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

Brynn Plaiscia carries the torch as Special Olympics participants kick off the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics on the morning of May 18 at Chalmette Battlefield.	Col. Chad Clark holds the torch during the start of the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held May 18 in Chalmette. With Col. Clark are, from left: St. Bernard Fire Chief Thomas Stone, Agent Brian Canepa, Lt. Daniel Bostic, Agent Ryan Lopez, Lt. Rickey Jackson, Sgt. Matthew Arcement and Sgt. Brad Nuccio.
Sgt. Matthew Arcement carries the torch at this year’s St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held May 18 in Chalmette. The run started at Chalmette Battlefield and ended near the St. Bernard Parish Government Complex.	St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Agent Brian Canepa takes his turn carrying the torch at this year’s St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held May 18 in Chalmette. With Agent Canepa are, from left: St. Bernard Fire Chief Thomas Stone, Sgt. Brad Nuccio and Sgt. Byron Shoemaker.
St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Capt. Brian Clark, right, and Capt. Gerald Kimble barbecue some burgers 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 18, 2018.	Lt. Lisa Jackson serves a burger to Jordan Mahler and other participants in the 2018 St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 18.
Tessie Riggio and Brynn Plaiscia share a moment at Torres Park following the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held in Chalmette on May 18.	Lt. Raymond Theriot talks with participants prior to the beginning of the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held May 18.

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, along with St. Bernard firefighters, 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 18, 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. Participants took turns carrying the “Flame of Hope” for Special Olympics Louisiana through the parish during the run which began around 10 a.m. at the Chalmette Battlefield.

Following the mile-long run along St. Bernard Highway, Jean Lafitte Parkway and Judge Perez Drive, Sheriff Pohlmann said, participants were welcomed outside the St. Bernard Parish Government Complex by a crowd of spectators cheering them on. Runners and Special Olympics 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 18 through 21 on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond.

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

Lynn Oaks School fifth-graders who were named D.A.R.E. essay winners are seated, from left: Gabriella Correa-Cruz, Paige Hoover, Patrick Petkovich and Ava Robin, second place winners; Kailen Robinson-Jones, first place; and Justin Tanner and Michelle Williams, second place. With the essay winners are, standing, from left: Lt. Lisa Jackson and Sgt. Darrin Miller, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisors; Lynn Oaks Principal Kim Duplantier; and Lynn Oaks teacher Chris Wilder Jr.	Lt. Lisa Jackson, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisors, left, and Lynn Oaks Principal Kim Duplantier, center, welcome Lynn Oaks School fifth-graders into their D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony May 14 at the school.
Lt. Lisa Jackson, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisor, far right, speaks to Lynn Oaks fifth-graders and their parents during the school’s D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony held May 14 at the school.	Meraux Elementary School fifth-graders who were named first-place D.A.R.E. essay winners are, first row, from left: Brooklynn Petitfils, Juanye’ Mackle, Andrea Euceda and Derek Pacheco. Second place winners are, second row, from left: Hillaree Fulgham, Diego Morales, Victoria Mathieu and Mya Sincere. With the essay winners are, third row, from left: Lt. Lisa Jackson and Sgt. Darrin Miller, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisors; St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann; Lt. Daniel Bostic; Col. Robbie McNab; Lt. Robert Broadhead; Mistress of Ceremonies student Kamryn Alexander; Meraux Elementary Principal Natalie Albers; and Meraux Assistant Principal Michelle O’Neill.
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann speaks to Meraux Elementary School fifth-graders about the importance of not consuming drugs and alcohol during their D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduation ceremony held May 14 at the school.	Sgt. Darrin Miller, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisor, helps Meraux Elementary School fifth-grader Derek Pacheco while he reads his D.A.R.E. essay during graduation. Also pictured is Lt. Lisa Jackson, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisor, right
Sgt. Darrin Miller, anti-drug program supervisor, hands out D.A.R.E. water bottles during at graduation ceremony held for Meraux Elementary School fifth-graders who completed the program.	Meraux Elementary School fifth-graders enjoy some pizza and cake following their D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduation.

Nearly 300 St. Bernard Parish fifth-graders graduated from the spring semester of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

Seven students graduated from Lynn Oaks School’s program on May 14, and a graduation was held May 16 at Meraux Elementary for 69 students. Joseph Davies Elementary School had 112 students graduate from the program in a ceremony held May 8 at the school, and Lacoste Elementary School had 104 students graduate May 10.

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.

During the graduation ceremonies, students heard from Sheriff Pohlmann about making the right choices when it comes to the use of drugs or alcohol. The Sheriff 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 reminded parents to take 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 talked to the students 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.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrest two men for distribution of various narcotics, recover drugs and a handgun with an obliterated serial number

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrested two men May 3 for distribution of various narcotics, and they seized a large amount of drugs and a handgun with an obliterated serial number, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Christopher Brown, 28, of the 3000 block of Charles Drive in Chalmette, was booked with possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession with the intent to distribute Tramadol, possession of marijuana, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding, no license plate, expired temporary tag, no driver’s license and no auto insurance.

Christopher Hornes, 27, of the 100 block of Forest Drive in Belle Chasse, was booked with possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession with the intent to distribute Tramadol, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of drug paraphernalia and warrants out of Orleans and Plaquemines Parishes.

On May 3, shortly after 5 p.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, agents with the Special Investigations Division conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with an expired Louisiana temporary tag traveling through Arabi at an accelerated speed above the posted speed limit near the intersection of Angela and N. Prieur streets.

During the traffic stop, agents noticed a strong aroma of marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. Following a search of the vehicle, agents recovered 15.4 grams of marijuana with a street value of $308, 11.3 grams of crack cocaine valued at $1,130, 2.7 grams of heroin valued at $250, 31 dosages of Tramadol valued at $155, clear plastic baggies and a grinder.

Agents also recovered a Taurus .38 special revolver with an obliterated serial number, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

A criminal history check was conducted on both subjects which revealed Hornes has two outstanding warrants, one out of the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office and another out of the New Orleans Police Department. It also was determined Hornes has a prior conviction out of Florida for a controlled dangerous substance.

Hornes and Brown are both being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison on $100,000 bonds.

Sheriff Pohlmann reminds residents to call the Sheriff’s Office narcotics hotline at (504) 271-DOPE or 3673 to report suspected illegal drug activity in St. Bernard Parish. Callers can remain anonymous, and all calls will be acted upon.

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

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann takes a moment to pose with a Joseph Davies Elementary School fifth-grade student following the school’s D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduation ceremony.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann speaks to Joseph Davies Elementary School fifth-graders about the importance of not consuming drugs and alcohol during their D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduation ceremony held May 8 at the school.
Joseph Davies Elementary School fifth-graders who were named first-place D.A.R.E. essay winners are, first row, from left: Sophia Ali, Trey Meyers, Marissa Sass and Kristion Thomas. Runners-up are, second row, from left: Barry Johnson III, Cassidy Nunez, Daliah Meyer and D’Niah Spriggins. With the essay winners are, third row, from left: Lt. Lisa Jackson, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisor; Lt. Daniel Bostic; Capt. Ronnie Martin; St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann; Sgt. Darrin Miller, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisor; and Davies Principal Donna Schultz.	Sgt. Darrin Miller and Lt. Lisa Jackson, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisors, hand out certificates to D.A.R.E. graduates from Joseph Davies Elementary School.
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann claps to congratulate Lacoste Elementary School fifth-graders during their D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduation ceremony held May 10 at the school.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann congratulates Lacoste Elementary fifth-grader Kennedi Bolds on being named a D.A.R.E. essay contest winner.
Lacoste Elementary School fifth-grader Evan Gonzales sings the D.A.R.E. song with his classmates at the school’s D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony held May 10 at the school.	Lacoste Elementary School fifth-graders who were named first-place D.A.R.E. essay winners are, first row, from left: Trace Seube, Kevin Domino Jr., Hayden Blum and Kimberly Quintanilla. Runners-up are, second row, from left: Layla Maturin, Kennedi Bolds, Travis Borden and Marae Eisler. With the essay winners are, third row, from left: Lt. Lisa Jackson and Sgt. Darrin Miller, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisors; Col. Robbie McNab; St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann; Lt. Daniel Bostic; St. Bernard School Board Member Diana Dysart; and Lacoste Principal Stacie Alfonso.
Lt. Lisa Jackson and Sgt. Darrin Miller, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisors, congratulate D.A.R.E. graduates from Lacoste Elementary School.	Lacoste Elementary School fifth-grader Evan Gonzales sings the D.A.R.E. song with his classmates at the school’s D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony held May 10 at the school.
Lt. Lisa Jackson, D.A.R.E. anti-drug program supervisor, hands out souvenir water bottles to D.A.R.E. graduates at Lacoste Elementary School following a graduation ceremony held in their honor.	Lacoste Elementary School fifth-graders enjoy some pizza following their D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduation.
Lacoste Elementary fifth-graders enjoy some pizza and cake following their D.A.R.E graduation ceremony.	Lacoste Elementary fifth-grader Trace Seube admires his D.A.R.E. anti-drug program graduation certificate during the ceremony.

More than 300 St. Bernard Parish fifth-graders will graduate from the spring semester of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

Joseph Davies Elementary School had 112 students graduate from the program in a ceremony held May 8 at the school, and Lacoste Elementary School had 104 students graduate May 10. Lynn Oaks School will hold its ceremony May 14, and a graduation is set for May 16 at Meraux Elementary.

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.

During the graduation ceremonies, students hear from Sheriff Pohlmann about making the right choices when it comes to the use of drugs or alcohol. The Sheriff stresses the importance of listening to their parents and teachers, and choosing their friends wisely.

Sheriff Pohlmann speaks to parents about the importance of protecting our future by investing in our children. He reminds parents to take 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 talks to the students 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.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office holds dedication ceremony for new substation signage and flagpoles

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann speaks at a dedication ceremony held May 8 to celebrate the newly-erected signage and flagpoles at the Special Investigations Division substation, 7001 W. Judge Perez Drive in Arabi, and the Field Operations Bureau, 4700 Paris Road in Chalmette.

Sgt. Eric Eilers strings an American flag donated to the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office by the Disabled Veterans of Louisiana Chapter 4 Auxiliary onto a flagpole at the Special Investigations Division substation, 7001 W. Judge Perez Drive in Arabi.

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office held a dedication ceremony May 8 for its newly-erected signage and flagpoles at its Special Investigations Division substation in Arabi and its Field Operations Bureau in Chalmette. The flagpoles and flags were donated by the Disabled Veterans of Louisiana Chapter 4 Auxiliary. At the dedication ceremony at the Special Investigations Division substation are, from left: Disabled Veterans representatives Jerry and Carolyn Little, Chief Deputy Richard Baumy, Sheriff James Pohlmann, Maj. Nick Cuccia, Col. Pete Tufaro, Capt. Ronnie Martin, Lt. James Harper, Sgt. Eric Eilers, Lt. Daniel Bostic, Agent Brian Canepa, Agent Chelsie Soulagnet, Lt. Rickey Jackson, Agent Ryan Lopez, Sgt. Matthew Arcement, Agent Carlo Cacioppo, Sgt. Brad Nuccio, Agent Michael Plaiscia and Agent Tommy Duplessis.

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office held a dedication ceremony May 8 for its newly-erected signage and flagpoles at its Judge Perez Drive and Paris Road substations. Seen here is the Special Investigations Division substation, 7001 W. Judge Perez Drive in Arabi.

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office held a dedication ceremony May 8 for its newly-erected signs and flagpoles at its Special Investigations Division substation, 7001 W. Judge Perez Drive in Arabi, and its Field Operations Bureau, 4700 Paris Road in Chalmette.

The signs, designed by Sheriff’s Office Col. Pete Tufaro and Maj. Nick Cuccia, were constructed by Maj. Cuccia with the use of St. Bernard Parish Prison trustee labor under the direction of Maj. Cuccia and Lt. James Harper.

The flagpoles and flags for the Judge Perez Drive and Paris Road substations were donated by the Disabled Veterans of Louisiana Chapter 4 Auxiliary and the landscaping and irrigation system around the signs were both implemented by Sheriff’s Office Capt. Gerald Kimble.

During the ceremony, Sheriff James Pohlmann thanked everyone involved for their hard work in bringing the project to completion. He applauded Col. Tufaro, Maj. Cuccia and Lt. Harper for their efforts and thanked Disabled Veterans representatives Carolyn and Jerry Little for their organization’s generosity.

The 5,000 square-foot Paris Road and Judge Perez Drive substations, which opened in July and August 2015 respectively, are two of three new Sheriff’s Office buildings constructed since Hurricane Katrina with the use of Federal Emergency Management Agency funds.

The Judge Perez substation houses the Special Investigations Division, Narcotics Division, Street Crimes Unit and the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Division.

The Paris Road substation serves as the department’s Field Operations Bureau which includes the Patrol and Motorcycle Divisions. The Paris Road station is open 24 hours a day, year-round.

The other newly-constructed substation is the Criminal Investigations Bureau at 6501 St. Claude Avenue in Arabi which opened in December 2014. In addition to the Criminal Investigations Division, the location also houses the Juvenile Investigations Bureau and Crime Scene Investigations division.

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

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann talks with Junior Deputy Academy participants during the 2017 class. Registration is open for this year’s program which kicks off June 5. To register, call (504) 278-7628 or (504) 278-7799.

Participants in last summer’s Junior Deputy Academy learn basic first aid and CPR. Registration is being held now for this summer’s Academy, which starts June 5. Call (504) 278-7628 or (504) 278-7799 for more information.

St. Bernard Parish children ages 10-13 who are looking for something fun and exciting to do this summer should consider joining the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Junior Deputy Academy. Registration is now open.

Formed in 2015, the Junior Deputy Academy is designed to foster community pride and self esteem in boys and girls while teaching them about various aspects of police work.

“Our Junior Deputy Academy program affords children a chance to learn something about law enforcement and have some fun at the same time,” St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann said. “It’s designed to help them develop pride and self-respect for themselves, as well as their community and our law enforcement officers.”

The Junior Deputy Academy, which is patterned after the Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy for adults, will be held two days a week, from June 5 to July 11, 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 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. on June 5 and 7, June 12 and 14, June 19 and 21, June 26 and 28, and July 10 and 11. A graduation ceremony is set for July 18 at noon at Docville Farms, 5124 E. St. Bernard Highway in Violet.

The program is led by Capt. Charles Borchers, head of community relations and longtime Crime-Prevention and Neighborhood Watch director for the Sheriff’s Office, and Sgt. Eric Eilers.

Sheriff Pohlmann said deputies from various divisions of the Sheriff’s Office visit with participants during the course of the program, including the Patrol, Narcotics, Marine and Criminal Investigations divisions.

Participants will visit St. Bernard Parish Prison, and will be shown some of the department’s state-of-the-art equipment. They also will be taught firearms safety at a local shooting range, and will learn basic first aid and CPR. Members of the St. Bernard Fire Department also participate in the program.

To register for the Junior Deputy Academy, parents can call Capt. Borchers at (504) 278-7628 or Sgt. Eilers at (504) 278-7799.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrests Violet man for shooting another man following an altercation

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrested a Violet man for shooting another man from Violet following an altercation, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Gerald Vosbein, 67, of the 2200 block of Reunion Drive in Violet, was booked with aggravated second degree battery.

On Friday, May 4, at approximately 6 a.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies responded to a call about a man being shot in the 2200 block of Delta Queen Drive in Violet.

When deputies arrived on the scene they found the victim, Albert Estopinal of Violet, suffering from a gunshot wound to his left shoulder.

According to the victim, the two men were involved in an altercation and Vosbein pulled a gun on him, fired one round at him and hit him in the shoulder.

Estopinal, 48, was transported to University Hospital. He is reported to be in stable condition.

Vosbein was apprehended shortly after the shooting and was transported to St. Bernard Parish Prison to be booked accordingly. The handgun used in the shooting was recovered.

Sheriff Pohlmann said no one else was injured and this was an isolated incident between the two men who were acquaintances.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrests two men on various charges after they fled from deputies and crashed in a stolen vehicle

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested two men May 1 on various charges, including possession of marijuana, after they fled from deputies and crashed in a stolen vehicle, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The driver of the vehicle, Randy Manuel, 19, of the 5000 block of Pauger Street in New Orleans, was booked with illegal possession of stolen things, reckless operation, hit and run, aggravated flight from an officer, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

The passenger, Derek Jordan Jr., 18, of the 3000 block of Pecan Drive in Chalmette, was booked with possession of marijuana.

On Tuesday, May 1 at approximately 11:30 a.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies responded to a call about a 2010 black Mazda CX-7 SUV reported as stolen out of New Orleans being spotted in Arabi.

Deputies attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle as it turned into the parking lot of an Arabi business, but the driver, later determined to be Manuel, refused to stop and fled at a high rate of speed, westbound on St. Bernard Highway.

Manuel left the roadway several times, struck the side of an 18-wheeler, and lost control of the vehicle which flipped over, hit a light pole and ran into a business storefront in the 7400 block of West St. Bernard Highway.

During the course of the investigation, deputies found one gram of marijuana on Manuel, and another eight grams of marijuana in the vehicle inside a backpack that also contained clothing, a black ski mask, and a flashlight.

Manuel admitted to knowing the vehicle was stolen and claimed to have bought it from a man in New Orleans.

Both men were treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and later transported to St. Bernard Parish Prison to booked accordingly. Sheriff Pohlmann said no one else was injured in the incident.

Bond has not yet been set for Manuel; Jordan was released on a $1,250 bond.

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Pedestrian Killed in Crash on LA 39

St. Bernard Parish – Yesterday evening, shortly after 8:00 pm, Louisiana State Police Troop B investigated a fatal crash involving a pedestrian on LA 39 north near Schnell Drive. The pedestrian was identified as 63 year old Debra Miller of Arabi, LA.

The initial investigation indicated that Miller was attempting to cross the north bound lanes of LA 39 and was struck by a 2006 Honda Accord, driven by 45 year old Mallerie Thurman of Arabi, LA, that was traveling in the right lane. Miller was transported to St. Bernard Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Thurman provided a voluntary blood sample for toxicological analysis. Impairment and speed are not considered as factors of the crash. The crash remains under investigation.

Pedestrians and motorists alike are urged to remain vigilant while on area roadways and pay close attention to their surroundings. Crashes involving pedestrians can often be avoided by following some basic safety guidelines. Pedestrians should wear light-colored or reflective clothing and should always avoid walking on the roadway in dark areas. Pedestrians must also assume that approaching motorists cannot see them, especially at night. Crossing roadways only in well-lit, designated areas and always walking facing traffic will enhance the safety for pedestrians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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