23-Year-Old Covington Woman Gets 25 Years for Role in 2023 Lacombe Murder

District Attorney Collin Sims reports that on April 1, 2026, 23-year-old Megan Ayanna Coleman of Covington, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before the Honorable Judge Vincent J. Lobello for her role in the December 2023 shooting death of 23-year-old Juwarren Martin to manslaughter and obstruction of justice. Following her plea, Judge Lobello sentenced Coleman to 25 years of imprisonment at hard labor.

Click here for previous related stories

The charges stem from a fatal encounter on the evening of December 26, 2023. Earlier that day, Coleman had been involved in a physical altercation with the victim’s sister at a tobacco store in Abita Springs. Seeking revenge, Coleman drove her co-defendant, Marrio Haynes, Jr., to a gas station in Lacombe, where they located Juwarren Martin.

As Coleman waited in the vehicle, Haynes exited armed with an AR-15-style rifle and fired a single fatal shot into Martin’s torso from behind. Coleman then acted as the getaway driver, picking Haynes up a short distance away and later harboring him as he attempted to evade capture by law enforcement.

The case was a result of an extensive investigation led by Sergeant Hayden Folse of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Coleman’s guilty plea follows the January 2026 conviction of Marrio Haynes, Jr., who was sentenced in February to life in prison plus an additional 60 years.

The sentencing was marked by emotional testimony from the victim's family. A family member, speaking on behalf of the grieving relatives, addressed Coleman directly about the void left by Martin’s death.

“Our life changed December 26th,” the family member stated. “I’m not up here to belittle Megan. Juwarren is the victim here - and we all know that. One decision changed her life. You cannot compare the loss of life to someone going to prison. Every year on Christmas we recall our last day we spent with JuJu. We lost somebody...somebody we loved...cared for. All it took was one instance. My only hope is that you understand what has been done and learn from it. The only person that can throw that away is you.”

In handing down the sentence, Judge Lobello reflected on the avoidable nature of the crime, stating, “It’s sad and tragic all the way around. It’s the perfect illustration of how one or a couple of quick bad decisions can change so many lives.”

"Today’s plea and sentencing bring a final chapter of accountability to a senseless tragedy that claimed a young life," DA Sims said. "While Megan Coleman did not pull the trigger, her active participation - driving the shooter to the scene and facilitating his escape - was essential to this crime. Our community has no tolerance for those who help orchestrate violence. We hope this result provides the family of Juwarren Martin with further closure and peace."

Assistant District Attorneys Tiffany Dover and Shelby Stoop prosecuted the case. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Marrio Haynes, Jr. - Caught in Kentwood - Gets Life Plus 60 Years Sentence for 2023 Lacombe Ambush Murder

District Attorney Collin Sims reports that on Monday, February 2, 2026, 27-year-old Marrio Haynes, Jr. of Covington, Louisiana was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 60 years following his conviction for the 2023 murder of 23-year-old Juwarren Martin. The sentencing took place in Division J before the Honorable Vincent J. Lobello.

Click here for previous related stories

In a packed courtroom, Judge Lobello handed down the following sentences:

• Second Degree Murder – Life imprisonment at hard labor without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.

• Obstruction of Justice – 40 years at hard labor.

• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Felonies – 20 years at hard labor.

Judge Lobello ordered the sentences for Counts 2 and 3 to run consecutively to the life sentence, effectively totaling Life plus 60 years. During the proceedings, Judge Lobello addressed Haynes directly, stating, “You have zero remorse for what you did. It was the most cowardly act that I’ve seen.”

The sentencing was marked by emotional testimony from the family of Juwarren Martin. One family member spoke to the lasting void left by the defendant’s actions, noting that Martin’s son must now grow up without a father. “You’re a coward,” the family member told the defendant. “Your life had potential and you threw that away – nobody else but you.” Another family member also addressed the court, expressing her disdain for the defendant’s lack of sympathy throughout the trial. Haynes declined to make a statement before the court.

The sentencing follows a guilty verdict returned by a St. Tammany Parish jury on January 8, 2026. The evidence presented at trial by Assistant District Attorneys Tiffany Dover and Shelby Stoop detailed a “deadly ambush” on December 26, 2023.

Following a verbal grievance involving Haynes’ girlfriend, Megan Ayanna Coleman, and the victim’s sister, Haynes sought out Martin at a gas station in Lacombe. Armed with an AR-15 style rifle, Haynes approached Martin from behind and fired a single fatal shot into his torso. Haynes, a previously convicted felon, was later apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service in Kentwood, Louisiana.

“Today’s sentence ensures that Mr. Haynes will never again be a threat to the peace and safety of our community,” said District Attorney Collin Sims. “This was a calculated, cold-blooded execution of a young man. While no amount of time can return Juwarren to his family, we hope this life sentence provides them with the justice they deserve. My office remains committed to holding violent offenders fully accountable for their actions.”

The co-defendant in this matter, Megan Ayanna Coleman, is charged with Principal to Second Degree Murder and Obstruction of Justice. Her trial is scheduled to begin in April 2026. She is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Covington Man (Captured in Kentwood) Found Guilty of Murder in Lacombe

District Attorney Collin Sims reports that on January 8, 2026, a St. Tammany Parish jury found 27-year-old Marrio Haynes, Jr. of Covington, Louisiana guilty on all counts related to the 2023 shooting death of 23-year-old Juwarren Martin. Following a trial in the 22nd Judicial District Court before Judge Vincent J. Lobello, Haynes was convicted of Second Degree Murder, Obstruction of Justice by Tampering with Evidence/Death or Life Proceeding, and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Felonies.

Click here for previous related stories

“This was a calculated act of violence that ended a young life at a local place of business,” District Attorney Collin Sims said following the verdict. “The defendant chose to escalate a verbal grievance into a deadly ambush. I am proud of the work of my Assistant District Attorneys and our partners in law enforcement for ensuring that Mr. Haynes is held fully accountable. Our thoughts remain with the family of Juwarren Martin, and we hope this verdict brings them a measure of peace.”

The incident occurred on the evening of December 26, 2023. According to evidence presented at trial, the conflict began earlier that day when the victim’s sister and Haynes’ girlfriend, Megan Ayanna Coleman, engaged in a physical fight at a tobacco store in Abita Springs, Louisiana. Less than two hours later, the victim was at the Sunny Times gas station in Lacombe when a black Hyundai Elantra, driven by Coleman, pulled into the station. Haynes exited the vehicle armed with an AR-15 style rifle, boldly advanced toward Martin, and fired a single shot into Martin’s torso from behind.  Witnesses testified that Haynes declared his intent to kill Martin moments before firing the fatal shot. Haynes then fled on foot with the rifle, before being picked up by Megan Coleman in the same vehicle a short distance away.

Sergeant Hayden Folse with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office (STPSO) led the investigation. Detectives utilized eyewitness identifications and surveillance footage from “Bayou Stuf,” Sunny Times gas station, the Abita Springs tobacco store and a Shell station in Folsom, Louisiana to track the vehicle and defendants. Coleman was arrested on the same night as the homicide in Folsom, Louisiana. Haynes was captured by the United States Marshals Service (USMS) two months later at a trailer belonging to Coleman’s father in Kentwood. Coleman was also arrested at that time for harboring Haynes. Investigations revealed Haynes was a convicted felon at the time of the murder, having been previously convicted of Simple Burglary in 2017.

At trial, multiple eyewitnesses to the homicide testified and positively identified Haynes as the person who killed Juwarren Martin. Coleman’s testimony was also compelled where she positively identified Haynes as the person who exited her car and approached the victim. Coleman also admitted to looking for the victim and his sister immediately after the earlier fight to seek revenge.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Tiffany Dover and Shelby Stoop.

Haynes’ co-defendant, Megan Ayanna Coleman, age 23 and of Covington, is charged with Principal to Second Degree Murder and Obstruction of Justice. She is scheduled to be tried separately in April of this year. Under the law, Coleman is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Sentencing for Haynes is scheduled to take place on January 26, 2026. Under Louisiana law, a conviction for Second Degree Murder carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment at hard labor without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.

Two From Covington Indicted for Lacombe Murder

District Attorney J. Collin Sims reports that on May 15, 2024, a St. Tammany Parish grand jury indicted 25 year-old Marrio Haynes, Jr. and 21 year-old Megan Coleman, both of Covington, for one count of second degree murder and one count of obstruction of justice. Haynes was also indicted on one count of Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Marrio Haynes, Jr. gets around! He has a record of bookings in Washington Parish and was captured recently in Kentwood.

The case involves the fatal shooting of Juwarren Martin at a Lacombe gas station on December 26, 2023. Detective Hayden Folse with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office headed the investigation. Assistant District Attorney Ronald Gracianette presented the case to the grand jury.

Click here for previous related stories

Murder Suspect Found at Kentwood Area Residence

Marrio Haynes, Jr., age 25 and supposedly of Abita Springs, was located and arrested at a Kentwood area residence Wednesday (February 28, 2024) morning. Haynes, Jr. was wanted for a fatal shooting which occurred December 26, 2023, outside a Lacombe-area gas station. 

Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force responded to the Kentwood-area residence after investigators with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office obtained information that Haynes, Jr. was possibly staying at the home. His co-defendant and girlfriend, 21 year-old Megan Coleman, who was previously arrested for her role in the murder but had since bonded out of jail, was also located at the home. Coleman now faces an additional charge of Accessory After the Fact for aiding Haynes in avoiding capture. She was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail. Haynes, Jr. was also booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail as a fugitive and is awaiting extradition to St. Tammany.

Sheriff Randy Smith would like to thank both the U.S. Marshal’s Service and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in locating and taking Coleman and Haynes into custody. 

“We are grateful for the working relationship we have with our neighboring agencies and the U.S. Marshal’s Service, who assisted us in locating and arresting Haynes,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “I would also like to thank the detectives with our Major Crimes Division who worked countless hours and ran down numerous leads to track down and arrest this dangerous criminal.”

Click here for previous stories related to Marrio Haynes, Jr.

Abita Springs Man Wanted for Lacombe Murder

Detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 25 year-old Marrio Haynes, an Abita Springs man wanted in connection with a fatal shooting which occurred Tuesday (December 26, 2023) evening in Lacombe.

Shortly after 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, deputies with the STPSO’s 2nd Patrol District were dispatched to a Lacombe gas station in reference to a shooting. Deputies located a male victim with an apparent gunshot wound to his chest area. Emergency medical personnel transported him to a local hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. 

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Marrio Haynes (DOB 8/10/98) of Abita Springs for one count of Second-Degree Murder.

STPSO Major Crimes detectives arrested Haynes’ girlfriend, 20 year-old Megan Coleman of Abita Springs Tuesday night for the role she played in the shooting. She has been booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center for one count each of Principal to Second Degree Murder and Obstruction of Justice.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Marrio Haynes is asked to contact the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office by calling (985) 898-2338.

Joint Operation in Covington Results in Two Arrests

On Tuesday (December 13, 2022), in the early morning hours, the  Covington Police Department's Narcotics Unit and Louisiana Probation & Parole’s Tactical Unit conducted a joint operation on 1115 N. Columbia Street which has been investigated for illegal narcotics sales over the last several months. 

While officers conducted the search warrant, investigators located 47 year-old Timothy Bedford (B/M) of Covington in possession of the following illegal substances: 2.25 lbs. of marijuana, 326 pressed fentanyl pills, and 60 crack cocaine rocks.

While officers were searching, a black male subject, later identified as 24 year-old Marrio Haynes, Jr. (B/M), arrived at the residence unaware that a search was being conducted. When Haynes met officers in the backyard, Haynes fled on foot. After a lengthy foot pursuit, officers were able to detain Haynes where the following items were located on his person: Fentanyl Pills, Marijuana, and a loaded pistol

Bedford and Haynes were booked on numerous drug and weapons charges. 

The Covington Police Department expressed their thanks to the Louisiana Probation & Parole’s Office for their assistance in this operation and also their Narcotics Division for their dedication and proactive work in making our community safer. 

“Today, some of the drugs taken from this operation have been proven to kill. Illegal drug sales have also proven to provoke gang activity and gun violence, none of which the Covington Police Department will tolerate. Let this serve as a warning to other drug dealers in the City of Covington. We are a proactive unit, and eventually, you will be caught”. - Chief Ferrell

Washington Parish Jail Bookings June 4, 2019

Jimmie Warren was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery/Strangulation
Glennis Story was booked on the charge of Contempt of Court
James Butler was booked In For Court
Tiffany Majors was booked on the charge of Simple Burglary
Ernest McLain was booked on the charge of Failure to Appear
Marrio Haynes was booked on the charge of Probation and Parole Hold
Sabal James was booked on the charges of Aggravated Assault, Cyberstalking, Intimidating of a Witness, and Possession of Schedule II Drugs
Natalie Travis was booked on the charge of Possession of Stolen Property
Shannon Dillon was booked on the charge of Attempted Theft by Shoplifting

Marrio Haynes, Jr. Wanted in Covington Shooting

The Covington Police Department is investigating a shooting which occurred in the 300 block of S.

Taylor Street, yesterday afternoon (February 10, 2019) at approximately 3:20 pm. Officers responded to the scene and located Demarriay Haynes (21) who had a non-life-threatening bullet wound to his leg and who was determined to have been a perpetrator in an apparent armed robbery gone wrong.

Demarriay Haynes, along with his brother Marrio Haynes, Jr. (20), are both accused of attempting to rob someone at a residence, shots were fired at the victim, and Demarriay was struck by a projectile. Demarray Haynes was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries and then was taken into custody on the charge of Attempted First Degree Murder.

Investigators are currently looking for the Marrio Haynes, Jr., and have a warrant for his arrest for Attempted First Degree Murder.

If you know the whereabouts of Marrio Haynes, Jr., please call the Covington Police Department at 985-892-8500. You can also contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111, where you can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Marrio Haynes Jr. is to be considered armed and dangerous.

Washington Parish Jail Booking Information

Anthony Dillon was booked 12/30 on the charges of Convicted Felon in Possession of Firearm, Possession of Stolen Firearm, Possession of CDS With Weapon Present, Possession of Marijuana, and Resisting an Officer

Marrio Haynes was booked 12/30 on the charges of Theft 5000-25000 (2 counts), Burglary of Inhabited Dwelling, Vehicle Burglary (2 counts), and Simple Burglary

Bryant Travis was booked 12/30 on the charges of Business/Commercial Burglary, Vehicle Burglary, and Attachment

David Hunt was booked 12/30 on the charge of Failure to Appear

Michael Dobson was booked 12/31 on the charges of Possession of Schedule III Drugs, Illegal Tinte Windshield/Side Windows, Possession of Marijuana (2nd Offense), Possession of CDS With Weapon Present, No Proof of Insurance, and Resisting an Officer (5 counts)

Calvin Cittadino was booked 12/31 on the charges of Driving While Intoxicated (4th Offense), Careless Operation/Accident, and Driving With Suspended License Due to Previous DUI (or other)

Tyler Phelps was booked 01/01 on the charges of Contempt of Court (2 counts)

Kenneth Newman was booked 01/01 on the charges of Possession of Schedule IV Drugs, Possession of Schedule III Drugs, and Contempt of Court

George Grace was booked 01/01 on the charges of Driving While Intoxicated, Obstructing Public Passage(s), Open Container in Vehicle and Expired Drivers License

Carl Pritchard was booked 01/01 on the charges of Failure to Appear (2 counts), Contempt of Court, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Romello Brown was booked 01/01 on the charge of Monetary Instrument Abuse (Counterfeit Moneys)

Booker Adams was booked 01/01 on the charges of Monetary Instrument Abuse (Counterfeit Moneys), Failure to Appear (4 counts), and Theft of Goods

Shawanda Mingo was booked 01/01 on the charge of Simple Kidnapping