On December 15th, 2014, Ouachita Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a large group fighting on Cotton Bayou Drive in Monroe. Investigation revealed someone had discharged a weapon during the incident. Two injured parties later came to a local hospital for treatment. One had a blunt trauma head injury and one suffered a gunshot wound. Subsequent investigation identified the alleged suspect in the incident as Monterrius Jonterrius Russell, age 18, of Monroe. An arrest warrant was issued for the suspect Russell on the charges of 1 count Attempted Second Degree Murder and 1 count of Aggravated Battery. The Ouachita Sheriff’s Warrant Division, assisted by Lincoln Parish authorities, located the suspect today in Lincoln Parish and arrested him. The suspect is currently being held at OCC on the charges.
Monterrius Jonterrius Russell
Sheriff Jay Russell announces the Ouachita Sheriff’s Office Deputies Making a Change Mentor Program will be implementing a new program working with local youth. The program, Community Strong Initiative (CSI), is an evidence based initiative comprised of committed deputy sheriffs working together to answer community based questions. The goal is to educate, facilitate and inform the youth of today on law enforcement interaction. Through this concentrated effort, deputies hope to create an awareness level that will decrease violence and increase safety. Public perception of law enforcement officers is often that as overly aggressive or somewhat passive when dealing with certain situations. The public may feel that demographics or levels of income dictate the outcome of most situations. One of the objectives of the program will be to improve the understanding the public has of law enforcement. 
At approximately 4 p.m. Monday, December 29
Resulting from the investigation of a prior armed robbery and attempted second degree murder in Ouachita Parish on Dec. 29
On January 7, 2015, Ouachita Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a reported armed robbery at a residence on Jennifer Lane in Monroe. Investigation at the scene indicated two armed suspects, one armed with a pry bar and the other indicating he was armed with a handgun, entered the residence proceeded to rob four occupants. Taken in the robbery was $180.00 cash, a flat screen TV and a Sony Play Station 4. The two suspects then fled on foot. 
While on duty during the early morning of January 12, 2015, Deputy Ken Russ, Jr. and his K-9 partner, Tomec, observed a suspect break a window and enter a business in the Town and Country area of Monroe. As the suspect exited the business with stolen merchandise, Dy. Russ identified himself and ordered the suspect to stop. The suspect attempted to flee the scene on foot. K-9 Tomec apprehended the suspect after a brief pursuit. The suspect was identified as Jaccory Trashaw Carr, age 17, of Monroe. Carr was booked at OCC on 1 ct. of Burglary, 1 ct. of Resisting Arrest and 1 ct. of Battery on a Police Dog. The investigation is continuing and more charges are possible.
During the annual City of Monroe Martin Luther King Birthday Celebration, the Nashall Harris Humanitarian Award was presented to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office DMAC Program. The award is given annually to individuals or organizations recognized as showing unselfish concern and commitment to the well being of others. DMAC, (Deputies Making a Change), is comprised of deputies that work as a mentoring group with the youth in Ouachita Parish. Sheriff Russell and members of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office are proud of the work performed by the deputies and appreciate the recognition by the City of Monroe.
On February 9, 2015 Ouachita Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a reported armed robbery on Burg Jones Lane in Monroe. The robbery victim stated to deputies that while she was sitting in her parked car, a young male subject approached her and advised the tail light was damaged on her vehicle. She then exited the vehicle to check the damage and was confronted by two male subjects, one armed with a board and the other a black colored hand gun. The victim further stated the suspect with the board struck her with it several times while the suspect armed with the gun pointed it at her. During the assault, one of the suspects went into her vehicle and stole a large amount of cash from the console. Both suspects then fled on foot and were not located by deputies searching the area at that time.
Two distinct issues affect jails nationwide: recidivism and contraband. Recidivism costs taxpayers who have to house inmates who have already been through the criminal justice system, in many cases, several times before. Contraband, such as illegal drugs, transforms a normally controlled environment into an unstable one, causing safety issues for guards and inmates alike.