Archives: July2018

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office visits with Christian Fellowship summer camp participants

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann leans in to hear a question asked by a participant of Christian Fellowship Church’s Camp Conquer Summer Camp during Law Enforcement/First Responder Day held July 27 at the church in Violet.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann visits with Christian Fellowship Church’s Camp Conquer Summer Camp participants July 27 during Law Enforcement/First Responder Day.
Lt. Chip Englande, left, and Dep. Skyler Rauch, right, show Christian Fellowship Church’s Camp Conquer Summer Camp participants some of the equipment used by deputies.	Sgt. Chris Scheeler shows Christian Fellowship Church’s Camp Conquer Summer Camp participants how the department’s bomb robot works during the church’s Law Enforcement/First Responder Day.
Lt. Chip Englande shows Christian Fellowship Church’s Camp Conquer Summer Camp participants a type of vest worn by deputies.	Dep. Skyler Rauch helps Christian Fellowship Church’s Camp Conquer Summer Camp participants hold a heavy battering ram used by members of the S.W.A.T. team.
Dep. Skyler Rauch shows Christian Fellowship Church’s Camp Conquer Summer Camp participants the shields used by the S.W.A.T. team deputies.	Sgt. Darrin Miller shows Christian Fellowship Church’s Camp Conquer Summer Camp participants the Drug Abuse Resistance Education remote control car carrying Daren the Lion, national mascot of the D.A.R.E. anti-drug program.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann visits with Rev. Henry Ballard, pastor of Christian Fellowship Church, during the church’s Camp Conquer Summer Camp Law Enforcement/First Responder Day held July 27 at the church in Violet.

Sheriff James Pohlmann and several deputies visited with summer camp participants and brought along various pieces of equipment, including the Sheriff’s Office robot, remote control D.A.R.E. mascot car, vests, and other specialized equipment.

Rev. Henry Ballard, pastor of Christian Fellowship, said the purpose of the event is to provide an opportunity for children to meet with the Sheriff and other officers in a non-intimidating atmosphere, fostering the opportunity to talk with police and ask questions.

Christian Fellowship holds the camp for eight weeks each summer, with activities geared to boys and girls ages 5-12. There are field trips and sessions focusing on self esteem and ways to resist bullying.

Sheriff Pohlmann said deputies spending time with young people is something that’s important to him.

“It’s important for us to take advantage of these types of opportunities to interact with the youth in our community,” the Sheriff said. “They’re our future so creating positive relationships with them pays off for everyone in the long run.”

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrests Chalmette man, issues warrant for brother in connection with two Chalmette jewelry store burglaries

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrested a Chalmette man and issued an arrest warrant for his brother who lives in New Orleans in connection with two Chalmette jewelry store robberies, Sheriff James Pohlmann said. The Chalmette man’s live-in girlfriend also was booked in connection with the case.

Darren Mitchell, 27, of the 3800 block of Shangri-La Drive in Chalmette, was booked July 9 with accessory after the fact for simple robbery, and an arrest warrant has been issued for Mitchell’s brother, Adrian Alexis, 33, of the 8800 block of Gervais Street in New Orleans, for simple robbery.

Mitchell’s girlfriend, Sequina Santee, 27, also of the 3800 block of Shangri-La Drive in Chalmette, was booked July 9 with obstruction of justice.

Detectives with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau worked with the New Orleans Police Department and two New Orleans pawn shops to identify Mitchell and Alexis as suspects in robberies which occured June 5 and July 3 at two different Chalmette jewelry stores.

Alexis was taken into custody by the NOPD on July 5 at the New Orleans pawn shop where he attempted to pawn a piece of the stolen jewelry.

Mitchell, who sold a piece of the stolen jewelry at another New Orleans pawn shop, was apprehended July 9 at his home after detectives found him hiding in his attic.

A criminal history check was conducted on Alexis which revealed he was on federal probation for first degree murder.

A criminal history check on Mitchell revealed he was on state probation after pleading guilty to charges out of the New Orleans Police Department for possession of cocaine in 2014 and for theft under $750 in 2017.

Mitchell also was booked in St. Bernard on an outstanding warrant for theft out of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and three outstanding warrants out of the New Orleans Sheriff’s Office, one for criminal trespassing and two for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrest New Orleans man for distribution of marijuana, recover handgun and cash following traffic stop

A New Orleans man was arrested July 19 in Arabi and a large amount of marijuana, a handgun and more than $2,000 in cash were recovered after a deputy conducted a traffic violation stop, St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Christopher Buckley, 33, of the 3500 block of Tullis Drive in New Orleans, 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, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to use turn signal.

On July 19 shortly after noon, Sheriff Pohlmann said, agents with the Special Investigations Division conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for switching lanes without signaling by hand or lamps while traveling westbound in the 6600 block of Judge Perez Drive in Arabi.

During the traffic stop, agents noticed a strong aroma of marijuana emitting from inside Buckley’s vehicle. Following a search of the vehicle, agents recovered six bags containing a combined weight of 300 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, a box of clear plastic baggies, $2,316 in cash, and a fully-loaded Taurus .38 special handgun.

A criminal history check on Buckley revealed he is a convicted felon who is on probation for a charge out of New Orleans for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Junior Deputy Academy graduation

Members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduated from the course on July 18 during a ceremony held at Docville Farms. With the graduates are, third row, from left: Sgt. Eric Eilers, Sheriff James Pohlmann and Capt. Charles Borchers.

Capt. Charles Borchers speaks during a graduation ceremony held for the 2018 Junior Deputy Academy participants.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, far right, with Junior Deputy Academy graduates who were awarded with high score shooting honors. From left, are: Ava Chalona, Mark Loustalot, Ashton Deimel, Kyler Tipton, Bronson Navarro and Cameron Tipton. Mark Loustalot and Ashton Deimel were awarded the top honors.
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with Junior Deputy Academy graduates Mark Loustalot, left, and Ashton Deimel who were awarded the top shooting score honors.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Marcuss Campbell.
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Ashton Deimel.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Ava Chalona.
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Fred Easter.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Mark Loustalot.
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Thomas Gagliano.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Jacob Lystra.
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Payten Mayer.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Bryton Navarro.
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Bronson Navarro.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Valerie Perez.
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Isiah Petty.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Steve Roberts.
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate James Shaneyfelt.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Selena Shaneyfelt.
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Landon Stasney.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Cameron Tipton.
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Kyler Tipton.	St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduate Nicco Tommaseo.
On behalf of the entire 2018 graduating class of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Junior Deputy Academy, participants Nicco Tommaseo, left, and Mark Loustalot, right, presented Sgt. Eric Eilers, left, and Capt. Charles Borchers, right, with thank you cards for coordinating the program.	Capt. Charles Borchers, left, with Luke Marengo, center, and Bill Finnan, right, members of the St. Bernard Pistol and Rifle Range who donated their time to teach gun safety to Junior Deputy Academy participants.
St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduates Ashton Deimel, left, and Payten Mayer enjoy some celebratory cake following their graduation	The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office 2018 Junior Deputy Academy graduation cake.

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Junior Deputy Academy held a graduation ceremony for its 2018 summer program on July 18 at Docville Farm in Violet.

The annual program, which ran this year from June 6 through July 12, is designed to teach youngsters about the various aspects of law enforcement.

Patterned after the Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy for adults, the Junior Deputy program included field trips to the parish prison and firearms safety taught by members of the St. Bernard Pistol and Rifle Range. Participants also learned basic first aid and CPR, heard from officers about the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, Narcotics Division, Crime Scene Investigation departments and learned about the department’s state-of-the-art equipment.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office books two family members after toddler found wandering alone in eastern St. Bernard neighborhood

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office has booked two family members after a toddler was found wandering alone in an eastern St. Bernard Parish neighborhood in the middle of the night on July 15, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Malik Evans, 17, of the 2300 block of Centanni Drive in eastern St. Bernard, was booked with child endangerment after his 3-year-old nephew who was left in his care wandered out of the house and was found walking alone several blocks away in the 2800 block of Farmsite Road in Violet.

The toddler’s mother, Aaliyah Evans, 22, of the 2300 block of Centanni Drive, was at work at the time of the incident, and has not been booked in the case. However, she was booked on an unrelated outstanding warrant out of St. Bernard for theft.

On July 15 shortly after 2 a.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies responded to a call about a small child being seen walking alone on Farmsite Road.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they found the 3-year-old walking barefoot and alone. Sheriff Pohlmann said deputies searched the area for several hours in an effort to locate the boy’s family, but to no avail.

The mother called the Sheriff’s Office shortly after noon when she got off work and saw a Facebook post about detectives searching for the boy’s family.

The boy is now in the custody of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services which is conducting its own investigation.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office searching for parents or guardians of toddler found wandering alone in eastern St. Bernard neighborhood

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating the parents or guardians of a young toddler found wandering alone in an eastern St. Bernard Parish neighborhood, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

On July 15 shortly after 2 a.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies responded to a call about a small child seen walking alone in the 2800 block of Farmsite Road in Violet.

When deputies arrived on the scene they found a male juvenile estimated to be about 2 years old who was alone and walking barefoot through the neighborhood. The boy was found wearing grey pants with white stripes down the side of the legs and a blue shirt with sharks on it. The boy has short brown hair and hazel eyes.

Sheriff Pohlmann said deputies have been searching the area in an effort to locate the boy’s family, but to no avail. The Sheriff’s Office is working with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services to locate his parents or guardians.

Anyone with information about the boy’s identity or the identity and whereabouts of his parents or guardians are asked to call Det. Danny Carreras at the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office makes arrest in fatal shooting of 4-year-old

On July 10th, 2018, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann announced that Karama Wylie, 27 years of age, was arrested in connection with the shooting death of a 4 year old female that occurred on July 5th, 2018, in the 500 block of Pierre St. in Chalmette.

Mr. Wylie was charged with negligent homicide, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of marijuana. Mr. Wylie is the father of the victim.

Sheriff Pohlmann stated that the criminal charges resulted from the ongoing investigation, which included a review of witness statements and further examination of physical evidence, in consultation with the St. Bernard Parish District Attorney’s Office.

Mr. Wylie is currently being held at the St. Bernard Parish Prison. The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office makes arrest in fatal shooting of 4-year-old

On July 10th, 2018, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann announced that Karama Wylie, 27 years of age, was arrested in connection with the shooting death of a 4 year old female that occurred on July 5th, 2018, in the 500 block of Pierre St. in Chalmette.

Mr. Wylie was charged with negligent homicide, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of marijuana. Mr. Wylie is the father of the victim.

Sheriff Pohlmann stated that the criminal charges resulted from the ongoing investigation, which included a review of witness statements and further examination of physical evidence, in consultation with the St. Bernard Parish District Attorney’s Office.

Mr. Wylie is currently being held at the St. Bernard Parish Prison. The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office holding registration for the 20th session of its Citizens Police Academy

St. Bernard Parish residents can register now for the 20th session of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy course, a free, 10-week program offered so residents can learn about police work.

“The course shows residents various aspects of law enforcement and gives them an insight on how and why things are handled in a certain manner,” St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said. “Its purpose is to foster a positive relationship between our citizens and our officers, while instilling in participants a vested interest in what happens in their community.”

Classes begin Aug. 22 and will meet each Wednesday at 7 p.m. through graduation night in October. Classes will be held in the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office second-floor training center, 2118 Jackson Ave. in Chalmette, directly behind the Parish Courthouse.

For more information or to register, call Capt. Charles Borchers at (504) 278-7628 or Sgt. Eric Eilers at (504) 278-7799. Capt. Borchers, head of Community Relations for the Sheriff’s Office, coordinates the class along with Sgt. Eilers.

During the course, Borchers said, participants will hear from Sheriff’s Office commanders on various phases of law enforcement, including patrol work, narcotics enforcement, detective duties, and SWAT team demonstrations. Participants also will be given boating safety tips, tour the Parish Prison and experience a firearms simulator.

Borchers said participants are placed in the shoes of a Sheriff’s Office deputy by way of computerized, simulated videos.

“The simulator creates real life scenarios of what an officer may encounter,” Borchers said, “and it challenges participants into making split-second decisions on whether or not they would use deadly force on a criminal suspect.”

Borchers, who is over the Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Watch programs for the Sheriff’s Office, said nearly 1,000 residents have completed the Citizens Police Academy course since its inception two decades ago.

“It’s really become a popular course among adults,” he said. “This program gives residents a real feel for what police work entails and it’s about as realistic as we can make it for them.”

St. Bernard Sheriff inducted into Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, right, was one of a select group of people inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame on July 6. Presenting Sheriff Pohlmann with the award is James LeBlanc, Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections secretary.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann was one of a select group of people inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame on July 6 in Baton Rouge. A special exhibit depicting Sheriff Pohlmann’s professional and personal accomplishments throughout his life, along with exhibits for the other inductees, were unveiled during the event and will remain on display in the Louisiana Hall of Fame Museum, located at the gates of the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, throughout 2018.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, first row, third from left, was one of a select group of people inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame on July 6. With Sheriff Pohlmann are, first row, from left: Annelle Rives, accepting the LSP Museum Foundation Board of Directors’ Louisiana Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award in Memoriam of her late husband, Ruel B. “Bucky” Rives Jr.; Justice Hall of Fame Inductee Maj. Gen. Joanne F. Sheridan, Louisiana National Guard from Vernon Parish; and Justice Hall of Fame Inductee C.M. “Marty” Lensing, warden and professor from East Baton Rouge Parish. Second row, from left: Justice Hall of Fame Inductee Rev. Charles E. Guillory, pastor and teacher from Avoyelles Parish; and Justice Hall of Fame Inductee Mike Stone, Sheriff of Lincoln Parish. Justice Hall of Fame Inductees not pictured are: Louisiana Governor John Bel Edward; and Helena Moreno, New Orleans City Councilwoman.

Founded in 2004, the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum Foundation, a non-profit organization that administers the second largest museum complex of its kind in the nation devoted to the study and preservation of judicial and correctional activities.

Each year, the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame honors about a half-dozen great leaders in areas of law enforcement, the judiciary system and the armed forces, as well as those involved in civil rights initiatives.

According to Michael D. Wynne, chairman and director of the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame, the Induction Award is considered by many to be the top award that can be bestowed upon an individual in these arenas.

“The nominees come from federal, state, parish and municipal governmental organizations, as well as private citizens. They are people from all walks of life who have helped better the great state of Louisiana,” Wynne said. “We have honored some remarkable people over the years, and now we are delighted that Sheriff Pohlmann is among them.”

The induction ceremony took place at the Louisiana Hall of Fame Museum, located at the gates of the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola. A special gala honoring Sheriff Pohlmann and the other inductees was held at the Lod Cook Conference Center on the campus of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

A special exhibit depicting Sheriff Pohlmann’s professional and personal accomplishments throughout his life, along with exhibits for the other inductees, were unveiled during the induction and will remain on display in the Louisiana Hall of Fame Museum at Angola throughout 2018.

Sheriff Pohlmann is delighted to receive such a prestigious honor.

“I’m deeply pleased and humbled to be given such an amazing acknowledgment,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “I’m honored to be among the other inductees, both past and present, who are so admired and respected.”

In addition to Sheriff Pohlmann, other 2018 inductees included: Louisiana Governor John Bel Edward; Rev. Charles E. Guillory, pastor and teacher from Avoyelles Parish; C.M. “Marty” Lensing, warden and professor from East Baton Rouge Parish; Helena Moreno, New Orleans City Councilwoman; Mike Stone, Sheriff of Lincoln Parish; and Maj. Gen. Joanne F. Sheridan, Louisiana National Guard from Vernon Parish.

Wynne said Sheriff Pohlmann and the other inductees were selected from more than 100 nominations. The Sheriff’s accomplishments impressed the nomination committee, he said.

“We not only looked at the Sheriff’s personal and professional accomplishments, but we also took into consideration the great department and the officers and staff members he has assembled,” Wynne said. “The people of St. Bernard Parish should be very proud and feel blessed to have such a great sheriff.”