On February 27, 2015, members of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit, the Louisiana State Police, and the FBI Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant of a residence in West Monroe.  As a result, John David Owen, age 28, of West Monroe was arrested.

The search warrant and arrest were the result of an investigation that determined the suspect had sexually charged communications with a minor child on a social media website. Owen has been booked in OCC on 1 count of Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor.

On February 27, 2015 at approximately 8:00 a.m.,  the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office was notified of a shooting incident in the 1100 block of Swartz Fairbanks Road.  Upon arrival at the scene, deputies found two victims with gunshot wounds.  Both victims have been transported to a Shreveport hospital for treatment of their injuries.  Both are listed in serious condition at this writing.

Investigation at the scene revealed the shooting was allegedly committed by Ivory Lee Mock, Jr., age 41.  The suspect had apparently left the area immediately following the incident.  A description of the suspect and his vehicle was obtained and distributed to area law enforcement personnel. Later this morning, the suspect was located in Richland Parish and taken into custody without incident.  Mock is currently being booked in OCC on 2 counts of Attempted Second Degree Murder.  Ouachita Parish Deputies also wish to give the Louisiana State Police and the Richland Parish Sheriff’s for their assistance.

The identity of the two victims is not being released at this time.

Ivory Lee Mock, Jr.

Early Monday morning, March 2, 2015, deputies responded to a burglar alarm at a business in northwestern Ouachita Parish.  As a result, Zebulon Paul Gentry, age 36, Rayville, LA, has been arrested and charged with 1 count of Simple Burglary.   Responding deputies observed a vehicle leaving the business location of the alarm as they arrived.  A traffic stop of the vehicle was executed at that point.  Items consisting of welding equipment, copper tubing and a meter base were observed in and around the vehicle.  Further investigation revealed these items had been taken by the suspect from the business a few minutes earlier.  All items that were stolen have been recovered.

Sheriff Russell is proud of the patrol deputies for their quick response and clearing the burglary with the arrest.

Zebulon Paul Gentry

As the result of an investigation of a missing person report filed March 2, 2015, Ouachita Parish Investigators have arrested four suspects on Second Degree Murder charges. 

Phillip A. Soignier, age 20, was reported missing to the sheriff’s office March 2^nd.  The subsequent investigation revealed Soignier was the apparent victim of a homicide several days earlier.  Robert B. Malanders, age 32, Sierra M. Collins, age 19, Stacie L. Shaw, age 33 and Jeffery D. Osborne, age 35 have been charged with one count of Second Degree Murder each and booked in OCC.

Sheriff’s Investigators would like to express their appreciation to the Metro Narcotics Unit and the OPSO Warrant Division for their assistance in the investigation.

The investigation is continuing.  If you have any information concerning the case you are asked to contact the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-329-1200.                                                                                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                        

Sierra M. Collins

Robert B. Malanders

Stacie L. Shaw

Jeffery D. Osborne

A local business was recently the victim of a computer ransom-ware scam.  The scam is a variation of the Crypto Wall scam, where the suspect infects the victim’s computer with a virus.  The virus then encrypts all of the victim’s files and forces the victim to pay money to get the encryption keys in order to decrypt the files again.  The scam also directs the victim to make payment in the form of untraceable money such as prepaid credit cards, money orders, or bit coins.  The scam is a real threat because the virus uses very strong encryption algorithm that cannot be cracked.  If you are a victim of this scam, it is recommended that you do not pay the ransom money as this only perpetuates the problem and there is no guarantee that the suspect will provide the encryption keys to unlock the files.

Sheriff Russell is advising the public and area businesses of this scam and offers several tips on ways you can prevent from becoming a victim.

1.       Do not open any emails or their attachments from anyone that you do not know.

2.      Make routine backups of your important data to another computer, external hard drive, or cloud based service.

3.      Keep your operating system and its programs up to date with all of the security patches.

4.      Install and routinely update your anti-virus software with the latest virus and malicious software definitions and enable live monitoring of your system.

5.      Set up automated daily scans of your system for threats.

Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported armed robbery March 14, 2015 at 10:30 p.m. in the Thomas Road area of West Monroe.  Investigation revealed the female victim was traveling in her vehicle and drove into an empty parking lot to tend to her two young children riding with her.  While standing outside her vehicle, the victim stated the suspect approached her and placed a gun to her back, demanding money.  The victim complied, giving the suspect money.  The suspect appeared to start to flee the scene at that point and the victim entered her car.  However, the suspect then entered the passenger side of the victim’s vehicle and again threatened her with the gun, telling her to drive him from the scene.  The victim complied with the demand, driving a short distance to a side street where the suspect exited the vehicle and fled the area on foot.  Neither the victim nor her children were injured in the incident.  Responding deputies searched the area but did not locate the suspect. The suspect is described as a white male, thin build, approximately 130-180 lbs., 5’5” to 5’-10” tall, with dark brown hair.   The suspect is also described as having a black with red colored flame tattoo on the left side of his neck and an abrasion on the upper left cheek area below his eye. A composite drawing is shown below based on information given by the victim.  If you have any information concerning this crime, please contact the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-329-1200.

Composite drawing of suspect

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce that Captain Jay Ellerman, a 26 year law enforcement veteran, has graduated from the 259^th session of the FBI’s National Academy Program in Quantico, VA.  Ellerman graduated on March 20^th after successfully completing 10 weeks of advanced investigative, management and fitness training. Ellerman was in a class of 220 officers from law enforcement agencies in 49 states, 24 international countries, 6 military organizations and 5 federal civilian organizations. The training instructors consist of FBI Academy staff, Special Agents and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise.

Sheriff Jay Russell, himself a graduate of the 211^th session of the FBI National Academy, knows firsthand the benefits of the FBI program.  “While the training offered by the Academy is recognized as most advanced available, the personal and professional contacts he made with officers from all over the world will prove to be very valuable during his career” said Sheriff Russell. The Sheriff continued, saying “Captain Ellerman will share his experiences and training with other members of our department that in turn will further enhance our ability to serve the citizens of Ouachita Parish.”

Captain Jay Ellerman

OPSO April Range Events

We have a lot of SPECIAL Events going on at the range in APRIL so mark your Calendars!

2^nd – 3^rd Thursday, Friday & Saturday –  Hunters Education Class – Thursday & Friday 6 – 9, Saturday 8 – 12

5^th Sunday – Easter – The Range will be CLOSED

8^th Wednesday – Range will be CLOSED for training.

11^th Saturday – Military Vintage Rifle Match – Cost $10.00 – Registration 7:45

17^th – 19^th Friday – Sunday –Louisiana Conservation Outdoor Days.  This event is going to have a little bit of something for everyone that shoots.  Archery – 5 Stand – 3 Gun Match.  See Attached Flyer.  If you are interested in shooting the 3 Gun Match we still have spots open.  We had to limit our shooters because of all the other Great events that will be going on here at the range.  There will also be some really fun Shotgun shooting events along with the 5 Stand – Wobble and Long Distance!  Come on out and Check out all the fun events!!!  See Attached Flyer.

25^th  Saturday – ULM Day – Range will be CLOSED.

If you have any questions about any of the upcoming events just give us a CALL – 410-2427

The OPSO Rifle Range will be hosting this event.  It will include all types of events for the entire family.

The Regions Archery Event will run from noon Friday through 3 p.m. Sunday.

The Amateur Archery Event will be open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Friday.  It will resume at 9 am. Through 3 p.m. Saturday.  The Championship Round will be at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

The 3 Gun Match will begin at 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. Saturday.

The Sporting Clays Event will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday through 5 p.m. Saturday.

The NASP kid’s demonstrations will run all day Saturday.

The amateur archery event is $10 for youth 17 and under, $20 for adults.
The Sporting Clay event is $10 per round shot.
The Regions Archery event is $50 for the two day event.

The Ouachita Parish Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force conducted street operations on April 3rd and 4th, 2015.  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 April 3-4, 2015

Arrests:

Warrant Arrests                                              35

Drug Arrests                                                   38

Other Felony or Misdemeanor  Arrests            5

Total Arrests:                                                78

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 

4 Marijuana cigarettes

35-1/8 oz. bags of marijuana

1-1/4 oz. bag of marijuana

4 ounces of marijuana

11 grams of marijuana

Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Heroin Ecstasy, PCP ect.

16 rocks of crack cocaine

5.7 grams of cocaine

1 gram methamphetamine

3 ounces PCP

Prescription Pills:

63 units of assorted prescription pills

Miscellaneous Seizures:

1 firearm

2 meth pipes

Agencies Participating:

4^th Judicial District Attorney’s Office                                               

Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office SCAT

Louisiana State Police

West Monroe Police Street Crimes Unit

ULM Police Department

As a result of an investigation of a theft of several items from a residential carport on New Natchitoches Road in West Monroe, Ouachita Sheriff’s Investigators have arrested Daniel B. White, age 42, of Monroe.   White is currently being held in OCC on two counts of Theft.  However, more charges are expected as he is believed to be involved in similar type thefts in the Wallace Dean & Green Road areas of West Monroe.  Items taken in the thefts included various types of lawn equipment, power tools and related items.  All known items taken have been recovered.

Daniel White

The OPSO Rifle Range will be hosting this event.  It will include all types of events for the entire family.

The Regions Archery Event will run from noon Friday through 3 p.m. Sunday.

The Amateur Archery Event will be open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Friday.  It will resume at 9 am. Through 3 p.m. Saturday.  The Championship Round will be at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

The 3 Gun Match will begin at 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. Saturday.

The Sporting Clays Event will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday through 5 p.m. Saturday.

The NASP kid’s demonstrations will run all day Saturday.

The amateur archery event is $10 for youth 17 and under, $20 for adults.
The Sporting Clay event is $10 per round shot.
The Regions Archery event is $50 for the two day event.

Click on the link below for information on the Regions event

https://youtu.be/meR-Fq3ptHo

Ouachita Sheriff’s Office Youth Cadet Academies 2015

Have you ever wondered…

• What is it like to attend a police academy?
• What is it like to be a Law Enforcement Officer?
• What are the laws in regard to firearms, arrest, search and seizure?
• What is a crime scene and how do you work it?
Through the use of a team of experienced instructors and speakers, Cadets will explore the various challenges law enforcement officers face each day.

WHAT IS IT?

The Cadet Academy is a one week summer program geared toward youth who are interested in law enforcement as a career choice. They are provided a working knowledge of all aspects of the daily operations of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office.

WHO ATTENDS?

Young people who reside and attend school in Ouachita Parish are invited to apply. The academies are for students who are mature and have an interest in law enforcement.

REQUIREMENTS

Youth interested in attending must be 10 to 13 years of age and should be physically fit enough to participate in daily physical training and defensive tactics.  Cadets must also be able to provide their own transportation to and from the Cadet Academy.

Location

Ouachita Parish Rifle Range

357 Sheriff Richard Fewell Road

West Monroe, LA  71292

Directions: I-20 to Well Road, go south on Well Road, turn right on New Natchitoches Road, left onto Trade Street, then right onto Sheriff Richard Fewell Road.

HOW CAN I APPLY?

You MUST be recommended by your school principal. Recommendation forms and applications will be made available to schools or you can print one by going onto our website www.OPSO.net. The forms are also available by clicking the link below. Classroom space will be limited to 20 cadets per session. Qualified applicants will be accepted on a first come first serve basis. Application from youth who have been placed in out-of-school suspension during the present school year will not be accepted. All applicants will be notified by OPSO.

Click the link below for the registration form and additional information:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B83Jz79NHytCYmJLS1p3MDlZQWc/view?usp=sharing

DATES (Class starts promptly at 8 a.m. and ends by 4 p.m.  Graduation is Friday at 5:30 p.m.)

• Session 1: June 8^th-12^th, 
• Session 2: July 6^th-10^th
• Session 3:  July 20^th-24^th

Ouachita Sheriff’s Office CSI: Forensic Workshop 2015

This two-day camp is designed for youth 14-18 years old who want hands-on experience with a crime scene investigation. Students will have the opportunity to work on a mock crime scene and use engaging activities to solve the crime. Activities will include but are not limited to forensic art, fingerprint analysis, footwear impressions, collecting and preserving evidence, and identifying bloodstains. This camp will allow students to work with professionals in the field, and get the full prospective of what being an investigator is really like.

Workshop Highlights

Forensic Art / Drawing the Face You Never See

Learn what it is like to be the witness to a crime and have to describe the suspect to an artist. Have the opportunity to try their hand at being the artist and compose a drawing from many different reference photographs.

Fingerprints / Hidden prints

Learn how to identify the different patterns in a fingerprint. Have hands on training on lifting fingerprints from evidence and to try to make a matching identification between fingerprints.

Footwear Impressions / Casting Ghosts

Learn to identify footwear impressions associated with a crime scene scenario. Learn to cast the impression and learn how to match and identify to what brand of shoe the impression was made from.

Forensic Evidence Collection / Preserving the Past

Collect and preserve articles of evidence associated with a crime scene. Students will be given a crime scene scenario and have to document, collect and report how the evidence is associated with the crime.

Bloodstain Patterns / Bloody Secrets

Learn how to identify different bloodstains and how they relate to the events of a crime scene. Learn the dynamics of blood in motion with hands on experimentation of creating bloodstains.

Location

Ouachita Parish Rifle Range

357 Sheriff Richard Fewell Road

West Monroe, LA 71292

Registration Process

To register, fill out the below registration form and return it to our office by May 15, 2015. Registration forms are available on the website, OPSO.net,  or by clicking the link below.  Form are  also available at each school and on ed-line.

Tuition

$25 Lunch and Snacks are provided.

Dates

June 18th and 19th (Class starts promptly at 8 a.m. and ends by 5 p.m.)

Click the link below for more information and the registration form:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B83Jz79NHytCVHMwYVdEaVpOMVU/view?usp=sharing

Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Teen Cadet Academy 2015

Have you ever wondered…

• What is it like to attend a police academy?
• What is it like to be a Law Enforcement Officer?
• What are the laws in regard to firearms, arrest, search and seizure?
• What is a crime scene and how do you work it?
Through the use of a team of experienced instructors and speakers, Cadets will explore the various challenges law enforcement officers face each day.

WHAT IS IT?

The Teen Cadet Academy is a one week summer program geared toward teens who are interested in law enforcement as a career choice. They are provided a working knowledge of all aspects of the daily operations of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office.

WHO ATTENDS?

Young people who reside and attend school in Ouachita Parish are invited to apply. The academy is for students who are mature and have an interest in law enforcement.

REQUIREMENTS

Teens interested in attending must be 14 to 18 years of age and should be physically fit enough to participate in daily physical training and defensive tactics.  Cadets must also be able to provide their own transportation to and from the Cadet Academy.

Location

Ouachita Parish Rifle Range

357 Sheriff Richard Fewell Road

West Monroe, LA 71292

HOW CAN I APPLY?

You MUST be recommended by your school principal. Recommendation forms and applications will be made available to schools or you can print one from the link below.  Forms are also available on our website, OPSO.net.  Classroom space will be limited to 20 cadets. Qualified applicants will be accepted on a first come first serve basis. Applications from teens that have been placed in out-of-school suspension during the present school year will not be accepted. All applicants will be notified by OPSO.

DATES

• June 22^nd-26^th   (Class starts promptly at 8 a.m. and ends by 4 p.m. Graduation is Friday at 5:30 p.m.)

Click the link below for more information and the registration form:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B83Jz79NHytCY2UxOFRwbm9DOUk/view?usp=sharing

On April 20, 2015, members of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office-Special Victims Unit arrested Kolby M. Black, age 27, of Monroe. The arrest stems from a search warrant in an ongoing child pornography investigation.  Black has been booked in OCC on 10 counts of Pornography Involving Juveniles and 1 count of Distribution of Pornography Involving Juveniles.

Kolby M. Black

Six members of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Corps recently attended a Regional Training Seminar in Branson, MO. The seminar was hosted and sanctioned by the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC), which is the certifying organization for all OPSO Chaplains. Courses of instruction included Death Notification, Stress Management, Ethics, Responding to Crisis Situations, and Officer Death/Injury. The chaplains who were in attendance included: Chaplain Don Banks, Chaplain Johnny Holyfield, Chaplain Jeff Luellen, Chaplain Andy Myrick, Chaplain Gregg Riley, and Chaplain Billy Taylor.

Among the attendees of the seminar was Sergeant Matthew Hill, who is currently assigned to the Uniformed Patrol Division. Though not a chaplain, he was asked by the ICPC to share some of his thoughts with those in attendance by teaching one of the elective courses. Sergeant Hill, who is the author of the recently released book, Blue Attitudes, spoke to the chaplains about how kindness, mercy, and forgiveness can be effective tools for police officers.

“As police officers, we are constantly surrounded by tragic and evil circumstances, and a byproduct of those circumstances is bitterness.  I wanted to give the chaplains a message, from a street cop’s perspective, which could be shared with the officers they serve,” says Sgt. Hill.  “It is my hope that police officers can learn not to hang onto bitterness, which is something that I have struggled with during my career.  We have to learn to let mercy and forgiveness be at the forefront of our minds and let God be our Guide.”

In addition to teaching one of the classes, Sergeant Hill led devotions on the last morning of the seminar. He shared his perspective from the time that OPSO lost one of their own, Cpl. J.R. Searcy, in the line of duty and how the chaplain corps provided comfort and support. “These guys are there when we need them and I wanted to give back by giving some encouragement to the chaplains at the seminar. I wanted them to know that they have a purpose and how important it is for them to continue to serve in their ministry.”

The Chaplain 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.

Ouachita Sheriff’s Investigators are investigating complaints involving suspects posing as asphalt contractors contacting Ouachita residents offering to pave driveways.  The suspects usually come to the residence, offer to do the work for a low price and ask for payment up front.  The suspects then apply very limited amounts of asphalt to the site then leave, taking the victims money.  Information received thus far indicates suspects are possibly white males, operating construction type trucks, red in color, with some type equipment attached.  At least two complaints have been received thus far.  Anyone that may have been contacted by these suspects or has any information on their identities or whereabouts is asked to contact the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office.

To avoid becoming a victim of a scam such as this one or anything similar, 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 work.

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.

MAY EVENTS

May 6, 7^th & 8^th -RANGE IS CLOSED Special Event

May 10^th is Mother’s Day!  Bring your MOM to the range on Mother’s Day!  Moms Get to Shoot FREE!  Your MOM called and said she wants a Range Membership and a Gift Certificate to a Concealed Carry Class.  You can come out Saturday May 9^th and pick it up

May 16^th & 17^{th   -} RANGE IS CLOSED for the State Archery Tournament

 May 23^rd -Concealed Carry Class – $100.00 – 8:00 – 5:00 Lunch is included.

 May 24^th – Sunday Morning Steel Challenge – $10.00 – 8:00 First Shot.

 Like us on Facebook!

 See you on the Line!!!

Sheriif Jay Russell Presents Scholarship to Mallory Anne Lynn

Sheriff Jay Russell announced that Mallory Anne Lynn of Ouachita Parish has been named the recipient of an academic scholarship from the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Scholarship Program for the 2014-2015 school year.  She resides in West Monroe and plans to attend LA Tech University.  She is the daughter of Connley Averitt.

The Sheriffs’ Scholarship is made possible by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Honorary Membership Program (LSHMP).  Louisiana Sheriffs provide scholarships to graduating high school students from each parish where the Sheriff is an affiliate of the Program.

Qualities such as academic achievement, leadership and character are considered in making selections of Sheriffs’ scholarship recipients.  The only limitations are that applicants be permanent residents of Louisiana; scholarships be utilized in higher education within the State; and students be enrolled as full-time, undergraduate students.  Scholarships will be awarded in sixty-three parishes throughout the state.

In closing Sheriff Russell said, “Academic awards by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Scholarship Program to Louisiana students demonstrate what the LSHMP is all about.  This is one of our finest accomplishments.  It invests in Louisiana’s future and gives something back to our community.  This would not be possible without the kind and generous support of Ouachita Parish’s Honorary Members.”