Washington Parish Jail Bookings June 17-18, 2020

Djamian Harry was booked on the charges of Driving While Intoxicated (2nd Offense), Careless Operation, No Seat Belt, and Drivers License Not on Person
Brian Dickerson was booked on the charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule III Drugs, and Possession of CDS With Weapon Present
Rondey Jones was booked on the charges of Criminal Trespass, Second Degree Battery, and Contempt of Court
Jasmine Magee was booked on the charges of Criminal Trespass and Second Degree Battery
Steven Crenshaw was booked on the charges of Driving Under Suspension, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Schedule II Drugs, and Probation and Parole Hold
Willie Bickham was booked on the charge of Distribution of Schedule II Drugs
Kevin Fortenberry was booked on the charges of No Taillight, Driving Under Suspension, Switched License Plates, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Schedule II Drugs (2 counts), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Obituary

Shirley Ann Barber
February 11, 1951 - June 17, 2020

Today in History for June 19th

AP Top Stories June 19, 2020 AM

Franklinton Man Pleads Guilty to Veterans Affairs Theft

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that Daniel Vanslyke, age 34 and of  Franklinton,

Louisiana, pleaded guilty today (June 18, 2020) to one count of theft of government funds, before U.S, District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

According to the factual basis and charging document, Vanslyke knowingly stole money of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that did not belong to him of approximately $46,000. Vanslyke misappropriated funds that were being paid to his father, a legitimate veteran, after his father passed away.

In the Factual Basis for the plea, prosecutors state that an investigation was initiated in September of 2016 based on an anonymous complaint; Michael Vanslyke, Daniel Vanslyke's father, was entitled to benefits and received the benefits by direct deposits to his bank account; Michael Vanslyke died in November of 2015; while Michael Vanslyke was in the hospital, Daniel Vanslyke took possession of his father's wallet;  Daniel Vanslyke accessed Michael Vanslyke's account by using Michael Vanslyke's debit card and diverted the funds for his own use. Click here to read the Factual Basis.

Sentencing will be held on September 16, 2020. At that time, Vanslyke faces a sentence of up to ten (10) years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines, and up to three (3) years of supervised release. 

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General for their investigation of the matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera is in charge of the prosecution.

This Week on "Washington Parish Community Connect"

Check out this week's WP Community Connect Video Series to hear about what our local community organizations and resources provide and are doing in Washington Parish. This week featuring ADAPT with Rusty Fornea to discuss their program/services and Mayor Perrette to discuss the local animal control ordinance.

WPSO Sergeant Barry Cooper Graduates From POST Academy

Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office Corrections Sergeant Barry Cooper, a resident of Mt. Hermon,

recently graduated from the Louisiana Police Officers Standards and Training Academy hosted by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Cooper excelled in all aspects of the academy training, obtaining the highest academic average in his class.

The ten week academy curriculum is designed for corrections deputies and features corrections specific legal and operational instruction. Academy Director Captain Jeremy Church and Lt. Simmons traveled to Franklinton on June 18 to present Sgt. Cooper with his award plaque.

Sgt. Cooper serves in the role of investigator in the jail. Not only does he investigate any incidents involving inmates or staff, but also he monitors the gathering of intelligence regarding criminal activity both inside and outside the jail.

“Sgt. Cooper is an outstanding employee,” stated Sheriff Randy Seal. “He is a proven corrections professional and exemplifies the best of the best. Congratulations, Sgt. Cooper, on your completion of the rigorous academy curriculum and your achievement in obtaining the highest academic average.”

Fairgrounds Summer Food Distribution is June 24th

Obituary

Walter Dale "David" Morgan
August 05, 1956 - June 12, 2020

Early Voting Begins Saturday for July 11th Election

Early voting for the Saturday, July 11, 2020 election will be held June 20, 2020 - July 4, 2020 (excluding Sunday, June 21, 2020 and Sunday, June 28, 2020).

The primary purpose of this election is for voters to elect the candidate of their choice to be nominated and represent their political party (Democratic or Republican) for President of the United States and to elect members to their state central committee and parish executive committees, if applicable. In addition, some parishes will have local races and/or local or parish-wide propositions.

Voters (in St. Tammany, Washington, Tangipahoa, Livingston, St. Helena, East Feliciana and West Feliciana Parishes) will also choose between two candidates for the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal, District 3–Division D.  The choices are Richard A. "Rick" Swartz (currently a District Judge in the 22nd JDC) and Elizabeth "Beth" Wolfe (currently a District Judge in the 21st JDC). The Court of Appeal Judgeship is an open seat due to Judge Will Crain being elected to the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Also on the ballot in some precincts of Bogalusa is a 1/4% S&U Tax Redidication item.

To see your Sample Ballot, go to https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/sampleballot and select your Parish, Ward, and Precinct.

Franklinton Police Make Arrest After Disturbance Call Escalates

On Tuesday (June 16, 2020), the Franklinton Police Department responded to the Fairground

Apartment Complex regarding a disturbance where a subject was reportedly observed breaking windows of a vehicle. The complainant advised her boyfriend, 24-year-old Donshay Dyson broke the windows of her vehicle. However, the complaint stated she did not want to pursue criminal charges.

Before leaving, the officers observed Dyson to have several lacerations to his arm. He refused medical treatment and cursed at officers during the interaction. Officers attempted to diffuse the situation and departed the scene without further incident.

A short time later, officers were called back to the apartments because Dyson reportedly continued to cause a disturbance and was observed driving erratically, endangering several children who were playing in the area. Officers again made contact with Dyson and attempted to place him under arrest. Dyson ignored the officers orders and violently resisted arrest. Dyson committed a battery on the officers and was  tazed after a brief foot pursuit. Dyson was eventually taken into custody but only after he headbutted one of the officers in the face.

Dyson was transported to Riverside Medical Center where he underwent treatment for the lacerations to his arm before being turned over to the Washington Parish Jail. Dyson was charged with 1st Offense DWI, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, No Driver's License, 2 counts Child Restraint Violation, Resisting an Officer, 2 counts Battery on a Police Officer, Hate Crimes, Criminal Damage to Property, Simple Burglary and Disturbing the Peace. As of this morning, Dyson remains in jail with bond set at $50,000.00.

Local Weather Forecast for the Next Few Days

For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.

Today in History for June 18th

AP Top Stories June 18, 2020 AM

Bogalusa Councilwoman Kates Secures COVID-19 Supplies

Source: Correspondence with Bogalusa Councilwoman Gloria Kates

Recognizing the need for COVID-19 supplies, on April 25, 2020 Bogalusa Councilwoman (District A) Gloria Kates began searching for a source and a donor for the supplies. Councilwoman Kates said what was needed was "more face masks, more disinfectant, and more sanitizer." Her idea was to distribute the needed supplies through local churches.

The plan began to come together when United Way of New Orleans became the source and on May 6, 2020 United Parcel Service stepped up as the donor. The next steps were to identify how much was needed and compiling a list of churches to distribute the supplies to.

An announcement was made on June 9, 2020 that each church would receive 100 masks, 100 hand sanitizers, and 100 pairs of gloves and distribution was made on June 11-12, 2020.

Churches who participated include: Allen Temple COG, Annunciation Catholic Church , Antioch Church of Christ Holiness USA, Apostolic Faith United Pentecostal Church, Ben’s Ford Baptist Church, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Bible Way, Bogalusa Church of Christ, Brown’s Temple A.O.H.  Church Of God, Church of God, Calvary Christian Fellowship, Christ Way Ministries, Church of United Faith, Elizabeth Sullivan Memorial United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, First Church of God in Christ, Fully Committed Ministries, God Seeking  through Jesus Christ Ministries, Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church, Harry Chapel United Methodist Chruch, Highland Baptist Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses Hall, Love Outreach Church, Kingdom of God Church, Main Street Baptist Church, Memorial Baptist Church, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Monroe Street Baptist Church, Mount Bethel Baptist Church, Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Mount Zion Baptist Church, New Hope Church of Christ Holiness USA, New Life United Pentecostal Church, New Triumph Baptist Church, Pettit Memorial Baptist Church, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Saint John Elizabeth Church of God in Christ, St. Paul AME Church, Salter Chapel AME Church, Second Baptist Church, St. Matthews Episcopal Church, Superior Avenue Baptist Church, Sweet Beulah Baptist Church, Terrace Missionary Baptist Church, Thirkield United Methodist, Trumpet of Truth, Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church, White Hall Baptist Church, LC-MS Zion Lutheran Church, Winan United.

Councilwoman Kates expressed a special thank you to volunteers. They included Chief Moody, Chief Ladner, Chief Moses, Chief Brister, and the men of the Bogalusa Fire Dept, Major Charles McDaniel of the Bogalusa Police Department, Mr. Don Hall, Bogalusa Public Works, Mr. Justin Schuver of the Bogalusa Daily News, Ms. Marilyn Lott and Greg, Mrs. Tina Martin, Ms. Regina Powell, Rev. Deshaun Spikes, Ms. Eva Taylor, Ms. Melody Reed and Ms. Janet Jackson. In addition, Mayor Wendy Perrette took time out of her busy schedule to give out supplies on Thursday.
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Councilwoman Kates expressed that the project was made as “part of the Covid-19 preventive plan of action for the good of the community. To God be the Glory. Unity and inclusion for All was the purpose.”

Assessing COVID-19 Risks of Activities

Wanted by STPSO for Rape of an Impaired Woman

Solomon Jones has been arrested but Kendrick Orgogne is still wanted for three counts of First Degree Rape and one count of Second-Degree Kidnapping.

Help STPSO Locate This Wanted Suspect

Obituary

Nell Davis Crain
January 20, 1929 - June 16, 2020

Obituary

Richard Caleb Steadman
August 7, 1957 - June 14, 2020