Bogalusa Police Department & ATF Arrest Suspected Gang Members

The Bogalusa Police Department, with assistance from the ATF New Orleans Field Division, today (September 25, 2019) announced that four suspected gang members were arrested in a series of raids around Bogalusa, as part of a coordinated execution of multiple search and arrest warrants by an ATF Special Response Team (SRT) and officers from the BPD.

Arrested were Billy Porter, Derrick Mark, Christopher Harris, Jonzarrion Harris, and Trevion Harris. A fifth suspect, already in custody in the Washington Parish Jail on unrelated state charges, is also being charged today in connection with this operation. A sixth suspected gang member, Demariquiez Harris (pictured at right), is wanted on federal and state charges, and a search for him is underway.  All are from Bogalusa.

During the early morning raids, ATF New Orleans gents seized a handgun, ammunition, marijuana, and ecstasy.

The arrests came as part of a joint federal-local law enforcement action targeting the Snatcha street gang after authorities on Monday, September 23, 2019 released federal indictments that charged six suspects with narcotics and firearms offenses.

The Snatcha gang reportedly has about a dozen members or associates controlling a large section of the southern portion of the City of Bogalusa to distribute illegal narcotics, conduct armed robberies and burglaries, and sell stolen firearms to commit violent crimes. 2019 has been especially dangerous for the citizens of Bogalusa, as members of the Snatcha Gang carried out multiple crimes, and some gang members are suspects in several shootings over the past several months.

Bogalusa Police Chief Kendall A. Bullen stated in a press release that the men are part of the "Snatcha Gang", that has been an ongoing problem to the City of Bogalusa over the past several years. Two of the suspects are reportedly convicted felons, career criminals, and one has already served 20 years in prison for murder.

"Over the past year, the Bogalusa Police Department has developed an outstanding working relationship with the ATF," stated Chief Bullen. "The assistance of the ATF has been a difference maker in fighting crime in the City, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to make Bogalusa safer. Investigations of this nature will continue."

Special agents from ATF New Orleans Field Division provided substantial support in the investigation since November 2018. Since that time, ATF agents recovered 15 illegal firearms, cocaine, and more than one kilo of methamphetamine.

The Bogalusa Police Department and the ATF are continuing this investigation.