A joint investigation of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Monroe Police Department has resulted in the arrest of Michael L. Butler, age 26, of Monroe.  On September 11^th, Ouachita Sheriff’s Investigators and Monroe Police Detectives executed a search warrant on Georgia Street in Monroe.  The subsequent search recovered property reported stolen in thefts in Ouachita Parish and property reported stolen in thefts and burglaries in the cities of both Monroe and West Monroe.  The recovered items included Stihl yard equipment, tools, a handgun, two motorcycles and an ATV.  The suspect, Butler, a convicted felon, was at the location and found to be in possession of the handgun.  Butler was booked in OCC on 3 cts. of Possession of Stolen Property and 1 ct. Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.  The investigation is continuing and more charges are expected.

Michael L. Butler

Recovered Stolen Items

Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office Major Mike Moore, Uniform Patrol Division Commander,  and Reserve Deputy Blake Mashaw, Asst. Commander of the OPSO Reserve Unit, met with the local Ouachita Sail and Power Squadron during the Squadron’s monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 16^th, 2014.   Major Moore and Dy. Mashaw had been invited to discuss the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office river patrol.  Major Moore discussed in detail the focus of the OPSO river patrol and various situations that have been encountered.  Dy. Mashaw discussed the operation of the patrol boat and the equipment onboard.  The meeting also included discussion concerning the various safe boating courses offered by the Ouachita Sail and Power Squadron and the benefit of the courses to those navigating local waterways.   The Ouachita Parish Squadron was chartered in 1970.  The unit offers a wide variety of boating courses covering all aspects of safe boating.  Several of the courses offered are listed in the flyer illustrated.  Contact information is included should you be interested in enrolling in any of the courses offered.

Ouachita Sheriff’s Investigators are looking for Gregory F. Hobson.   A Fourth Judicial District warrant for Violation of a Protective Order has been issued for Hobson, no bond. He is described as a black male, 6-3” tall and 280 lbs.  Hobson is from Jackson, MS but was seen in the southern Ouachita Parish area earlier today. He was last seen driving a 1999 Cadillac, cream colored, with unknown Mississippi license plates.  Anyone with any information concerning the whereabouts of Hobson is asked to contact the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office @ 318-329-1200.

Gregory F. Hobson

The Northeast Louisiana Board of Realtors invited members of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office  to speak at their  September 25th monthly meeting on  the topic of Safety Practices for Realtors.  This particular topic is one of the many areas the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office has deputies trained to instruct. Approximately 75 members of the board attended the meeting.   Lieutenant Ricky Bacle and Major Mike Moore discussed safe practices and procedures the individual realtors can set up with their companies to help insure their safety while conducting house showings.  Sergeant Chris Jerkins discussed various self defense techniques a person can use to defend themselves  should a situation develop and the confrontation become physical.

Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office has several deputies trained to discuss and instruct  groups on a wide variety of topics.  Should you be interested in setting something up for your group, contact Lt. Bacle @ 318-410-2421 or the Administration section of the Ouachita Sheriff’s Office @ 318-324-2550.

Ouachita Sheriff’s Investigators are investigating a business burglary on Old Sterlington Road in east Ouachita Parish that occurred on September 24, 2014.  Surveillance photos indicate the suspect is an unidentified Black Male, light complexioned, with a beard.  Suspect at the time was wearing a light colored shirt, dark pants and a light colored cap.  The suspect vehicle appears to be a late model Ford F-150, 4X4 crew cab truck, dark in color, with body damage on right side front and rear doors.  License information is unknown at this time. Three Goodyear commercial type large truck tires mounted on white wheels were taken, along with an Ingersoll-Rand impact wrench.  The tires are described as Goodyear 6399, A LHS, 295/75R x 22.5.  The same type commercial truck tires have also been taken from the business in the past.  The photo below is a surveillance photo of the suspect and the vehicle described.  Anyone with any information regarding the identity of the suspect is asked to contact the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office @ 318-329-1200.

Suspect & Suspect Vehicle

Members of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Chaplain Corps met with Sheriff Jay Russell and members of his staff recently to recognize their 20^th anniversary.

The Chaplain Corps began under the administration of Sheriff Laymon Godwin in 1994. Chief Deputy Richard Fewell felt there was a need for a ministry program to be available for deputies and their families. Rev. Andy Myric, Rev. Martin and Rev. Jeff Luellen were the original first 3 chaplains commissioned by Sheriff Godwin.  Both Rev. Myrick and Rev. Luellen have served with the group since the beginning and are current members. Sheriff Russell presented them with a plaque recognizing their service to the Corps and the community.  The Corps has been active since the inception in 1994 and has grown under the administration of Sheriff Jay Russell.  Sheriff Russell recognizes the importance of the program and the positive impact it has on the Department and the citizens of Ouachita parish.

The Chaplains serve many roles for the Sheriff’s Office.  While the primary responsibility has always been and is still the role of counselors for the deputies, they also are involved in funeral services, hospital visitation programs, OCC ministry, and other duties. Each year, the group receives specialized training offered by the International Conference of Police Chaplains, in addition to training normally offered to deputies.

Currently, the Corps has 10 Chaplains.  One is a full time employee at OCC and oversees the inmate ministry program.  The remaining nine chaplains serve on a volunteer basis. Six of the nine are church pastors in Ouachita Parish; the other three are active in community ministry. 

Current members are:

Sr. Chaplain – Rev. Jeff Luellen

Departmental Chaplains – Rev. Danny Chance, Rev. Johnny Holyfield, Rev. Gregg Riley, Rev. Gary Sapp and Rev. Billy Taylor

Ministry Chaplains – Rev. Charles Stevenson, Rev. Andy Myrick and Rev. Don Banks

OCC – Rev. Felix Ross

Rev. Andy Myrick, Sheriff Jay Russell and Rev. Jeff Luellen

Resulting from an investigation by the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit, John E. Burrell, age 62, of Monroe has been arrested on the charges of 1 ct. of Theft of Assets of an Aged or Disabled Person and 1 ct. of Simple Criminal Damage to Property.  The investigation stemmed from complaints filed with the Sheriff’s Office of the suspect scamming victims while performing handyman type repair work.  The suspect was booked in OCC on the charges.

Due to the recent storm damages suffered by many residents of Ouachita Parish, Sheriff Russell would like to remind citizens to be cautious with hiring individuals to do handyman type jobs.  Sheriff Russell recommends that you check that an individual or company is:

1.      Licensed, insured and bonded.

2.      Ask for a detailed written quote for the cost of labor and materials.

3.      Get at least 3 bids for the job.

4.      Be extra cautious of unsolicited contact with individuals wanting to do repairs or other services.

For more information on consumer protection or to report contractor fraud visit the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office website: http://www.ag.state.la.us/Shared/ViewDoc.aspx?Type=2&Doc=209.

John E. Burrell

The Ouachita Parish Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force conducted street operations on October 16, 17 and 18, 2014.  All areas of Ouachita Parish were targeted.  The Task force is comprised of sheriff’s deputies, police officers and the 4^th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

 Ouachita Parish Multi-jurisdictional Task Force

Statistics for October 16, 17 and 18, 2014

Arrests:

Warrant Arrests                                              34

Drug Arrests                                                   34

DWI                                                                  1

Other Arrests                                                    2

 Total Arrests:                                               71

Knock & Talks                                                 5

Citations                                                         76

Drug Seizures:

Seizures reflect one or more arrests with exceptions of ¼ oz. or 1/8 oz. bags of Marijuana and Marijuana cigarettes in which totals for the month are combined.

Marijuana                                                         6.5 oz. of Marijuana

                                                                         One (1) ¼ oz. bag of Marijuana

                                                                         Eighteen (18) 1/8 oz. bags of Marijuana

                                                                         Three (3) Marijuana cigarettes

Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Heroine

Ecstasy, PCP                                                    6.5 grams of Methamphetamine

                                                                         One (1) oz. of Methamphetamine

                                                                         One (1) oz. of PCP

                                                                         One (1) oz. of PCP Cigarettes

Prescription Pills                                             Thirty-two (32) units of prescription pills

Miscellaneous Seizures:

Seven (7) firearms

Cash $896.00

Agencies Participating:

4^th Judicial District Attorney’s Office

Monroe Police Dept.                                     ULM Police Dept.

West Monroe Police Dept.                           Sterlington Police Dept.

Louisiana State Police                                   Louisiana Dept. of Public Safety

Metro Narcotics                                             Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office (SCAT)

On October 23, 2014, Ouachita Deputies responded to a report of a house being damaged by gunshots on Deloach St. in Monroe.  Investigation revealed several suspects had been at the location and discharged a firearm, striking the residence. The suspects then left the location but stated to the victim they would return, while also displaying a weapon.   Based on information given by the victim, the suspect vehicle was located.  Two unidentified suspects at this time fled on foot; however three suspects were arrested and taken into custody.  Two of the suspects arrested are juveniles.  Both were placed in Green Oaks detention center on the charge of Aggravated Assault.  The third suspect, Joshua Lewis, age 18 of Monroe, was arrested and booked in OCC on the charges of Aggravated Assault and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile.  The investigation is continuing.

Joshua Lewis

An investigation of vehicle burglaries in the Eastwood Estates Subdivision area in Monroe has resulted in clearance of several of the burglaries and the recovery of merchandise.  Tyler Beach, age 22, of Monroe has been arrested and booked at OCC on 13 cts. of Vehicle Burglary. 

Some of the stolen property has been recovered.  The investigation is ongoing and possibly more vehicle  burglary related charges will be added.

Tyler Beach

Recovered Items

 UPDATE:  ARREST MADE IN ROBBERY CASE

Based on information received at the scene, a traffic stop was executed on a vehicle matching a possible suspect vehicle near the area of the robbery.  Subsequent investigation of the robbery  has resulted in the arrest of Byron McCoy, age 34, of West Monroe.  McCoy is currently being booked at OCC on the charges of 1st Degree Robbery, Simple Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  No other arrests are expected at this time.

Sheriff Russell is proud of the hard work by the deputies that brought quick closure to the case.

At approximately 1030 hrs. this morning, Ouachita Parish Sheriffs Deputies responded to a reported armed robbery of the Centric Federal Credit Union, 2353 Arkansas Road, West Monroe.  Investigation revealed an unidentified subject had entered the credit union and demanded money.  The suspect did not reveal a weapon nor indicate he was armed but had his hands concealed.  The suspect was described wearing a dark hood type jacket, dark pants and light colored gloves, no other description available at this time. The suspect then fled the building on foot with an undetermined amount of cash. No injuries are reported.

The area was searched however the suspect was not immediately located. Sheriff’s Investigators are currently conducting the investigation based upon information received at the crime scene.

Byron McCoy

Sheriff Jay Russell has issued a warning of a phone scam to Ouachita Parish residents.   The Ouachita Sheriff’s Office has received complaints of residents receiving a phone call from someone identifying themselves as working for Entergy Disconnect.  The caller is contacting the resident to advise them they owe a past due bill for meter upgrades in the amount of $495.00 or a close figure to that amount.  The caller then advises the resident they can pay immediately over the phone by using a credit card or they can go to an address in the area to pay in person.  However, the addresses given are not valid.   Entergy is aware of the activity and confirmed they are not contacting customers nor would they do so in this manner. 

Sheriff Russell reminds residents to never give out credit card or other personal information to unsolicited calls received of this nature as they are scams.  Should you receive a call of this type or similar, you are asked to contact the Ouachita Parish Sheriffs Investigative Division at 318-329-1200.

Each year, the Bayou Kennel Club in Monroe hosts the Cottonland Cluster Dog Show.  Dogs from all parts of the country, plus Mexico and Canada, come to the show to compete.  This year, one-hundred, twenty-three dogs competed.  Proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the K-9 Division of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office to help with the costs of operating the K-9 Unit. 

Bayou Kennel Club President Jeanne Marcovitz presents the check to Sheriff Russell

A Public Service Reminder from Sheriff Jay Russell and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Department SCAT team has once again begun the annual “Santa Claus Patrol”.  This unique patrol involves members of this unit wearing plain clothes and driving unmarked vehicles to frequent retail stores and parking lots that are busy with holiday shoppers.  The SCAT Team deputies patrol the parking lots of the retail outlets and also enter the store and move about with customers, watching for suspicious activity, such as potential shoplifters, robbers and other criminal activity.  The special patrol begins after Thanksgiving and continues through the Christmas-New Year’s Holiday Season.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for assistance in the continuing investigation into the 1986 homicides of Jerry Dorrell Honeycutt and Michelle King Stegall. During the early morning hours of July 8^th, 1986, Lincoln Parish deputies responded to a trailer park on Hwy 35 in reference to a male that was severely wounded. Deputies discovered that Jerry Dorrell Honeycutt, 21, of Shreveport had been shot. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he died.

At 8:50 am on the same day, Ouachita Parish deputies responded to a gravel pit off Downey Pines Road in West Monroe in reference to a vehicle fire. Deputies discovered the dead body of Michelle King Stegall, 19, of Shreveport inside the smoldering vehicle. Stegall had also been shot.

Evidence in this case indicates that Honeycutt and Stegall were close friends and lived in the same apartment complex on Colquitt Road in Shreveport. They were last seen together in Shreveport prior to their deaths in Honeycutt’s black 1977 Ford pickup truck.

Anyone with information on this crime is encouraged to call the OPSO Criminal Investigative Division at 318-324-2663, the Lincoln Parish Crimestoppers at 318-255-1111 or Crimestoppers of Ouachita at 318-388-2274(CASH).

Darlene Michelle King Stegall

Jerry Dorrell Honeycutt

Ouachita Sheriff’s investigators are currently investigating an apparent phone scam concerning jury duty.  Ouachita residents have reported receiving a phone call from a person identifying themselves as a Deputy Harris.  The caller goes on to state that a member of the household called failed to appear in court as summoned.  The caller then advises a warrant has been issued and someone must send in a voucher to pay the fine or the party listed will be arrested. 

This is a phone scam, one of many similar throughout the country.  The information given to the receiving party is completely false.  The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office does not contact residents in any manner such as this asking for cash or vouchers.  Should you receive a call of this or a similar nature, please contact the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-329-1200.

Sheriff Jay Russell warns of another scam that is targeting potential victims via mail.  A recent scam involves parish residents receiving a letter that appears official but has a fake U.S. Department of Treasury heading.  It is signed using the name Jacob “Jack” Lew, Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

The letter states the Secretary, along with the World Bank and United Nations, selects 20 people each year to receive $500,000 due to being previously scammed in some fashion.  The letter advises the recipient they have been selected as one of the twenty recipients for this year.  The letter then asks for wire transfer information for your account so the money can be wired and your onetime payment of $150.00 for processing the claim.

Again, this is a scam.  All the information is fictitious.  Sheriff Russell reminds everyone to never give out your personal account information or other personal information to letters or phone calls such as this.  Should you receive any letters or phone calls of this nature, report them to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-329-1200 or your local law enforcement agency.

In January, 1993, Sam Rainwater began his career at the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office after serving over 20 years as an educator in Ouachita Parish.  Deputy Rainwater was assigned to the Identification Section.  During his career with OPSO, Sam attended many training seminars and enhanced his knowledge in the evidence collection field, later being assigned to the OPSO Crime Scene Investigation Unit. Sam was considered very knowledgeable in his field of work and received many letters of commendation. Cpl. Rainwater retired from the OPSO in 2009 after completing 16 years of service. He was very well respected by his peers and will be missed by his many friends and co-workers.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce Deputy Michael Todd McLain has been selected as Deputy of the Year for 2014.  Deputy McLain is a seven year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office and currently assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division.  Deputy McLain was selected by OPSO supervisors based on his dedication to his job and the degree of professionalism exhibited by him.  Dy. McLain has received numerous letters of commendation during his career.  In recognition of his selection, Dy. McLain received the Deputy of the Year Award at the West Monroe Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet on December 8^th, 2014.

Sheriff Jay Russell and Deputies of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office are proud of Dy. McLain and the recognition of his efforts.

Deputy Todd McLain