Archives: February2019

Sgt. Eric Eilers, of the Community Relations Division Visited Meraux Elementary

Sgt. Eric Eilers, of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Community Relations Division, recently visited with and read to Arlene Meraux Elementary School pre-kindergarten students in Kelly Tramontana and Mary Ricouard’s class.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office to lead Knights of Nemesis parade.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office to lead Knights of Nemesis parade,
with updates on social media and live streaming on YouTube

If you’ve ever gone to a Carnival parade, you’ve probably found yourself impatiently staring down the road, wondering how much longer it will be until the parade arrives. Thanks to the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, parade-goers can rest easy at the Knights of Nemesis’ 14th annual parade set to roll Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. in Chalmette.

For the sixth consecutive year, St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said the department’s Mobile Emergency Operations Center will lead the parade, posting regular location updates on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook and Twitter pages along the way. The parade also will be streamed live on the Sheriff’s Office YouTube Channel. A link to the YouTube Channel will be posted on the SBSO Facebook page the day of the parade.

Manned each year by Maj. Angela Huff, Capt. Charles Borchers and Capt. Bret Bowen, the department’s mobile command unit essentially controls the running of the parade by coordinating closures of main cross streets as the parade approaches and making adjustments in the speed of the procession.

Capt. Bowen, who maintains and operates the mobile command unit, said throughout the duration of the parade they communicate with deputies along the route who keep them informed of any circumstances that may affect the parade’s flow, including tractor breakdowns or any other mishaps.

While Capt. Bowen is driving, Maj. Huff and Capt. Borchers take care of the social media updates, including posting information about delays and photos from along the route. A camera mounted to the mobile command unit will provide the live YouTube streaming.

Capt. Bowen said utilizing the unit and technology helps provide relief for the Sheriff’s Office Radio Room, or 911 Center, during parades.

“The main reason we started this was if you wanted to know where the parade was before you would call the Sheriff’s Office,” he said. “So now, thanks to the use of social media, we can post information on our Facebook and Twitter accounts to help alleviate the number of calls we get that tie up our lines and prevent more important calls from coming through.”

This year’s Nemesis parade, featuring more than 15 floats, nearly two dozen marching units and more than 250 riders, will follow the traditional route, beginning and ending at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, 8245 W. Judge Perez Drive, with U-turns at the intersections near Dr. Meraux Boulevard and Campagna Drive.

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Chalmette man arrested for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrest Chalmette man for possession
with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine

Following an undercover investigation conducted by the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division Narcotics Unit, a Chalmette man was arrested for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, Sheriff James Pohlmann said. Cocaine was seized and a Chalmette woman also was arrested in the case.

James Mistretta, 49, of the 800 block of Lyndell Court in Chalmette, was booked Jan. 31 with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and turn signal required. He also was booked on two outstanding warrants out of Jefferson Parish.

After agents learned Mistretta was distributing illegal narcotics in St. Bernard Parish, Sheriff Pohlmann said, the investigation led them to a local bar where Mistretta was observed making a hand-to-hand transaction with Veronica Mullet, 37, of the 400 block of W. St. Jean the Baptist in Chalmette.

After Mistretta left the establishment he was seen switching lanes without signaling by hand or lamps which prompted agents to conduct a traffic stop on his vehicle.

During the traffic stop, Mistretta was found to be in possession of one large clear plastic bag, as well as seven smaller clear plastic bags, all of which contained cocaine.

Further investigating by agents led them to Mistretta’s residence where they recovered additional cocaine, a digital scale and more plastic bags.

Mistretta was transported to St. Bernard Parish Prison where he is being held on a $65,600 bond.

Mullet, who was booked with possession of cocaine, is being held on a $10,000 bond.

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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Four Violet residents arrested in connection with armed robbery

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrest four Violet residents in connection with armed robbery

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrested three Violet men and a 16-year-old female juvenile Feb. 6 in connection with an armed robbery, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Justin Williams, 19, of the 2400 block of Guerra Drive in Violet, was booked with armed robbery, aggravated kidnapping, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Joseph Barthelemy, 17, of the 2400 block of Caluda Drive in Violet, was booked with armed robbery, aggravated kidnapping, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Terran Barthelemy, 19, of the 2200 block of Guerra Drive in Violet, was booked with accessory to armed robbery, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

A 16-year-old female juvenile from Violet also was booked in the case with principal to armed robbery.

On Feb. 5, shortly before 10 p.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies with the Field Operations Bureau were dispatched to the 3500 block of Plaza Drive in Chalmette in reference to a report of an armed robbery.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they met with the victim who said a 16-year-old female juvenile acquaintance asked him for a ride near the intersection of East Judge Perez Drive and Colonial Boulevard in Violet.

When the female entered his vehicle, the victim said, two unknown males, later identified as Justin Williams and Joseph Barthelemy, also entered the vehicle. The two men both pointed firearms at his head and demanded money.

The victim told the suspects he did not have any cash, but would drive them to his friend’s residence to get money. When they arrived at the residence on Plaza Drive, the victim was allowed to enter the house while the two men and female juvenile waited in the car.

Once inside, the victim called 911. Williams and Barthelemy fled the scene on foot, but the female juvenile remained in the victim’s car.

Shortly after, Williams and Barthelemy were spotted returning to the scene, along with Barthelemy’s brother, Terran Barthelemy, in a white 2011 Chevrolet Impala. Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Bureau later learned they returned to reportedly retrieve a cell phone Joseph Barthelemy accidentally left behind in the victim’s car.

Deputies were able to locate a vehicle fitting the description nearby, and a traffic stop was conducted. The three males were apprehended and found to be in possession of marijuana and a digital scale.

The female juvenile was apprehended at the scene on Plaza Drive. During the course of the investigation, detectives also learned she knowingly participated in the armed robbery.

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

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office participates in Rotary Club Spelling Bee

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office participates in Rotary Club Spelling Bee

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office participated in the annual Rotary Club Corporate Spelling Bee held Feb. 7 in the Chalmette High School cafeteria, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The Sheriff’s Office team was comprised of Dep. Michelle Waites and Dep. Keith St. Germain, of the Corrections Division Juvenile Detention Center, and Dep. Aaron Johnson, who serves as the Sheriff’s Office chaplain.

The Sheriff’s Office team managed to stay in the game for several rounds, but were eventually taken out when they struggled to spell the word weber, a standard unit of magnetic flux that causes a electromotive force of one volt in a circuit. Unfortunately, other teams received some easier words the Sheriff’s Office team could have spelled, such as handcuffs and prowler.

A team from the St. Bernard Retired Teachers Association took home bragging rights as this year’s best spellers and first place winners. Second place went to the St. Bernard School Board team, and Gulf Coast Bank’s team took home third place.

Each year, for $300, teams of three people from local businesses, organizations and public offices are invited by the Rotary Club to participate in a fun competition and help raise money for a worthy cause. Refreshments are sold, and there are raffles and door prizes.

Proceeds from the event are used by the Rotary Club to promote community literacy programs, to equip area third-graders with their own dictionaries, and provide scholarships to Nunez Community College students.

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Chalmette man arrested for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine

Following an undercover investigation conducted by the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division Narcotics Unit, a Chalmette man was arrested for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, Sheriff James Pohlmann said. Cocaine was seized and a Chalmette woman also was arrested in the case.

James Mistretta, 49, of the 800 block of Lyndell Court in Chalmette, was booked Jan. 31 with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and turn signal required. He also was booked on two outstanding warrants out of Jefferson Parish.

After agents learned Mistretta was distributing illegal narcotics in St. Bernard Parish, Sheriff Pohlmann said, the investigation led them to a local bar where Mistretta was observed making a hand-to-hand transaction with Veronica Mullet, 37, of the 400 block of W. St. Jean the Baptist in Chalmette.

After Mistretta left the establishment he was seen switching lanes without signaling by hand or lamps which prompted agents to conduct a traffic stop on his vehicle.

During the traffic stop, Mistretta was found to be in possession of one large clear plastic bag, as well as seven smaller clear plastic bags, all of which contained cocaine.

Further investigating by agents led them to Mistretta’s residence where they recovered additional cocaine, a digital scale and more plastic bags.

Mistretta was transported to St. Bernard Parish Prison where he is being held on a $65,600 bond.

Mullet, who was booked with possession of cocaine, is being held on a $10,000 bond.

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.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office searching for a missing man

***UPDATE- Subject was found in good health***

 St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office searching for missing St. Bernard man

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help finding a 29-year-old St. Bernard man who has been missing since Jan. 31, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Tony Nunez Jr. left his home in the 1900 block of Joseph Drive in St. Bernard community on the evening of Jan. 31, and has not returned home or been heard from since.

Nunez is a white male with brown hair and brown eyes. He is 5’8” tall and weighs 180 lbs. He has two cherub tattoos on his upper chest.

Nunez was last seen wearing a dark blue short sleeve shirt and dark blue long pants. He drives a black 2018 Chevrolet Spark.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Nunez is asked to contact the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrest Chalmette man for possession…

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrest Chalmette man for possession
with intent to distribute narcotics, seize drugs and six firearms

Following an undercover investigation conducted by the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division Narcotics Unit, a Chalmette man was arrested for possession with the intent to distribute various narcotics, and six firearms were recovered, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Jamie Johnson, 47, of the 1900 block of Lisa Street in Chalmette, was booked Jan. 28 with possession with the intent to distribute suboxone, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession with the intent to distribute amphetamine, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

After agents learned Johnson was distributing illegal narcotics in St. Bernard Parish, Sheriff Pohlmann said, the investigation led them to his residence where they recovered 31 packs of suboxone, as well as cocaine, heroin, amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, syringes and clear plastic baggies.

The Sheriff said agents also recovered three handguns – a .40 caliber Magnum Research Baby Eagle, a .22 caliber Beretta 21 Bobcat and a .40 caliber Taurus Slim, and three rifles – two .22 caliber Remington 597s and a .7mm Harrington and Richardson.

Johnson was transported to St. Bernard Parish Prison where he was booked. He was released Feb. 1 on a $60,000 bond.

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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