Missing Person Investigation in Hammond Leads to Arrests for Alcohol Sales to Underage Persons at The Brown Door Bar

On the morning of August 8, 2025, the Hammond Police Department began investigating a potential missing person incident, after clothing and personal effects were located on a sidewalk along East Charles Street and North Holly Street. The items belonged to Richard Clementi, 18 years old of Slidell. Clementi was quickly located asleep in the sanctuary of the First Christian Church, located on East Charles Street. 

Clementi stated to HPD detectives that he had gone out with friends to The Brown Door Bar, located at 124 North Cate Street, the previous night and that he had been able to purchase alcohol directly from bar staff. Detectives followed up on Clementi’s statement and executed a search warrant at The Brown Door, where they located video footage from the previous night. While reviewing the video footage, detectives observed a large number of sales of alcohol to persons apparently under 21 years of age throughout the night. Further investigation confirmed a total of 116 sales of alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age within a three-hour time span. Detectives also observed bar staff failing to notify management or security while persons under 21 years of age consumed alcoholic beverages directly in front of them.

As a result of the investigation, the following arrests were made:

• Bartender Sydney Elise Mitchell, 20 years old of Gulfport, Mississippi, was arrested and charged with 115 counts of LRS 14:93.11 – Unlawful sales to persons under twenty-one, as well as 1 count of LRS 14:105 – Letting a disorderly place.
• Bartender Michael Samuel Cuccia, 22 years old of Mandeville, was arrested and charged with 1 count of LRS 14:93.11 – Unlawful sales to persons under twenty-one, as well as 1 count of LA RS 14:105 – Letting a disorderly place.
• Tristan Michael Stravinsky, 21 years old of Slidell, was arrested for 10 counts of LRS 14:93.13 – Unlawful purchase of alcoholic beverages for persons under 21; video footage showed Stravinsky purchasing alcoholic beverages for others under the age of 21.

Owner of The Brown Door, Patrick Lynn Broussard, 57 years old of Port Allen, was issued a misdemeanor summons for LRS 14:105 – Letting a disorderly place.

Richard Kale Clementi, 18 years old of Slidell, was issued a misdemeanor summons for LRS 14:93.12 – Unlawful purchase and public possession of alcoholic beverages for persons under 21.

HPD additionally notified the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) of this investigation; additional administrative action is possible.

The Hammond Police Department reminds everyone that the minimum legal age to purchase and responsibly consume alcohol is 21 years old.  In the coming weeks and months, HPD will have additional officers assigned downtown and will be taking aggressive enforcement actions against bars and other establishments that sell alcohol to persons under 21 years of age, as well as against patrons who consume alcohol under the age of 21.

***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***