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Mar 26, 2009 - A St. Bernard Parish man was arrested Wednesday evening, March 25, after a daylong spree of burglarizing two houses, selling stolen items at a pawn shop and a scrap metal yard and trespassing at a Chalmette scrapyard where he was caught, Sheriff Jack Stephens said. Stolen items were found in the vehicle of Patrick Vaughn, 28, 1713 Todd Drive, Poydras area, when he was arrested after he was seen trespassing in a junkyard on East Liberaux Street in Chalmette about 5:15 p.m.

Sheriff’s detectives and patrol deputies who made the arrest said they believed Vaughn was trying to steal a radiator from the scrapyard to sell as scrap metal. Items identified as stolen in two Chalmette house burglaries that day, including a pressure washer and saws, were spotted in Vaughn’s vehicle as he was being questioned at the scrapyard where he was arrested. Later, investigators recovered items allegedly sold by Vaughn after taking them in burglaries on Congressman Hebert Drive and on Rosetta Drive. Rolls of wire were sold to a scrap metal dealer in Chalmette and other items were sold to a pawnshop. At one of the burglary scenes, a witness saw a man, allegedly Vaughn, running from a rear yard and get into a parked car.

Sheriff’s Stephens said Vaughn’s alleged crime spree was apparently fueled by narcotics. Vaughn was booked with two counts of burglary, two counts of possession of stolen property worth more than $500 and with criminal trespassing. He is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bond set at $50,000.

Mar 26, 2009 - St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Det. Capt. Mark Jackson, a veteran supervisor in the Detective Bureau who also spent a year in Iraq training police officers, has been named to attend the prestigious FBI National Academy at Quantico, Va., starting in April.

The program is an 11-week course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders, available only through invitation and a nomination process, and geared to enhance personal and professional development. State and local police, sheriffs' offices, military police and federal law enforcement agents attend the academy, whose classes are drawn from every state and some 150 nations. The first academy class was held in July 1935, with 23 students.

“I feel honored and I’m looking forward to it because it’s a great opportunity to enhance my training at a prestigious academy and meet numerous officers from many other departments,’’ said Jackson, a native of St. Bernard Parish and an 18-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office. “This will help me in my job here.’’

Jackson has handled numerous investigations of murders and other serious offenses in his career, becoming a detective after working in the sheriff’s patrol division. He is a supervisor in the Detective Bureau and is also a member of the sheriff’s SWAT team.

Jackson is the 14th member of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office to be appointed to the FBI National Academy under Sheriff Jack Stephens’ 24-year tenure.

Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann, who has also attended the FBI National Academy, described Jackson as “a worthy candidate for the Academy.’’

“Mark is one of our top investigators and has a history of being involved in solving murders, burglaries and other crimes,’’ Pohlmann said. “His appointment is a credit to our department.’’

One of the most unusual aspects of Jackson’s law enforcement career was the one-year term he spent in Iraq from 2004-05, returning just before the hurricane, in which he trained upward of 500 Iraqi police officers through a program of the U.S. State Department.

“I worked with officers from throughout the United States,’’ and was part of a team of police involved in security for the first national election held in Iraq, Jackson said. “I learned things from other officers that helped my police work here.’’

Looking back, “I think it was well worth it’’ to his career to have taken part in the training mission there, Jackson said.’’

On a sad note, several of the Iraqi police officers he helped train were murdered in the ongoing war. “They were brave guys,’’ Jackson said, people who were willing to work in situations in which police stations were being attacked and officers frequently had to wear civilian clothes to and from work, dressing in uniforms after they got to work, because of the chance of being targeted along the way.

Jackson said a police station he was assigned to came under direct attack at one point. “We had a gun battle before we could secure the area.’’

But he said there has been “tremendous progress in security’’ since his time in Iraq.

Mar 24, 2009 - Two St. Bernard Parish residents have been booked with burglary of a Meraux home in which five rifles, including an AK-47 and M-14, and a television set were stolen and recovered, Sheriff Jack Stephens said.

Bobby Walters, 17, 1216 Aycock St., Arabi, and Michael Brodmyer, 22, 2716 Plaza Drive, Chalmette, were arrested Monday, March 23, and booked with burglary in connection with a break-in that happened Saturday, March 21. Brodmyer is being held in lieu of bond set at $27,500 and Walters is being held in lieu of $25,000 bond. Hunting rifles as well as semi-automatic rifles were stolen.

Walters had taken part in helping the victim move into a Meraux residence through his acquaintance with a relative of the man. According to Sheriff Stephens, when the victim was away from the home he was moving into, Walters and Brodmyer burglarized the residence and were in the process of trying to sell the weapons when hey were arrested. Walters confessed to the burglary, and the stolen items were found in a search of Brodmyer’s home.

Mar 24, 2009 - A Chalmette man was booked Monday night, March 23, with negligent homicide in the possible drug overdose death of his grandchild’s father, failing to call authorities when the victim went into respiratory distress involving heroin, St. Bernard Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said. Instead, Timothy Johnson, 48, 3422 Jackson Blvd, put the victim in a car, drove to a nearby street and parked by a vacant lot before walking home, leaving the man to die in the backseat.

Ryan Eisler, 31, of Madisonville, was found dead Sunday morning in his 2005 Suzuki Forenza in the 3500 block of Pakenham Drive, around the corner from Johnson’s residence. A man cutting grass that morning saw the body in the vehicle.

Johnson, who is being held without bond in St. Bernard Parish Prison, is on 3-year probation for a past conviction and apparently didn’t call for medical help because he was afraid he would get in trouble. “Instead of rendering help the arrested subject callously let the other man die by placing him in a vehicle and disassociating himself from the situation,’’ Pohlmann said.

Eisler, father of a grandchild of Johnson, had gone to Johnson’s residence Saturday night and had allegedly been using heroin, authorities said. An autopsy found the death was consistent with a drug overdose, but toxicology tests are pending. When Eisler went into respiratory distress in Johnson’s home, instead of calling for help Johnson took him to Eisler’s vehicle and drove it around the corner and parked it, leaving on its flashers, before walking home. Negligent homicide, a felony with a maximum five-year sentence, is committed when someone dies because of criminal negligence and disregard for their welfare.

	S.O. Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann is named Cimestoppers’ Law Enforcement Officer of Year.

Mar 22, 2009 - St. Bernard Parish Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann, second in command to Sheriff Jack Stephens, has been named by the Crimestoppers organization as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for St. Bernard. The award was given by Darlene Cusanza, executive director of the non-profit Crimestoppers group, at its 24th annual awards luncheon on Wednesday, March 18, attended by 600 people at the Riverside Hilton in New Orleans.

The group is known for posting rewards in criminal cases throughout the New Orleans metropolitan area as an incentive for those with information to anonymously report tips, which are passed along to the appropriate law enforcement agency in parishes, cities and at the federal level. Crimestoppers rotates its Law Enforcement Officer of the Year awards among the agencies it deals with.

“I’m honored to be recognized by an organization such as Crimestoppers, which has done so much for law enforcement in our area over the years by providing rewards for information which has resulted in the solving of numerous crimes, including some in St. Bernard Parish,’’ Pohlmann said.  “The award I received is a reflection of the job the men and women of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office do on a daily basis,’’ Pohlmann said.

Pohlmann, Chief Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Stephens for more than a year, has over 25 years experience in law enforcement in the parish and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.  

Cusanza said Pohlmann was chosen for Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by a committee of the Crimestoppers board. “We look for individuals who have worked with Crimestoppers and who have made significant accomplishments in law enforcement in their own departments,’’ Cusanza said. "Chief Pohlmann," she said, “has a long history of working with Crimestoppers, serving as the group’s direct liaison with the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office’’, where tips received about crimes are passed on to him. “Chief Pohlmann has been recognized for his outstanding leadership during one of our most tragic times, especially in St. Bernard after the hurricane,’’ Cusanza said. “It is due to his outstanding investigative skills that Crimestoppers has been successful in closing many cases for St. Bernard, including St. Bernard’s first murder after the hurricane.’’

Sheriff Stephens said Chief Deputy Sheriff Pohlmann is an excellent choice for the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award. “Jimmy has worked for the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office for more than 25 years and was here even before I became sheriff,’’ Stephens said. “He has moved up the ranks over the years by doing a good job as an officer.  “Chief Pohlmann knows St. Bernard police work inside and out and is personable with people he comes in contact with. He is certainly an integral part of what we do here and enhances our reputation as a solid law enforcement agency,’’ Sheriff Stephens said.

Mar 20, 2009 - A man released from jail in St. Bernard Parish only three days earlier on a sentence for burglary was booked Friday with carjacking of a pizza delivery vehicle in Chalmette after sheriff’s detectives caught him in eastern New Orleans, Sheriff Jack Stephens said.

Richard Ford, 49, released Tuesday after serving about a year on a burglary charge in St. Bernard, allegedly grabbed a pizza delivery woman on Pakenham Drive in Chalmette and demanded the keys to her vehicle about 2 p.m. The woman, who was frightened but not physically harmed, complied and Ford drove away and made it to eastern New Orleans.  There was some $40 in pizza delivery receipts in the vehicle when it was taken, authorities said.

St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s deputies and detectives responded and the missing vehicle, with Ford driving, was spotted about 2:50 p.m. by Det. Paul Miller, who stopped the suspect in a supermarket parking lot in the 9700 block of Chef Menteur Highway.  When Ford was arrested there was about $15 left in cash in the stolen vehicle after the suspect allegedly bought a large beer and other items. 

New Orleans police allowed the suspect to be taken directly back to St. Bernard Parish after the victim identified Ford as taking her keys and vehicle, said St. Bernard Chief of Detectives Col. John Doran. Ford was booked with carjacking and is being held without bond.

Phillip Barbarin, center, 32, of Gretna, who was booked with unauthorized use of vehicle taken from the SDT waste collection business in Chalmette, is escorted from the St. Bernard sheriff's detective offices to be brought to jail after his arrest on Wednesday, March 18. At left is Lt. Donald Sixkiller, behind the suspect is Det. Capt. Mark Jackson and to the right is Det. Maj. Robert McNab. Steve Cannizaro Photo

Mar 19, 2009 - An ex-employee of SDT waste collection surrendered Wednesday night, March 18, on a warrant charging him with unauthorized use of a vehicle taken from the Chalmette company on March 14 and used to dump waste into a Lower 9th Ward storm drain in New Orleans, Sheriff Jack Stephens said. Philip Barbarin, 32, 1645 Carol Sue Ave., Gretna, surrendered after his lawyer was informed a judge had signed an arrest warrant on the felony charge.

The suspect hasn’t been booked with the actual dumping of the waste. An investigation is continuing into whether others were involved in the taking of the pump truck. Barbarin, who denied involvement when interviewed by sheriff’s detectives after his arrest, is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of a $75,000 bond set in his case by state District Judge Jacques Sanborn on Thursday, March 19.

Barbarin had been questioned by sheriff’s detectives and released early March 18 but later in the day a warrant was obtained for his arrest. He became a suspect when he was linked to a cell phone number given to a local television station by someone who tried to sell a copy of a video of the dumping incident, Sheriff Stephens and Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said in interviews with the media. Also, they said at least one current employee of SDT said they recognized Barbarin on a surveillance video at the company yard taken when the truck was stolen and returned.

“It’s apparent it was a set-up and points to a conspiracy to make SDT owner Sidney Torres IV and his company look bad in an effort to affect his business’ reputation,'' Sheriff Stephens said. The pump truck was taken at SDT on Saturday night, March 14, and was returned to the business in Chalmette less than an hour later, the sheriff said.

The dumping of the waste product into a drain at the corner of Alabo and North Johnson streets in New Orleans “is a serious offense,’’ punishable under federal laws, the sheriff said. Federal authorities and officials from the state Department of Environmental Quality, who are investigating the dumping, have been briefed on the St. Bernard investigation.

There are indications more than one person was involved in the incident, including someone who videotaped the dumping, Sheriff Stephens said. The investigation is continuing.

Torres, before the arrest, called the dumping an act of a saboteur and said ex-employees could be involved. His own security cameras, he said, showed the truck was taken from the company's Chalmette location when the business was closed.  Torres added that a satellite-monitoring system in the truck showed it stopped at the corner of Alabo and North Johnson streets, where the dumping happened. SDT video surveillance shows another car picking up the driver after he dropped off the waste truck at SDT after the dumping, Torres said.
 

	Phillip Barbarin, 32, of Gretna, wanted on warrant charging him with unauthorized use of a vehicle taken from the SDT waste collection company in Chalmette and used in illegal dumping of waste material in New Orleans

Phillip Barbarin, 32, 1645 Carol Sue Ave., Gretna, who sheriff’s deputies began looking for after the arrest warrant was issued, is being sought on the felony charge. The warrant doesn’t cover the actual dumping of the waste. An investigation is continuing into whether others were involved in the taking of a pump truck.

Barbarin, who had been questioned by sheriff’s detectives and released early Wednesday, became a suspect when he was allegedly tied to a cell phone number given to a local television station when someone tried to sell a copy of a video of the dumping incident, Sheriff Stephens said. Stephens said the inquiry into the unusual events showed “it’s apparent it was a set-up’’ and points to a conspiracy to make SDT owner Sidney Torres IV and his company look bad in an effort to affect his business’ reputation.

The pump truck was taken at SDT on Saturday night, March 14, and was returned to the business in Chalmette less than an hour later. The dumping of the waste product into a drain at the corner of Alabo and North Johnson streets in New Orleans “is a serious offense,’’ punishable under federal laws, the sheriff said. Federal authorities have been briefed on the St. Bernard investigation.

There are indications more than one person was involved in the incident, including someone who videotaped the dumping, Sheriff Stephens said.

Torres, before the arrest, called the dumping an act of a saboteur and said ex-employees could be involved. His own security cameras, he said, showed the truck was taken from the company's Chalmette location when the business was closed.  Torres added that a satellite-monitoring system in the truck showed it stopped at the corner of Alabo and North Johnson streets, where the dumping happened. SDT video surveillance shows another car picking up the driver after he dropped off the waste truck at SDT after the dumping, Torres said. He said no company employees were working at the time of the incident.

New Orleans authorities and the state Department of Environmental Quality are investigating the dumping.

Mar 18, 2009 - A suspect has been questioned and an investigation is continuing in the apparent attempted “set-up’’ of sanitation executive Sidney Torres IV  involving the taking of a truck at his Chalmette company and the videotaping of waste being dumped into a Lower 9th Ward storm drain in New Orleans on March 14, Sheriff Jack Stephens said.

No arrest has been made but a suspect in the taking of the truck was questioned overnight Tuesday, March 17.  The man, whose name isn’t being released, was located using a cell phone number given to a local television station when someone tried to sell a copy of the video.  St. Bernard sheriff’s detectives will meet later Wednesday with state and federal officials about the dumping incident.

Sheriff Stephens said the inquiry into the unusual events has shown “it’s apparent it was a set-up’’ and points to a conspiracy to make Torres and his company, SDT, look bad in an effort to affect his and his business’ reputation. Torres is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

A suction truck was taken at SDT on Saturday night, March 14, and was returned to the business in Chalmette less than an hour later. The taking of the truck would be considered unauthorized use of a moveable, which is a felony.  The dumping of the waste product into a drain at the corner of Alabo and North Johnson streets in New Orleans “is a serious offense,’’ punishable under federal laws. There are indications that more than one person was involved in the incident, including someone who videotaped the dumping.

Torres called the dumping an act of a saboteur: His own security cameras, he said, showed the truck was taken from the company's Chalmette location when the business was closed. He added that a satellite-monitoring system in the truck showed it stopped at the corner of Alabo and North Johnson streets, where the dumping happened. SDT video surveillance shows another car picking up the driver after he dropped off the waste truck at SDT after the dumping. He said no company employees were working at the time of the incident.

New Orleans authorities and the state Department of Environmental Quality are investigating the dumping.

Mar 17, 2009 - St. Bernard Parish Sheriff Jack Stephens said “everything points to a set-up’’ in the case of the taking of a truck at the Chalmette company of sanitation executive Sidney Torres IV and the videotaping of waste being dumped from the vehicle into a Lower 9th Ward storm drain in New Orleans on Saturday night, March 14.

After initial inquiry into the unusual events “it becomes apparent it was a set-up’’ and points to a conspiracy to make Torres and his company, SDT, look bad in an effort to affect his and his business’ reputation, Sheriff Stephens said.

Torres is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

No arrests have been made but an investigation is continuing into the use of the suction truck, which was returned to the SDT business in Chalmette less than an hour later. The taking of the truck would be considered unauthorized use of a moveable, which is a felony, Sheriff Stephens said.

The dumping of the waste product into a drain at the corner of Alabo and North Johnson streets in New Orleans “is a serious offense,’’ punishable under federal laws, the sheriff said.

There are indications that more than one person was involved in the incident, including someone who videotaped the dumping, Sheriff Stephens said.

Peter Ruiz, 83, of Arabi

St. Bernard Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann, left, and Chief of Detectives Col. John Doran talk with the news media at the scene of the murder of Peter Ruiz, in the victim’s backyard. Steve Cannizaro Photo.

Mar 13, 2009 - It is St. Bernard Parish’s only unsolved murder since before the hurricane and sheriff’s investigators are putting renewed emphasis on the January 2008 beating death of Peter Ruiz, 83, of Arabi, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Ruiz was killed with a piece of 2-by-4 lumber in his backyard and sheriff’s detectives have found evidence of DNA believed to be from the murderer and have interviewed some of the people with whom the victim associated.  Authorities haven’t been ale to match the DNA to anyone in existing DNA databases and want to try to jog the memory of anyone who may have known Ruiz or saw him and can provide names of people he may have dealt with.

“We’re hoping someone may know something,’’ Pohlmann said.  “Anyone with information about this brutal murder or knows anyone Mr. Ruiz associated with, please call the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.’’ Tips to Crimestoppers that result in a conviction may be eligible for a reward up to $2,500.

Ruiz, who had just moved into his renovated home at 408 Sable Drive from a FEMA trailer in his driveway, also had lived in a tent city set up on the road to the Port of St. Bernard in Chalmette immediately after the hurricane. He befriended several people there and was known to associate with some of them until just before he was killed. Authorities would like to know more about this part of Ruiz’ life. 

His body was found behind his house the night of Jan. 13, 2008, after relatives reported him missing, Pohlmann said. It’s believed he was killed a day or two earlier.

Besides the lethal injuries to his head, Ruiz also had wounds that were post-mortem.  The victim may have known his attacker, St. Bernard Chief of Detectives Col. John Doran said.  “He wasn’t an ordinary 83-year-old,’’ Doran said. “He wore a ponytail and he was a colorful man who knew a lot of people.’’

The motive could have been robbery or something else, Doran said. Ruiz sold cars from his home and was known for dealing in cash, he said. But Doran also said, “The nature of the attack may mean it was something more personal.’’

It isn’t known if Ruiz was behind his home because he confronted someone he heard or saw there.

It has been confirmed that DNA material found on the murder weapon and on Ruiz’s clothing match but the DNA hasn’t been matched to anyone in existing DNA databases.

Ruiz lived alone in the house he had inherited from a sister.

A former security guard and cab-driver, Ruiz had moved into the house from a Federal Emergency Management Agency trailer in the driveway a few days before his body was discovered.

A relative of Ruiz now lives in the home.

Victoria Landix, 49, of Marrero, booked with possession of 26 dosages of heroin, worth $500, with intent to distribute
Henry Catania, 22, of Chalmette, booked with possession of marijuana and narcotic pills with intent to distribute

Mar 11, 2009 - Sheriff’s deputies seized 26 dosages of heroin worth more than $500, about five ounces of marijuana worth $500 and more than 50 narcotics pills worth about $250 in two separate traffic stops of motorists early in the morning on Tuesday, March 10, Sheriff Jack Stephens said.

The sheriff complimented patrol deputies for their attentiveness in noticing traffic violations and their thoroughness in finding the narcotics in the two instances.

Victoria M. Landix, 49, of Marrero may have been delivering heroin to someone in St. Bernard Parish when she was stopped about 3:30 a.m. on East Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette by Sheriff’s Deputy Shane Lulei, who while on patrol noticed her strike the median several times, Sheriff Stephens said.

Landix was arrested after a check of the motorist’s record found she had a suspended driver’s license. When stopped, she had an open container of alcoholic beverage on the front seat.

The deputy also observed in the back seat an opened white envelope, with two small clear plastic baggies with 26 individually wrapped pieces of foil and $185 in cash, the sheriff said.

Inside one baggie was 17 pieces of foil each containing an off-white powder substance and in the other were nine pieces of foil containing a similar substance. The powder later testing positive for the presence of heroin, Sheriff Stephens said.

Landix, booked with possession of heroin with intent to distribute, is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bond set at $30,000.

On the same day, Henry V. Catania, 22, 2217 Gallo Drive, Chalmette, was booked with possession with five  ounces of marijuana with intent to distribute and with possession of 54 tablets of the painkiller Vicodin with intent to distribute after he was stopped for traffic violations in Chalmette about 2:45 a.m. by Sheriff’s Deputy Lance Kramer.

There was a strong aroma of burned marijuana emitting from Catania when he was stopped, the sheriff said.

A one-gallon ziplock bag containing vegetable matter that tested positive for marijuana was found in the vehicle, along with a digital scale and a bottle containing Vicodin, Sheriff Stephens said.

The sheriff’s Special Investigations Division had earlier in the evening received a tip that a subject might be bringing marijuana into St. Bernard, the sheriff said, and the information was passed along to the Patrol Division, which ended up making the arrest.

Catania is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bond set at $35,000.

Mar 8, 2009 - Like St. Bernard homes, businesses and residents, the Sheriff’s Office was heavily affected by the hurricane but has bounced back to form with a strong commitment to protecting the parish, members of the first post-storm class of the Citizens Police Academy was told on opening night, Wednesday, March 4.

“We are maintaining the level of security we had before,’’ Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann told more than 40 St. residents who attended the first night of a free 8-week program.

The classes are meant to open lines of communications between the community and Sheriff’s Office. The program of lectures and hands-on demonstrations are held at Nunez Community College.

“You will get an intimate look at the Sheriff’s Office,’’ Pohlmann promised the group, which included some who said they wanted to learn more law enforcement. There also some who previously attended a Citizens Police Academy before the storm.

“I think you will say, ‘Wow, I didn’t know the Sheriff’s Office was that sophisticated,’’’ Pohlmann said, adding a whole array of new equipment has been added since the storm – backed by a mix of veteran and well-trained new sheriff’s deputies.

“We have a good, competent department you can e proud of,’’ Pohlmann said, adding the Sheriff’s Office has made the transition from being decimated by Hurricane Katrina to bouncing back with the same commitment to protect the parish.

Salaries for deputies have been increased to retain good people as well as recruit necessary new ones, he said.

While there have been increases in such crimes as theft of copper from homes, a crime that virtually didn’t exist before the hurricane, armed robberies are rare – with especially few reports of individuals being robbed – and response time to calls for assistance is still excellent, Pohlmann said.

Maj. Mark Poche addressed the class about the Sheriff’s Patrol Division, saying it is the group of deputies that normally first comes in contact with the public because they respond to calls of emergency or for other assistance.

Training is a top priority, Poche said, adding, “No one hits the streets until they have been to the (police training) academy.’’

The department has added new deputies since the storm, Poche said, but “We have good sergeants and lieutenants in place to help the young guys.’’

Sheriff’s Director of Crime Prevention Capt. Charles Borchers is coordinating the Citizens Police Academy, along with Capt. Marty Melerine of the Crime Prevention Division.

Borchers said crime prevention improves when residents feel they have a good relationship with police and know they can report suspicious activity and an officer will come to investigate.

There will likely be another Citizens Police Academy in the fall or next Spring, Borchers said, adding he can be reached at (504) 278-7628.

New in the Citizens Police Academy course are boating safety tips, hands-on use of equipment including a firearms simulator that has citizens decide whether they would use a weapon in certain situations, as well as a SWAT Team demonstration, said Borchers. There is also a review of operations of the Sheriff’s Narcotics, Detective, Juvenile, Street Crimes, Marine, Patrol and Traffic divisions.

Mar 5, 2009 - A New Orleans area man arrested in Arabi with $2,000 worth of heroin and crack cocaine has been named the prime suspect in a 2006 murder in Arkansas in which the victim was shot 23 times, Sheriff Jack Stephens said.

Shedric Williams, 32, who gave his address as 1643 Egania St., was arrested the night of Feb. 27 allegedly delivering more than one-quarter ounce of heroin, as well as crack cocaine and marijuana – with a total value of about $2,000 – at a location in Arabi.  Williams was arrested by agents of the sheriff’s Special Investigations Division commanded by Col. Chad Clark. 

Arkansas authorities, who have been to St. Bernard to question Williams in Parish Prison, said he is the prime suspect in a murder in  Searcy City, Ark., in which a man was shot 23 times over an alleged drug deal.  Williams allegedly has been identified in Arkansas from photo lineups shown to witnesses and his DNA was allegedly recovered at the murder scene, the sheriff said. No formal charge has been filed in Arkansas. Police detectives from Arkansas have been trying to locate Shedric Williams since shortly after the murder.

Joseph Bienemy, 29, of the New Orleans area, was arrested about two years ago and is serving a prison sentence in Arkansas as an accomplice to the same murder, authorities have said.

Williams was driving a vehicle with several passengers when confronted by SID agents in Arabi the night of Feb. 27 and damaged two sheriff’s vehicles while trying to bust his way free. He was booked with attempted murder of three sheriff’s deputies he nearly ran over while trying to flee. Williams is being held without bond in St. Bernard Parish Prison.

As well as the attempted murder of police officers, his charges include possession with intent to distribute 7.7 grams of heroin and 1.3 grams of crack cocaine as well as a small amount of marijuana. He was also booked with aggravated flight from officers, possession of narcotics in the presence of a juvenile who was a passenger in his vehicle and with criminal damage to the sheriff’s vehicles.

Arrested with him were two New Orleans women also booked with heroin, crack cocaine and marijuana charges, as well as with possession of narcotics in the presence of a juvenile and with resisting an officer.

Cindy Cole, 28, 4023 Prentiss St., New Orleans, was released from jail on bond of $47,000, and Jeanne Anderson, 28, 2739 Dumaine St., was released on bond of $32,500.

Mar 5, 2009 - About five ounces of marijuana worth about $500 was seized and three New Orleans men were arrested during a traffic stop in Arabi on Tuesday, March 3, Sheriff Jack Stephens said. The driver, Willie Mackey IV, 26, 1810 Alabo St., was stopped in the 6700 block of West St. Bernard Highway in Arabi after he failed to use his turn signal and wasn’t wearing a seat belt.

Cpl. Brandon Licciardi of the sheriff’s Special Investigations Division, commanded by Col. Chad Clark, made the traffic stop and smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the three men who were asked to exit the vehicle.  Mackey said his driver's license was in the car and when the sheriff’s deputy went back to the vehicle, he observed two 9mm magazines on the floor board of the passenger side but no guns.

Brandon said the subjects claimed they didn’t have any guns and agreed to a search, which led to finding in the trunk a bag containing about 5 ounces of material that tested positive for marijuana. The estimated value was about $100 per ounce.

Mackey and passengers Herbert Celius, 22, 5839 Melrose St., and Darryl Welche, 28, 1827 Bienville St., were all booked with possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Mackey was also cited for the traffic offense and all three were cited for not wearing seat belts. Welche is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of $22,500 bond; Celius is being held in lieu of bond of $18,000 and Mackey has been released from jail on bond. The amount of bond wasn’t available.

Mar 3, 2009 - John R. Lane Sr., former 18-year member of the St. Bernard Parish School Board and its President for 16 years as well as a former Sheriff’s Office administrator, died Friday, Feb. 27, at a hospital in Houston, from complications of a lung ailment. He was 70.

Lane presided over the School Board in the 1970s and 1980s as the school system moved into modern times and dealt with numerous issues including ending the controversial “packet system’’ of education, working on teacher’s pay matters and with creating before-school and after-school programs for students.

Before his start at the Sheriff's Office in 1988, Lane had served 18 years on the School Board, 16 of those as board President.

Lane was a close associate of St. Bernard Sheriff Jack Stephens, serving as director of administrative services for 13 years until he retired in 2001, citing health concerns. He still served as the sheriff’s campaign fundraising chairman in the 2003 election and continued to prepare finance reports through Sheriff Stephens’ re-election in 2007.

“He was a dedicated public servant,’’ Sheriff Stephens said of Lane. “He was well-liked and respected, and will be missed by those in education and law enforcement circles.’’

His wife, JoAnn Lane, oversees the civil division of the St. Bernard Sheriff's Office. His brothers are Louisiana 4th Circuit Court of Appeal Judge David Gorbaty and Parish Attorney Michael Gorbaty.

Lane was also the former owner of Barrister's Bar and Grill, a popular Chalmette restaurant which didn’t reopen after the hurricane.

Lane, as a young man, served in the Navy.

Funeral services are at St. Bernard Memorial Funeral Home, 701 Virtue St., Chalmette. Visitation will be held from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 5. Interment will follow in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens.

George R. Jefferson, 32, at right, of New Orleans, is put into a police car by St. Bernard Sheriff's Det. Steve Imbraguglio, left, and his brother, New Orleans Police Sgt. Kevin Imbraguglio, after Jefferson was arrested on Monday, March 3

Mar 2, 2009 - St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s detectives solved five burglaries and a theft with one arrest and then led New Orleans police to a man who was allegedly trading heroin for stolen St. Bernard property including guns and computers that were recovered, Sheriff Jack Stephens said.

St. Bernard Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said the arrests, which concluded Monday, March 2, had several benefits for the parish.

Pohlmann said, “It removed a burglar from our streets, helped New Orleans police arrest a man who was selling or trading heroin to several St. Bernard residents and also led to recoverery of  property stolen in St. Bernard.’’

George R. Jefferson, 32, 1319 Lamanche St., New Orleans, was arrested when New Orleans police, aided by the information from St. Bernard sheriff’s detectives, served a search warrant at his home on March 2.

Pohlmann said a quantity of heroin, two semiautomatic rifles, a shotgun, two handguns, more than $900 in cash and a computer, including several items stolen in St. Bernard Parish burglaries in recent weeks, was seized in Jefferson’s home. “Jefferson was trading dope for guns and other stolen items,’’ as well as selling drugs. 

New Orleans police booked Jefferson with possession of stolen property, on heroin and marijuana charges and with being a convicted felon illegally possessing firearms.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s detectives, commanded by Col. John Doran, arrested Mario Picolo, 21, of Chalmette in connection with five burglaries and a theft, Pohlmann said. Picolo is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bond set at $47,500. Further investigation established a link to Jefferson as the “fence’’ allegedly buying stolen goods from several St. Bernard burglaries.

Sheriff’s detectives set up surveillance on Jefferson’s home before a search warrant was obtained in New Orleans by NOPD and stopped several residents of St. Bernard Parish who had gone to Jefferson’s home to allegedly purchase heroin, Pohlmann said.

March 2, 2009 - A St. Bernard Parish man was killed in an unusual accident Sunday night, March 1, when he was driving home a 4-wheel all-terrain vehicle without lights and was struck from behind by a pickup truck driven by his girlfriend, who apparently didn’t know he was in the roadway ahead of her, Sheriff Jack Stephens said.

Thomas Houck, 49, who resided on Heights Drive in St. Bernard community, died in the 7:45 p.m. accident in the 3100 block of Bayou Road in eastern St. Bernard.  He was pronounced dead at University Hospital in New Orleans. Verna Defes Simmons, 49, who lives on Gnell Drive in eastern St. Bernard, was driving a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck that struck the all-terrain vehicle, authorities said. The sheriff said the incident is under investigation and it is unclear if the all-terrain vehicle had broken down before it was struck.

Toxicology tests are now pending on both Houck and Simmons, which is standard in fatality accidents, authorities said. No charges have been filed.

Three passengers were in the truck that was registered to Simmons, Sheriff Stephens said, and they said she didn’t know Houck was in the road ahead.

Simmons and Houck had been together earlier in the day but he had walked to pick up the all-terrain vehicle and take it home, the sheriff said. It’s illegal to drive such off-road vehicles on state or parish roads.