RSS Feed

Sheriff Blaise Smith announced the acquisition of an MRAP vehicle for the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office. The BAE Caiman MRAP will be used as a rescue vehicle during hurricanes as well as a vehicle that will be useful in extracting people from dangerous incidents as well as protecting personnel during incidents.

The MRAP program began in the U.S. military as a response to casualties from IEDs during the Iraq War. Start-ing in October 2013, local police and sheriff offices throughout the United States began assuming control of many Caiman 6x6 MTVs after the Iraq and Afghanistan wars ended. The MRAP is sold for only its transporta-tion costs to the local jurisdiction.

The Department of Homeland Security Rapid Response Teams used MRAPs to assist people affected by hurri-canes in 2012. The build of the MRAP lends it to be a high-water vehicle in storm situations like hurricanes.

To receive an armored vehicle, a requesting agency has to meet certain criteria, including justification for use (such as for shooting incidents, SWAT operations, and other emergency incidents), geographical area, and multi-jurisdiction use. Many law enforcement agencies use them in disaster relief roles, as they can go through flooded areas unlike normal police armored vehicles, and provide security to victims and LEOs in response to critical incidents.

Smith says that the security of the vehicle and capabilities for high-water rescue make it a very useful vehicle for the protection of our citizens in St. Mary Parish.

"This is one of those pieces of equipment that is so unique. You hope you never have to use it, yet if it is need-ed, the lives of citizens, as well as law enforcement officers, can certainly be saved."

The MRAP came with additional tires and was acquired for a state fee of $15,000. (Its approximate value is $733,000.) In the history of the SMPSO, there have been several times when this type of vehicle would have been a crucial piece of equipment that could have been used in rescue operations.

The Training Section of the SMPSO has already conducted several trainings with deputies to prepare for the driving and use of the vehicle in rescue operations.
.
The SMPSO is blessed to have several deputies who still actively serve with our military and have their ar-mored vehicle operator's certification.

A St. Mary deputy arrested an Amelia man suspected of vandalizing graves, Sheriff Blaise Smith said.
—Jorge Roberto Discua, 33, Amelia, was arrested at 1:30 p.m. Thursday on charges of theft, desecration of graves, simple criminal damage to property and human remains protection acts.
On Thursday morning, a deputy patrolling Amelia was conducting a check of the cemetery when he observed a suspect who appeared to be tampering with a grave. The deputy detained the suspect, later identified as Discua.
Through the investigation, Discua was linked to a previous incident that occurred in the early morning hours of Sept. 14 in which a suspect entered the Amelia Cemetery (St. Andrews Catholic Church cemetery) and vandal-ized or desecrated graves.

Discua was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail has been set at $54,500.

Smith also reported these arrests:
—Janell Davis, 41, Franklin, was arrested 10:51 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of theft. Davis was released on a summons to appear Feb. 23.
—Tyron Lamar Charles, 20, Baldwin, 11:24 a.m. Thursday on the charges of obstruction of driver’s view, condition of windshield, resisting an officer by flight, possession of marijuana and criminal trespass.
Charles was released on a $6,500 bond.

Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported these arrests:
—Tommie Joseph Chaisson, 39, Ceder Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:54 p.m. Thursday on charg-es of tail lamp, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of a uniform controlled dangerous substance law-drug free zone.
An officer observed a traffic violation in the area of Pine Street and Maple Street. The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Chaisson. During the traffic stop, a K-9 unit arrived to assist in the traffic stop.
K-9 Dally was deployed on the exterior of the vehicle. K-9 Dally gave an odor response for the presence of illegal narcotics in the vehicle.
During the investigation, Chaisson was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine and drug parapher-nalia in a posted drug-free zone. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Depart-ment for booking and incarceration.
—Nathaniel Albert Rollins, 24, Brashear Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:36 a.m. Thursday on charges of entering on or remaining in places after forbidden and possession of drug paraphernalia, and on a warrant for two counts of failure to appear to pay fines.

Officers were called to an address on La. 182 about Rollins trespassing on the property. Rollins was located on the property and placed under arrest. During the arrest, he was found in possession of suspected drug paraphernalia.
A warrant check revealed the City Court of Morgan City held active warrants for his arrest. He was transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Fereriel Urbana-Duarn, 46, Freret Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 4 p.m. Thursday on a charge of aggravated assault.

—Areana Lee Urbana, 29, Freret, St., Morgan City, was arrested at 4 p.m. Thursday on charges of simple battery and criminal mischief-filing false complaint.
Officers were called to the Freret Street address for an aggravated assault complaint. They learned Fereriel Urba-na-Duarn had assaulted the victim with a weapon. It was also learned Areana Lee Urbano committed a battery on the same victim.
During the investigation, she filed a complaint with officers alleging the victim had choked her. Officers located several witnesses verifying her allegations were false. They were placed under arrest and transported to the Mor-gan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Brandon Gaudet, 30, La. 37, Centerville, was arrested at 7 p.m. Thursday on a charge of driving under suepension.
An officer on patrol observed a traffic violation in the area of La. 182 and Martin Luther King Boulevard. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was identified as Gaudet.
A computer check revealed his driver's license was under suspension. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Johnathan Paul Myers, 27, Belanger Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:11 p.m. Thursday on a war-rant for simple burglary.

The warrant stems from an ongoing investigation filed with the Morgan City Police Department on Wednesday, when patrol officers discovered Myers had been in possession of a stolen generator.
On Thursday, detectives were able to develop evidence Myers had committed the burglary in which the generator was stolen, and was able to recover the stolen property. A warrant was subsequently obtained for his arrest and was booked for the new charge

Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:

--Shauntell Nicole Hartdegen, 37, St. Mary Street, Amelia, was arrested Thursday on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, resisting an officer, failure to appear on charges of driving under suspen-sion and careless operation, and failure to appear for flight from an officer.

An I.C.E. Unit deputy observed Hartdegen riding a bicycle on Elaine Street in Bayou L’Ourse
and was aware of outstanding warrants.

The deputy approached Hartdegen and as he did so, she began to run. Hartdegen was quickly apprehended.

Once detained, Hartdegen began to move around and deputies noticed a pouch she was attempting to conceal. Upon further investigation, deputies located a quantity of methamphetamine inside the pouch.

Hartdegen was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

—Dijonae Holloway, 24, Belle Point Lane, Napoleonville, was arrested on charges of public intimidation and telephone harassment.

In a related investigation, Bruce Fair Jr., 23, Thomas Street, Paincourtville, was charged with multiple recent drive-by shootings, resulting in his arrest.

Following Fair’s arrest, an individual, now identified as Holloway, made threatening calls toward the Sheriff’s Office if the investigation continued.

Detectives were able to identify Holloway as the suspected caller and took her into custody Thursday. Hol-loway acknowledged her responsibility in creating those phone calls.

Dijonae Holloway was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center with bond set at $1,000.

—Bruce Fair Jr., 23, Thomas Street, Paincourtville, was arrested Friday on charges of assault by drive-by shooting (three counts), aggravated criminal damage to property (three counts), illegal use of weapons or dan-gerous instrumentalities.

The arrest was in connection with a series of shootings targeting a specific home in the La. 1 area south of
of Paincourtville.

During October, multiple shootings of the residence occurred.

Detectives initiated an extensive investigation into the cases and subsequently identified Fair as a suspect.

Fair was arrested Oct. 30 following a traffic stop in Napoleonville, at which time he was charged on drug- and gun-related offenses.

Fair posted a $75,000 bond on those charges. However, the investigation into the drive-by shootings continued. After an extensive investigation, detectives secured arrest warrants Fair.
Fair was arrested at an apartment in Gonzales with the assistance of the Gonzales Police Department.

Fair was transferred to Assumption Parish on Friday at which time he was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

—Brandon Nelson, 33, Georgette Street, Napoleonville, was arrested Thursday on a charge of felony theft of a motor vehicle.

The theft occurred in January 2019. Deputies responded to a complaint from the victim and shortly thereafter, Brandon Nelson was identified as a suspect. It was further determined that Nelson allegedly sold the car without the owner’s consent.

In August 2020, detectives obtained arrest warrants for Nelson. On Thursday, Nelson was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention with bond set at $50,000.

—Warren Thomas, Jr., 55, La. 1008, Napoleonville, was arrested Thursday on a charge of simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling.

On Thursday, deputies responded to a complaint in Napoleonville of a burglary in the St. Mary Street area.

During the investigation, deputies were able to identify Thomas as a suspect.

Follow-up investigation resulted in the execution of a search warrant at Thomas’ home and the recovery of elec-tronics stolen in the burglary.

Thomas was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

Submitted Photo
Bayou Vista Knights of Columbus Council 6211 recently held its annual Tootsie Roll drive. Shown here making their donation to Bayou Vista Elementary’s Special Education Department are, from left: KC Grand Knight Paul Tholen, Principal Kiante Gunner, special education teacher Sherry LaJaunie and KC Treasurer Kenny Alfred. Monies will be used for supplies needed by students in Bayou Vista Elementary’s SPED Department.

DEAR ABBY: We are approaching the time of year when many people struggle with how to divide time between families during the holidays. This is often made harder when there has been divorce and remarriage within a family, especially when children are involved. This was the case in our family.
Planning dinners and celebrations became far easier once I realized that holidays are not just arbitrary dates on a calendar, but a spirit of heart and mind. I let everyone else plan their events, and then choose a day that as many people as possible are available.
I host an event on that day — a week earlier, a week (or month) later — it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that we gather in love and friendship and have a wonderful time.
As a result, even my former daughters-in-law readily join in with their new spouses and children and we have a ball! We get to blend together four generations, and our youngest generation is richer for the experience. We joke about having “in-law” and “out-law” tables.
I’ll be honest, it took work. The adults had to agree to act like adults, but I’m proud that everyone looks forward to coming to our holiday celebrations whenever they are held.
My advice to your readers: Forget the calendar and remember the reason for the gathering!
FOUND HOLIDAY SPIRIT

DEAR FOUND: I love your attitude, and couldn’t stop smiling after reading your letter.
Thank you so much for writing. I hope it will open the minds and hearts of other readers.

DEAR ABBY: I’m a 61-year-old man. When I was 40, I was told by my sister that Dad had confided that our mom — who had recently passed — had been married before. We were both floored that it was a secret all those years and that, with a family of 12 aunts and uncles and countless cousins, no one ever spilled the beans.
About a year ago, I asked an older cousin on Facebook why no one had ever mentioned it. He said his mom told him not to, AND that my oldest sister, also deceased, wasn’t my dad’s daughter. Dad is gone now, and I only have my cousin’s word to go by.
Almost all of the relatives are dead, and the only living uncle was younger than my mom. He’s in his 80s now and doesn’t remember anything like that.
I can’t help but wonder what other parts of my life were a “lie.” I have suffered from depression for years and this certainly doesn’t help. Any thoughts?
JUMBLED IN TEXAS

DEAR JUMBLED: I’m glad you asked because I do have some to offer.
None of the parts of your life have been a “lie.” Certain parts of your PARENTS’ lives were obfuscated, most likely because they weren’t proud of them.
In your parents’ generation, divorce was less common than it has been in more recent decades. But they are dead and gone now.
It is time to forgive them for their lapses and concentrate on your own life. A step in the right direction would be to schedule some time with a licensed psychotherapist to talk about your depression.
***
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.