Sentencing in Sex Case of Texas Woman and Franklinton Boy

Martha Ojeda (42) of Pflugerville, Texas, was sentenced Wednesday (April 12, 2018) in U. S. District
Court  to five years in prison followed by ten years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Bill of Information charging her with interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.  OJEDA will also have to register as a sex offender.
According to the court documents, in late February 2017, Ojeda met the 15-year-old, who resided in Franklinton, Louisiana, on a social networking website. From February until early April, they exchanged sexually explicit correspondence  on numerous occasions that included images and videos.
On about April 8, 2017, Ojeda traveled by commercial bus and then by taxi from Texas to the minor’s Franklinton home.  Ojeda and the minor then traveled to New Orleans, where they stayed in a hotel room together and engaged in sexual intercourse.  On about April 9, 2017, Ojeda and the minor traveled to Texas, eventually living together in Pflugerville until the minor was recovered by Special Agents with the FBI on May 12, 2017.
Ojeda had faced up to 30 years in prison followed by up to a lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

Folsom Man Shot in Covington – Police Investigating

Covington Police are investigating a shooting that occurred around 9 pm Wednesday (April 11,
2018). CPD received a call about shots fired in the area of W 29th Ave and Van Buren Streets. Shortly afterwards, they received a call from a local emergency room reporting that Randy Batiste (59) of Folsom had arrived there suffering from gun shot wounds. Batiste had driven himself to the hospital.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Batiste was engaged in a fight with a short black male wearing a black hoodie when a second tall black male wearing a grey hoodie opened fire. Batiste was struck at least twice. He is expected to survive.
If anyone has any information regarding the shooting is asked to call the Covington Police Dept., 985-892-8500 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

Arrest Made in Two Bogalusa Dollar General Burglaries

On Monday (April 9, 2018), the Bogalusa Police Department arrested Darnell Reed (47) of Bogalusa
on 2 warrants for Simple Burglary. Reed, who was already in custody at the Bogalusa City Jail on other charges, is  is the suspect in a burglary of the Dollar General Store on Avenue F and also of the Dollar General Store on  Sullivan Drive.
In both of the burglaries, BPD officers found front door glass broken out and that cigarettes were taken. Reed was listed as the suspect when a BPD officers noticing him acting suspicious on March 9, 2018. Reed had in his possession a crow bar and a ski mask and was arrested for Possession of Burglary Tools. Reed
appeared to be the same person on both stores surveillance video footage, he was wearing the exact type of tennis shoes, and glass was found in the soles of his tennis shoes.

Bogalusa City Jail Booking Information for April 11, 2018

Nicholas Fields was booked 04/11 on the charge of Simple Battery
Joan Liner was booked 04/11 on the charges of Expired License Plate,, Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection Sticker, No Insurance and Failure to Appear (Bogalusa City Court)
Leroy Carroll was booked 04/11 on the charge of 2 counts of Failure to Appear (Bogalusa City Court)
Brandon Carroll was booked 04/11 on the charges of Theft and 2 count of Failure to Appear (Bogalusa City Court)
Cathy A. Knight was booked 04/11 on the charges of Driving While License is Suspended, Expired License Plate and License Plate Lights Required
Joshua Crawford was booked 04/11 for a Probation Hold (Bogalusa City Court)

Washington Parish Jail Booking Information for April 11, 2018

Issac Bonner was booked 04/11 on the charges of Non-Consensual Disclosure of Private Picture, Carnal Knowleddge of a Juvenile, and Pornography Involving Juvenile(s)
Shona Westmoreland was booked 04/11 on dthe charges of Simple Arson, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Failure to Honor Written Promise
Julia Tynes was booked 04/11 on the charges of Theft Less Than 1000, Possession of Schedule II Drugs, and Attachment
Robert Grande was booked 04/11 on the charge of Failure to Comply With Sex Offender Registration Requirements

Our Opinion: They Do More Than We Credit Them For

Residents in one area of Washington Parish were threatened with being stranded when St. Tammany Parish planned to close the bridge connecting them with the outside world. They had no other way to get in and out. The bridge is near Sun and St. Tammany was unwilling to fund the needed repairs. What made it even worse is that the residents had been paying taxes to St. Tammany for eighty years.
Washington Parish President Richard Thomas and the Parish Council stepped in and are now repairing St. Tammany's bridge in order to assist those parish residents. Now they can not only get in and out of their property, but can also have services from ambulances, school buses, fire trucks, and law enforcement.
Most of us never consider all that our parish government does for us. This includes litter cleanup, replacing stolen road signs, maintaining roadways, responding to residents' questions and need for assistance, responding during weather emergencies, keeping us advised of weather alerts, and assisting residents in elevating their homes. Plus, consider how we benefit from the parish landfill, the fire districts, gas districts, water districts, libraries, and much more.
Of course, taxpayer money makes everything possible. And wise management of taxpayer money has resulted in Washington Parish Government being debt-free and in a stable financial position. This puts Washington Parish in a unique position among Louisiana parishes. 
As Parish President Richard Thomas said, “We are trying to make things better for the people of Washington Parish” and Councilman Mike Fussell said, “The safety, health, and welfare of our citizens – we are responsible for that”. 
Click here to watch video of the entire April 9th meeting

Some Things You Should Know from Mt. Hermon Web-TV on Vimeo.

Obituary

James Theo "Jimmy" Richardson
November 26, 1929 - April 10, 2018

Obituary

Michael Scott Campbell
March 10, 1971 - April 8, 2018

Obituary

Josie Breaux
January 04, 1924 - April 06, 2018

Washington Parish Jail Booking Information for April 10, 2018

Rickey Miley was booked 04/10 on the charges of Failure to Appear (3 counts)
Joshua Grimes was booked 04/10 on the charge of Failure to Appear
James Barber was booked 04/10 on the charges of Introduction of Contraband to Penal Institute (2 counts) and Malfeasance in Office
Roy Burton was booked 04/10 In From Court
Thomas Washington was booked 04/10 on the charge of Theft Less Than 1000

Bogalusa Man Gets 20 Years for Rape of 6-Year-Old Girl

District Attorney Warren Montgomery reports that Carl Rogers (67) of Bogalusa, pleaded guilty Monday (April 9, 2018) to forcible rape of a 6-year-old girl. District Judge Alan Zaunbrecher sentenced Rogers to 20 years in prison without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence and lifetime registration as a sex offender.
The victim, now 11, disclosed the rape during a counseling session at the Bogalusa Mental Health Clinic in 2014. She said that when she was 6 years old, Rogers touched her body inappropriately, kissed her, and forced oral sex on her. In a statement to law enforcement officials, Rogers admitted to sexual contact with the victim but claimed the child was the aggressor.
The Bogalusa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant District Attorneys Jay Adair and Elizabeth Authement prosecuted it. The victim’s mother was contacted before the plea was accepted, and she agreed to the terms.

WPSO Detective Recognized as Deputy of the Year

On April 9, 2018, Bogalusa’s American Legion “Magic City” Post 24 recognized Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective Corbet Hunt as their Deputy of the Year. After being presented a plaque honoring his selection, Detective Hunt thanked the Legion for honoring him and Sheriff Randy Seal for his leadership of the Sheriff’s Office before closing with a scripture reference. In honor of the military men and women and law enforcement officers who answered the call to duty, Detective Hunt quoted Isaiah 6:8, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”
Sheriff Randy Seal stated, “Corbet Hunt epitomizes the best in law enforcement. His devotion to duty and the citizens of Washington Parish is reflected in his work. Thank you, Detective Hunt, for representing our parish in such a professional manner.”

Washington Parish Jail Booking Information for April 9, 2018

Natoya Toomer was booked 04/09 on the charges of Failure to Honor Written Promise, Contempt of Court, Possession of Schedule II Drugs, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Demario Warren was booked 04/09 In For Court
Terry Buckhanan was booked 04/09 on the charge of Probation Violation
Frank Cangelosi was booked 04/09 on the charge of Possession of Stolen Property
Graylon Dillon was booked 04/09 on the charges of Possession of Schedule II Drugs, Driving Under Suspension, and Contempt of Court
John Marshall was booked 04/09 on the charge of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction

Obituary

Milton Clinton Jenkins
January 8, 1948 - April 6, 2018 

Craft Show & Music Showcase is Saturday, April 14 in Bogalusa

Magic City Firefighters Auxiliary has been planning this Craft Show & Music Showcase event for months! It will feature craft vendors from all over the south, acts by local musicians, performances by local bands and dance teams, activities for the kids and food vendors. Proceeds go to support the fire department. 

Obituary

Janice Marie Penton
July 08, 1953 - April 08, 2018

I Made It Home!
I just wanted to let you know that I made it home.
Everything is so pretty here, so white, so fresh, so new. I wish that you could close your eyes so you could see it too.
Please try not to be sad for me. Try to understand. God is taking care of me - - - I’m in the shelter of His Hands.
Here there is no sadness, and no sorrow, and no pain. Here there is no crying and I’ll never hurt again.
Here it is so peaceful when all the angels sing. I really have to go now - - - I’ve just got to sing!!
P. S. I’ll see you when you get here! 
Janice Marie Penton went home to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. at the age of 64.
She is survived by her mother, Lucille Penton; two sisters, Julia and Richard Cook, and Mary Garner. Many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her father, D. C. Penton; and a sister, Evelyn Thornhill.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. in Pounds Cemetery on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 with Rev. Richard Cook officiating.
To God be the Glory for receiving her home! No more pain! No more sorrow!
Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Obituary

Barrett Lee Harmon, Sr.
March 11, 1978 - April 5, 2018

MS. Murder Suspects Nabbed in Washington Parish

On April 7, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies Jay Dupre and Michael Thomas arrested two parish men wanted as suspects for a murder which occurred in Harrison County, Mississippi, earlier that same day. Both suspects were taken into custody without incident and several weapons were seized during an inventory of the suspects’ vehicle. In addition, a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol was seized and identified as the possible murder weapon.
The two men, both of whom were apprehended at a residence on Tob Wilson Road north of Franklinton, are Dannie Wayne Bergeron, Jr. (19) and Jacob Tyler Scaife (22). Both men are being held in the Washington Parish Jail without bond pending extradition to Harrison County.
Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal stated, “I am so pleased Deputies Dupre and Thomas were able to successfully apprehend these two murder suspects. Once we were notified by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, our deputies took quick action to make the arrests before the suspects could leave the area. We are pleased to assist our law enforcement colleagues in Harrison County.”

D.A. Warren Montgomery To Host Ceremony Recognizing Crime Victims

District Attorney Warren Montgomery is hosting a ceremony Thursday (April 12) at the Washington Parish Courthouse to recognize crime victims as part of National Crime Victims Rights Week (April 8-14).
The ceremony will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 708 Washington St. in Franklinton. Montgomery will deliver the keynote address. Other speakers include: Olander Smith, Franklinton Police Chief; Rhonda Gunnell of the Adapt Rape Crisis Center in Bogalusa; and Elisa Williams-Smith, a crime survivor.
The event is designed to draw attention to the plight of survivors of crime and provide information about the services available to them. Various organizations that serve crime victims will set up tables to provide information about their services. Several of the service providers also will set up tables at the Justice Center in Covington, 701 N. Columbia Street, to provide information to the public throughout the week.
The 22nd Judicial District, which Montgomery serves, covers Washington and St. Tammany Parishes. The public is invited to attend the ceremony.

Washington Parish Jail Booking Information for April 7-8, 2018

Tommy Clark was booked 04/07 In From Court
Ernest Fanks was booked 04/07 on the charge of Theft 1000-5000
Jacob Scaife was booked 04/07 on the charge of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction
Dannie Bergeron was booked 04/07 on the charge of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction
Bryan Savoy was booked 04/08 on the charge of Failure to Appear
Ashley Miller was booked 04/08 on the charge of Introduction of Contraband into Penal Institute
Dasha Taylor was booked 04/08 on the charge of Introduction of Contraband into Penal Institute
Donte Carter was booked 04/08 on the charge of Introduction of Contraband into Penal Institute
Donald Vice was booked 04/08 on the charge of Introduction of Contraband into Penal Institute and Possession of Schedule II Drugs (2 counts)
Myijana Burrell was booked 04/08 on the charge of Cutting
Prisca Burrell was booked 04/08 on the charge of Cutting