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau assists an athlete during the St. Bernard Parish Public School System’s Louisiana Special Olympics held March 9 at Chalmette High School.	Cpl. John Scheuermann with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau leads athletes to the softball throw area during the St. Bernard Parish Public School System’s 2018 Louisiana Special Olympics held March 9 at Chalmette High School.

Sheriff James Pohlmann and members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office helped St. Bernard Parish special-needs students have their turn in the spotlight on Friday, March 9 at the St. Bernard Parish Public School System’s 2018 Louisiana Special Olympics.

More than 100 students participated in this year’s event which was held under beautiful blue skies on the track and football fields at Chalmette High School’s Bobby Nuss Stadium in Chalmette.

Sheriff Pohlmann said members of the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau and Special Investigations Division assisted special-needs students compete in a variety of track and field events throughout the day, including the softball throw, standing long jump, 100-meter run and wheelchair race.

“Our deputies should be proud of the work they’ve done at Special Olympics over the last several years,” Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Students competed according to their age ranges and abilities along with Chalmette High School students who served as their buddy participants.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office conducting search and rescue for a 14 year old who jumped into Mississippi River following a vehicle pursuit

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is conducting a search and rescue effort along with the U.S. Coast Guard and the New Orleans Harbor Police to find a 14-year-old male juvenile who is believed to have jumped into the Mississippi River following a vehicle pursuit, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

On March 8, shortly before 2 a.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies were attempting to conduct a traffic stop on a silver Infiniti FX35 near the intersection of Paris Road and Casa Calvo Street in Chalmette after observing a moving violation.

The suspect vehicle, later determined to be reported stolen out of Orleans Parish two days ago, refused to stop, and fled at a high rate of speed southbound on Paris Road, disregarding the traffic signal at St. Bernard Highway, and headed onto the Chalmette Ferry landing. The suspect vehicle then left the roadway and crashed into the guardrail of the ferry landing, becoming disabled.

The driver, believed to be the 14 year old who is missing, fled on foot southbound on the ferry landing. He was last seen in the Mississippi River, on the east side of the Chalmette Ferry landing.

The search and rescue efforts for the 14 year old are still underway.

The passenger in the vehicle, a 15-year-old male juvenile, exited the vehicle and fled on foot, but was apprehended by deputies. He was booked with resisting arrest, possession of stolen property and obstruction of justice.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.

 

 

 

 

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office stresses zero tolerance policy after booking several students with terrorizing

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann is stressing a zero tolerance policy after arresting several students, ranging from elementary to high school age, for making perceived threats to St. Bernard Parish schools and/or students.

“We want the public to know we do not take these types of acts lightly, and will take every potential threat seriously, no matter how small,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “We have no tolerance for individuals who threaten the safety of our students and our community.”

Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Bureau booked several students with terrorizing following several unrelated incidents that occured in a little over one week’s time, between Feb. 23 and March 5.

Sheriff Pohlmann wants to ensure the public that all of these threats were thoroughly investigated with cooperation from Superintendent Doris Voitier and the St. Bernard Parish School Board, and no one was harmed in any of the instances.

However, the Sheriff said, these incidents caused a sense of worry among students for their safety and wellbeing, and also made parents leery about sending their children to school, which will not be tolerated.

“Any and all threats of this nature will be investigated and the offenders will be prosecuted if deemed necessary,” the Sheriff said.

Sheriff Pohlmann urges parents to talk with their children about the severity of such threats, and what consequences can come from making them. Even comments made in a joking manner are not acceptable and will be taken seriously, he said.

The Sheriff also reminds both adults and children of the “see something, say something” rule.

“If you witness someone saying something in a threatening manner about another individual or a student body as a whole, we encourage you to report it to school administrators and to the Sheriff’s Office so we can investigate,” the Sheriff said. “No matter how small, we need to check out all instances such as these to ensure the safety of our students, faculty members and the general public.”

Anyone with information regarding any such incidents can contact the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501.

 

 

 

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