St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrest four men for possession with intent to distribute marijuana, recover four handguns following hit and run traffic accident

Following a hit and run traffic accident on Aug. 25 in Meraux, the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrested four men, two from Orleans Parish and two from Jefferson Parish, for possession with the intent to distribute marijuana. Deputies recovered four handguns, including one which was reported stolen, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Kevin Austin, 23, of the 100 block of Helen Drive in Avondale, was booked with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of Tramadol, possession of drug paraphernalia, hit and run driving, and open container.

Lance Stevens, 22, of the 1200 block of Milton Street in New Orleans, was booked with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of Tramadol, possession of drug paraphernalia, and open container.

Keenan Conley, 22, of the 1500 block of Spanish Drive in Harvey, was booked with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of Tramadol, possession of drug paraphernalia, and open container.

Leonard Lacoste, 20, of the 4600 block of Sandalwood Street in New Orleans, was booked with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of Tramadol, possession of drug paraphernalia, and open container.

On Aug. 25 shortly after 8 p.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies with the Field Operations Bureau responded to a call about a hit and run traffic accident that occured in the 3800 block of East Judge Perez Drive in Meraux.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they met with the victim who stated a vehicle had struck the front driver’s side of their vehicle and fled the scene in an unknown direction.

Based on the victim’s description of the vehicle, deputies canvassed the area and were able to quickly locate the vehicle nearby.

After conducting a traffic stop on the vehicle, deputies noticed a strong odor of marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. Following a search of the vehicle, deputies recovered marijuana, Tramadol, plastic baggies, and a digital scale.

Sheriff Pohlmann said deputies also recovered several rounds of ammunition and four handguns, one of which was listed by the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office as stolen.

All three subjects were transported to St. Bernard Parish Prison to be booked. Austin, Conley and Lacoste are each being held on a $50,000 bond; Stevens’ bond is $72,500.

A criminal history check was conducted on all four subjects. Stevens is wanted on two outstanding warrants out of St. Bernard Parish, and an outstanding fugitive warrant out of Jefferson Parish, and he also has a probation hold. Austin and Conley, both on parole for previous convictions out of Jefferson Parish, both have parole holds.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office administrative offices closed for Labor Day

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office administrative offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 3 in observance of Labor Day. The administrative offices will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office sobriety checkpoint results in several arrests

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, along with the Louisiana State Police and Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office, conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Aug. 23 in Arabi.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said officers stopped vehicles to check for impaired drivers, which resulted in several arrests, including one for driving while intoxicated, one for possession of marijuana and two for outstanding warrants.

This sobriety checkpoint was held in conjunction with the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over National Enforcement Mobilization Campaign.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office celebrates Citizens Police Academy’s 20th year

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Capt. Charles Borchers speaks to Citizens Police Academy participants on opening night of the course’s 20th session. The free, 10-week program is offered by the Sheriff’s Office so residents can learn about various aspects of police work. Also pictured is Sgt. Eric Eilers, left.

Sgt. Eric Eilers welcomes participants on Aug. 23 to the 20th session of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy, an annual program offered to residents who want to learn about various aspects of police work.

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office celebrated the beginning of the 20th year of its Citizens Police Academy Aug. 23 with nearly 30 residents ready and eager to learn about the multiple aspects of police work, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The purpose of the annual program is to provide residents with the opportunity to learn more about what the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office do on a day-to-day basis to keep their community safe.

“Our goal in offering this course is to give residents an insight on how and why things are handled in a certain manner,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “The purpose is to foster a positive relationship between our citizens and our officers.”

Coordinated by Capt. Charles Borchers and Sgt. Eric Eilers, the 10-week course will include visits from veteran representatives of each division of the Sheriff’s Office who will speak on the various phases of law enforcement, including patrol work, traffic laws, narcotics enforcement, detective duties, crime scene investigations, and SWAT team demonstrations.

Participants also will visit the Parish Courthouse and Prison to see what those environments are like. A graduation ceremony will be held Oct. 24 for participants who complete the course.

Capt. Borchers said more than 700 parish residents have participated in the Citizens Police Academy since its inception in 1998.

“It’s really become a popular course among adults,” Capt. Borchers 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.”

For more information about the program, call Capt. Borchers at (504) 278-7628 or Sgt. Eilers at (504) 278-7799.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office books Violet man with two counts of simple burglary

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrested a Violet man for burglarizing a Chalmette business and breaking into and hiding inside a backyard shed of a nearby residence, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

David Maes, 27, of Cape Cod Street in Violet, was booked Aug. 21 with two counts of simple burglary and three counts of criminal damage to property.

On Aug. 21 shortly after 3 a.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies with the Field Operations Bureau responded to a call about a business alarm sounding in the 1000 block of West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they witnessed a male subject, later identified as Maes, fleeing on foot from the business. Maes was apprehended a few blocks away when deputies found him hiding inside the backyard shed of a residence in the 2500 block of Trio Street.

During the course of the investigation, deputies recovered cash taken from a coin operated device inside the business.

Maes is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison on a $30,000 bond.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office to bold sobriety checkpoint

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office will conduct a sobriety checkpoint in St. Bernard Parish on Thursday, Aug. 23, beginning at 8 p.m. and continuing through 1 a.m. on the morning of Friday, Aug. 24, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Officers will set up on an undisclosed roadway to stop vehicles to check for impaired drivers, the Sheriff said. Anyone found driving impaired from alcohol or drugs will be arrested.

This sobriety checkpoint is being held in conjunction with the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over National Enforcement Mobilization Campaign.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrest three for possession with intent to distribute marijuana, seize three firearms and $54,000 in cash

Following an undercover investigation being conducted by the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division Narcotics Unit, three men were arrested in Arabi for possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and a large amount of marijuana, cocaine, three firearms and more than $50,000 in cash were recovered, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Eric Grishman, 25, of the 300 block of Livingston Street in Arabi, was booked Aug. 2 with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jordan Bourgeois, 25, of the 17000 block of Tangi Lakes Drive in Hammond, was booked Aug. 1 with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, expired license plate and suspended driver’s license.

Devin Liggett, 24, of the 800 block of North Lake Verret Court in Slidell, was booked Aug.1 with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana.

During the course of the investigation, agents executed a search warrant at Grishman’s residence and recovered more than 12 pounds of marijuana, including marijuana wax and a cannabis-infused edible food, 4.5 grams of cocaine, vacuum seal bags, scales and pipes.

Sheriff Pohlmann said agents also recovered two handguns and a shotgun, and $54,004 in cash.

All three subjects were transported to St. Bernard Parish Prison to be booked accordingly.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrest Violet man for possession with intent to distribute narcotics, seize handgun

Following an undercover investigation being conducted by the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division Narcotics Unit, a Violet man was arrested for possession with the intent to distribute Tramadol, and a handgun was recovered, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Jason Blaise, 29, of the 5600 block of St. Matthew Circle in Violet, was booked Aug. 1 with possession with the intent to distribute Tramadol, possession of heroin, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

During the course of the investigation, agents executed a search warrant at Blaise’s home and recovered Tramadol, heroin, plastic baggies and digital scales.

Agents also recovered a .9mm Smith & Wesson handgun, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

A criminal history check was conducted on Blaise which revealed he has a prior conviction for possession of heroin.

Blaise was transported to St. Bernard Parish Prison to be booked accordingly.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Addiction Resource Program coordinator guest speaker at Celebration Recovery

Stanley Simeon, coordinator of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Addiction Resource Program, was the guest speaker Aug. 3 at Celebrate Recovery, a ministry of Celebration Church in Arabi, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Celebrate Recovery is a faith-based support group which meets every Friday at 7 p.m. at Celebration Church, 7500 W. Judge Perez Drive.

Gatherings are open to the public and are designed to offer support to those struggling with any type of addiction, including alcohol, narcotics and gambling, as well as eating disorders, depression and anger. For more information, contact Trevor Truitt at (504) 421-2496 or Brad Etheredge at (817) 614-3363.

Simeon, who has an extensive background in helping people with all sorts of addictions, works closely with Capt. Charles Borchers, director of the Community Relations Division, and Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Aaron Johnson to facilitate the Sheriff’s Office Addiction Resource Program.

Formed in June 2017, the program provides individuals and/or their families with information on resources available to them, such as rehabilitation programs, detox centers, therapeutic plans of action and faith-based assistance such as Celebrate Recovery at Celebration Church in Arabi.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the Sheriff’s Office Addiction Resource Program and would like more information, call Simeon at (504) 517-2944 or (504) 278-7659. Participation in the program is kept confidential.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office investigating rash of car burglaries, asking residents to check their vehicles and urging them to lock up

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is investigating a rash of car burglaries that occured over the past few nights in the Chalmette area, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking residents of Missouri Street, Corinne Drive, Palmisano Boulevard and Karen Drive and the nearby areas to check their vehicles and report any suspicious activity by calling Sgt. Robert Garofalo at (504) 278-7630 or (504) 271-2501.

A suspect has been identified in the case and an arrest warrant has been issued by detectives with the Criminal Investigations Bureau. The investigation is ongoing.

In all of the cases, Sheriff Pohlmann said, the victims’ vehicles were unlocked.

Sheriff Pohlmann urges residents to keep their vehicles locked at all times in an effort to deter criminals from committing a “crime of opportunity.”

“This is why it’s very important to make sure your vehicles are locked at all times,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Locking your vehicle and not leaving items of value in plain sight can greatly reduce your chances of being the victim of theft.”

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