CRIME & SAFETY
St. Tammany man pleads guilty to wire fraud
ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. — A St. Tammany man pleaded guilty Nov. 9 for wire fraud. Clarence "Billy" Burkette, 55, admitted to illegally obtaining money from the town of Pearl River in connection with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance Program. FEMA provides grants for state, territorial, tribal,...
Weekly Safety Report: Mail Theft and Drug Smuggling Incidents Hit Slidell, Louisiana
In Slidell, Louisiana, two incidents occurred this week that pose potential safety concerns for the community. The first incident involves a man who participated in a national scam to steal mail, banking identities, and cash fraudulent checks. He has been sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison. The second incident involves a woman who allegedly smuggled fentanyl into a local jail, resulting in the death of an inmate. She is now facing murder charges.
Weekly Safety Report: Arrests Made in January 6 Breach and Death Penalty Sought in Covington Murders
Two incidents occurred in Covington, Louisiana this week. In the first incident, a father and son were arrested and charged with felony and misdemeanor counts in connection with their alleged involvement in the January 6 breach on Capitol Hill. The second incident involves the murder of a priest and a church worker, with the district attorney's office announcing their intention to seek the death penalty for the accused perpetrator.
Guilty Verdict in Slidell Child Indecency Case
The Slidell Child Indecency Case has reached its conclusion. Interim District Attorney Collin Sims announced the conviction of 35-year-old Samuel Juan Perry from Slidell for committing indecent acts with a child under the age of 13. The decision was reached on November 30, 2023, by District Judge Reginald Badeaux, III, after a 45-minute deliberation. The […] The post Guilty Verdict in Slidell Child Indecency Case appeared first on The Bogalusa Daily News.
Three Individuals Sentenced for Double Homicide Stemming from Robbery Attempt
Discover the latest developments in the 2018 double homicide case from Saint Tammany Parish. Three individuals have been sentenced for their roles in the crime, which involved a robbery attempt and two victims found shot in a submerged car.
4th defendant sentenced in killing of Terrytown National Guard member
Another member of the five-person crew charged with killing a Terrytown National Guard member during a robbery-gone-wrong pleaded guilty to his role in the homicide on Thursday, according to Jefferson Parish court records. Matthew Smith, 22, of Covington, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and conspiracy to commit armed robbery for the...
1993 St. Tammany John Doe Identified as Joseph Lee Muniz
Muniz was last heard from in 1993; his siblings helped identify him. On October 29th, 1993, two squirrel hunters making their way through a wooded area just off I-59 in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, close to the Mississippi border, made a discovery that would haunt them forever. As the hunters moved through the area, they came across the skeletal remains of an adult male. While the remains had been there for some time, the hunters recognized one thing for sure: a bullet lodged in the back of the skull. The hunters made their way to their vehicles and called for the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Man critically injured in crash with suspected drunken officer speaks out for first time
FOLSOM, La. (WVUE) - Seth Klaare is breaking his silence on a harrowing head-on collision involving a former officer accused of driving drunk and a state trooper who has since resigned. The 23-year-old was initially deemed at fault by police when the crash happened over the Easter weekend until his...
Weekly Safety Report: Guilty Verdict, Airborne Vehicle, and Inmate Death Raise Concerns in Slidell, Louisiana
This week in Slidell, Louisiana, several incidents occurred that raised concerns for public safety. A man was found guilty of multiple charges, including possession of fentanyl and illegal possession of weapons. Another incident involved a vehicle that went airborne and landed on top of a flatbed trailer and a pickup truck. Lastly, a female inmate died in her cell at the Slidell City Jail, with an autopsy pending to determine the cause of death. These incidents highlight the need for continued vigilance and safety measures in the community.
Mother accused of kidnapping son from Deville arrested in St. Tammany Parish
A 12-year-old boy kidnapped by his non-custodial mother has been found safe, according to the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office. The boy was taken from a home on Billy Rush Road in Deville on Sunday. Responding deputies were told Jenny Lynn Moran did not have parental rights to her son. An...
Whistleblower Retaliation Rocks St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office
The St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office is mired in controversy following the dismissal of two employees who voiced concerns over a 'toxic' workplace environment. Dr. Christopher Tape, the incoming coroner, and Morgan Bossier, an autopsy technician, reported witnessing a supervisor mockingly observe a grieving family via surveillance. The supervisor, Citlalic 'Lali' Snell, was promoted soon after the incident, while Tape and Bossier were fired, prompting questions about the office's commitment to ethical conduct and transparency.
Madisonville man sentenced to 30 years on second degree battery conviction
COVINGTON – The District Attorney’s Office reports that on November 15, 2023, District Judge John Keller sentenced Bryan Paul Rucker, 43, of Madisonville, on his second-degree battery conviction. In September of 2023, it took a jury 45 minutes to find him guilty as charged. Judge Keller found Rucker to be a repeat offender and sentenced him to 30 years in prison. Rucker’s prior convictions include burglaries, domestic violence, drug offenses and physical opposition to law enforcement officers.