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May 20, 2023
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 83. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
May 19, 2023
Slidell Man Found Guilty of “Beating Up” a 7 Year-Old
District Attorney Warren Montgomery reports that on Thursday (May 18, 2023), a 12-person jury in St. Tammany Parish, after deliberating for 30 minutes, unanimously found Christopher James Garretson, age 35 and of Slidell, guilty of cruelty to juveniles involving a victim under the age of 8. Judge Scott Gardner presided over the trial.
In Slidell, in September of 2022, the victim, who was seven years old at the time, was hit in the face repeatedly by the defendant. At trial, in a Children’s Advocacy video interview played for the jury, the victim said that the defendant “did this” to me, as he pointed to his face. The victim said that the defendant woke up, came into the room where he was watching TV and started hitting him “a bunch of times.” The victim sustained bruising on his forehead, bruising on his entire face and a busted lip that was so severe, it caused bruising on the inside of his mouth. He also had bruising on his leg.
The interview the police conducted with the defendant was played for the jury. When asked by detectives to give his version of the events, Garretson said he had woken up and found the victim sitting on the floor playing with coffee creamer. He said the victim started “lying” to him and “talking back” so he “popped him in the mouth.” He said he then “whooped his butt” with a belt. He admitted that he’d not sought medical treatment for the victim because he was “fine.” He later admitted to striking the victim two or three times, but that he wasn’t trying to “beat the shit out of him.” He admitted that the victim was putting his hands up to protect his face and was saying “stop.”
The defendant admitted during his interview, that when relatives arrived back at the house that day, they saw the injuries to the victim, secured the victim and then proceeded to beat the defendant up in retaliation. The relatives then sought medical treatment for the victim.
The attorney representing the defendant argued to the jury that his client was simply disciplining the child.
In closing, Assistant District Attorney Christina Fisher told the jury, “when Christopher Garretson beat his 7-year-old child repeatedly and with enough force to leave visible bruising to the child’s entire face, that is not discipline. That is cruelty.”
Sentencing is set for June 13, 2023.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jay Adair and Christina Fisher. The case was investigated by Detective Adam Driskell of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office. The forensic interviewer from CAC Hope House was Katie Greene.
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Washington Parish Jail Bookings for May 18, 2023
Damien Dillon (age 32 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Driving Under Suspension, Child Restraint Violation 1st Offense (2 counts), No Seat Belt, and Resisting Arrest by Providing False Booking Information by the Louisiana State Police. Released on $3500.00 bond.
Michael Hunt (age 63 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Prohibited Acts-Schedule II by Probation and Parole. Released on $5000.00 bond.
Jennifer Hosey (age 43 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Prohibited Acts-Schedule II by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
Jessica Strain (age 34 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II Drugs, Sale Distribution or Possession of Legend Drugs Without Prescription or Order, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Issuing Worthless Checks Under 1000 by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
John Thomas (age 35 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II Drugs and Failure to Appear by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
McKayla Cornish (age 21 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charge of Simple Battery With Injury by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released on $2500.00 bond.
Willie Johnson (age 28 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse Battery (3rd Offense), Domestic Abuse/Child Endangerment, and Convicted Felon in Possession of Firearm by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Brandon Painter (age 40 with Mt. Hermon, La. address) was booked on the charge of Contempt of Court by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Garrett Talley (age 36 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Hit and Run and Careless Operation by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released May 18, 2023.
Dexter Graves (age 41 with Angie, La. address) was booked In For Court and on the charge of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released May 18, 2023.
Markus Mark (age 28 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charges of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction, No Drivers License, Aggravated Flight From an Officer, and Speeding 11-20 Over Limit by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night A slight chance of thunderstorms before 7pm, then a slight chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
May 18, 2023
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Washington Parish Jail Bookings for May 17, 2023
Jordan Smith (age 19 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Aggravated
Assault/Drive-by Shooting, Attempted First Degree Murder, Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property, and Illegal Use of Weapons or Dangerous Instrumentalities by the Bogalusa Police Department. Bond set at $200,000.00.
Cameron Seal (age 22 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Principal to 2nd Degree Murder, Distribution of Schedule 1 CDS, Distribution of Schedule II CDS, Possession of Heroin (2 counts), Possession of Schedule II Drugs, Possession of Contraband in a Correctional Facility, Introduction of Contraband to Correctional Facility, Sexual Battery, and Battery on a Police Officer by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $112,500.00.
Larry Newkirk (age 34 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charges of Domestic Abuse Battery and Failure to Appear by the Bogalusa Police Department. Bond set at $750.00.
Jordan Smith (age 40 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Convicted Felon in Possession of Firearm by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released on $10000.00 bond.
Jakyran Handy (age 23 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released on May 18, 2023.
Two Arrests Made in Bogalusa Drive-by Shooting
Update (May 19, 2023): The Bogalusa Police Department has reported an additional arrest has been made in the drive-by shooting on May 10, 2023. On Thursday (May 18, 2023), a 17 year-old juvenile was arrested and booked on the charges of Attempted 1st Degree Murder, Assault by Drive-By Shooting, Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property and Illegal Use of Weapons or Dangerous Instruments. The juvenile was transported to the Florida Parish Detention Center.
The Bogalusa Police Department has released information today (May 18, 2023) related to what they refer to as a drive-by shooting that occurred the night of Wednesday (May 10, 2023). BPD had received a report of shots being fired in the area of Michigan Avenue.
On Thursday, May 11, 2023, The Bogalusa Police Department arrested Sincere Craft on charges of Attempted 1st Degree Murder, Assault by Drive-By Shooting, Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property and Illegal Use of Weapons or Dangerous Instruments. Detectives executed a search warrant at the residence of Craft, where numerous firearms were seized. Two of the firearms were reportedly stolen. [Washington Parish Jail booking information reflects that on May 14, 2023, 18 year-old Sincere Craft was booked on the charges of Aggravated Assault/Drive-by Shooting, Attempted First Degree Murder, Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property, Illegal Use of Weapon/Aggravated Assault, Possession of Schedule II Drugs, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of CDS With Weapon Present, and Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm (2 counts). Craft remains in jail as of May 18, 2023 with a bond set at $250,000.00].
On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, Jordan Smith, Jr. was also arrested on charges of Attempted 1st Degree Murder, Assault by Drive-By Shooting, Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property and Illegal Use of Weapons or Dangerous Instruments. Detectives also executed a search warrant at the residence of Smith, where numerous firearms were seized from the residence. [Washington Parish Jail booking information reflects that on May 17, 2023, 19 year-old Jordan Elmo Smith was booked on the charges of Aggravated Assault/Drive-by Shooting, Attempted First Degree Murder, Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property, and Illegal Use of Weapons or Dangerous Instrumentalities. Smith remains in jail as of May 18, 2023 with a bond set at $200,000.00].
BPD reports that the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests regarding this incident will be made.
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming south in the evening.
Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. West wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
May 17, 2023
Pearl River Man Sentenced to 10 Years for DWI (5 Priors)
District Attorney Warren Montgomery reports that on Monday (May 15, 2023), Randy Marvin Trosclair, age 50 and of Pearl River, pled guilty to driving while intoxicated 4th or subsequent offense and resisting an officer by refusal to give a name. District Judge John Keller sentenced him to 10 years in prison, to be served without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. By law, this sentence is consecutive to the defendant’s parole time on his previous DWI.
The defendant has five prior DWI convictions.
In February of 2023, State Police observed the defendant operating a vehicle on I-10 in an erratic manner. During the ensuing traffic stop, the defendant was observed to have slurred speech, bloodshot and glassy eyes, and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. The defendant refused to provide identification or allow the officer to perform any field sobriety tests.
It was later determined the defendant’s driver’s license had been suspended due to his prior DWI’s. Lab analysis of a blood sample taken from the defendant indicated his Blood Alcohol Content was 0.18 grams %.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christina Fisher.
Pearl River Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Pornography Involving Juveniles and Sexual Abuse of Animals
District Attorney Warren Montgomery reports that on Monday (May 15, 2023), Charles Patrick Cochrane, age 58 and of Pearl River, pled guilty to 6 counts of distribution of pornography involving juveniles, 3 counts of possession of pornography involving juveniles and 5 counts of sexual abuse of animals. District Judge John Keller sentenced him to 7 years in prison, to be served without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.
Based on a tip received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in May of 2022, Special Agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation began investigating the defendant’s online activities. As a result of the investigation, the agents executed a search warrant on the defendant’s residence and recovered multiple images of children engaged in sexual acts. Also recovered were images of adults engaged in sexual acts with animals and lewd images of the defendant himself. The defendant was then arrested and transported to jail.
Supervisory Special Agent Brian D. Brown investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christina Fisher.
Pearl River Sentenced to 25 Years for Drug Trafficking
District Attorney Warren Montgomery reports that on Monday (May 15, 2023), Purvis Lee McKnight, age 36 and of Pearl River, pled guilty as charged to twelve felony charges related to drug trafficking. The defendant engaged in the distribution of various drugs including heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. The crimes occurred in and around Pearl River, Louisiana.
In August of 2022, detectives with St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division began an extensive two-month long investigation into the suspected sales of illicit narcotics by the defendant. Detectives were able to arrange a controlled purchase of fentanyl and heroin between the defendant and an undercover officer. Subsequent to that, detectives executed a search warrant on the defendant’s motel room where numerous narcotics were discovered. Detectives also recovered cocaine, heroin and fentanyl they found concealed on his person.
District Judge Vincent Lobello sentenced McKnight to 25 years in prison, to be served without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.
The case was investigated by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division and led by Detective Michael Liberto. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover.
Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Rape of 12 Year-Old
District Attorney Warren Montgomery reports that on Monday (May 15, 2023), Michael Jeffery Kleinpeter, age 21 and of Texas, pled guilty to second-degree rape and indecent behavior with juveniles. The crimes occurred in Slidell, Louisiana. District Judge Vincent Lobello sentenced him to 15 years in prison, to be served without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence, followed by lifetime registration as a sex offender.
In October of 2019, the victim, who was twelve years old at the time, spent the night at a residence where the defendant was staying. That night, the defendant raped the victim multiple times. The victim was brought to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. The defendant’s DNA was found on the clothing that the victim was wearing during the attack.
The victim was present at the time of the guilty plea and stated during her victim impact statement, “Now that all of this is coming to an end, and I hope that I will get the closure that I need to know that after today I will never see you again. I hope what you did was all worth it because now everyone in this room now knows what kind of untrustworthy and manipulative person you are to rape me when all my family did was trust you.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover. The case was investigated by Detective Angelica Lopez of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office.
Covington Sentenced to 15 Years as Habitual Offender
District Attorney Warren Montgomery reports that on Monday (May 15, 2023), Timothy Darius Bedford, Sr., age 47 and of Covington, pled guilty as charged to one count each of: possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, Transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In November of 2022 detectives with Covington Police Department’s Narcotics Division began a month-long investigation into the defendant for suspected distribution of numerous types of narcotics. During that time, detectives were able to arrange four controlled purchases utilizing confidential informants. Subsequent to those purchases, detectives executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence and seized narcotics including fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana, as well as drug paraphernalia.
District Judge Vincent Lobello sentenced Bedford to 15 years in prison as a habitual offender. The defendant has multiple prior convictions involving the sale and possession of narcotics. His sentence is to be served without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.
The case was investigated by Detective Brian Ledkins of the Covington Police Department’s Narcotics Division. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover.
The Mother's Day Tea Party with Franklinton Library was so fun!
A Message from the Franklinton Branch Library
We had cupcakes and tea while the lovely Washington Parish Free Fair Rodeo Queens read "Pinkalicious: Mother's Day Surprise"!
Afterward, we all made Mother's Day cards and friendship bracelets. Thank you so much to Franklinton Winn-Dixie for donating such beautiful cupcakes and the Friends of the Library for their monetary donations!
A very special thank you to Miss Queen Skylar Branch and Little Miss Queen Bry'Anna Morgan for taking time out of their day to attend our tea party! The Queens did an amazing job reading our story, interacting with the kids, and teaching us about true beauty, grace, and friendship!
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