December 22, 2022
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for December 20-21, 2022
Laken Harris (age 34 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Attempted Introduction of Contraband to Penal Institute by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $15000.00.
Steven Tew (age 24 with Franklinton, La. address) as booked on the charges of Probation and Parole Hold and Contempt of Court (2 counts) by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
Gregory Honaker (age 53 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Failure to Appear (3 counts) and Contempt of Court 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.
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December 21, 2022
State Fire Marshal Urges Safety Awareness to Avoid Fire Tragedies
The State Fire Marshal’s (SFM) Office is pleading with the public to increase fire safety awareness and prevention efforts as deputies continue to investigate multiple fatal home fires across the state in just one day.
“It’s cold outside and we know cold temperatures go hand-in-hand with fire tragedies,” said State Fire Marshal Dan Wallis, “But we haven’t even seen the harshest temperatures yet. That’s why I’m very concerned and urging families to be aware of the fire hazards in their homes and in the homes of those they love.”
“These deaths are all devastating, especially because, of what we know, they were all likely preventable,” said Wallis, “Please, stop what you are doing now and look around your home. Do you have a working smoke alarm? Are there hazards in your home that can lead to fire danger? Head to your elderly neighbor or relative’s home and do the same check. Following our simple safety steps can and will save lives.”
Those key safety messages include:
- Place space heaters 3-5 feet from combustible objects like blankets and curtains
- Plug all heating appliances directly into wall outlets, not power strips or extension cords
- Do not use stoves or ovens to heat homes
- Don’t overfill fireplaces/wood-burning stoves
- Do not leave candles/open flames (or space heaters) left unattended
- Keep holiday decorations 3-5 feet from heat sources and be mindful of not only the quality of their wires, but how many decorations are plugged into one power source
- Have working smoke alarms in your home!
Lastly, these deaths bring our state’s fire fatality count up to 75 with more than 10 days left in the year. In all but a handful of those cases, no working smoke alarms were found.
Smoke alarms save lives and our Operation Save-A-Life partners with local fire departments to install FREE smoke alarms for families that need them most. To learn more about Operation Save-A-Life, or to register for a free smoke alarm, visit lasfm.org.
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
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December 20, 2022
Three Drive Themselves to Jail & Were Provided Rooms!
On the night of December 19, 2022 three parish residents were incarcerated in the Washington Parish Jail after driving themselves to the Sheriff’s Office parking lot.
Acting on surveillance by the jail investigator, the jail warden and a member of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force set up surveillance in the parking lot based on information that specific persons would be visiting the jail in an attempt to introduce illegal drugs to inmate Kevin Michael Knight, age 34 and who is in jail after his November 2022 arrest for possession of stolen property and introduction of drugs into the jail. Knight is a career offender, having been arrested ten times prior to his current charges. Since 2009, Knight has been incarcerated on a variety of charges including possession of illegal drugs, resisting arrest with force or violence, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, theft, burglary, failure to appear in court, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, aggravated battery, contempt of court and other charges. All total, Knight has been arrested and charged with thirty-one criminal offenses.
While surveilling the parking lot, officers observed a vehicle driven by David Thomassen, age 37 and a resident of Tullos Road. Passengers inside the vehicle were Laken Chantelle Harris, age 34 and a resident of Skeet Statham Road and Cecelia Dykes, age 44 and a resident of Dogwood Valley. As officers observed, Dykes exited the vehicle in possession of a bag of clothing intended for an inmate.
Dykes entered the lobby of the jail and turned the bag over to the jail investigator who immediately searched the contents of the bag and discovered illegal drugs which were concealed inside shower shoes. The deputy seized the contraband drugs and placed Dykes under arrest. Dykes physically resisted the arrest and was restrained and handcuffed. A search of Dykes’ personal property revealed additional illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. Dykes was booked into the Washington Parish Jail on charges of distribution of illegal drugs, introduction of contraband into the jail, possession of illegal drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer. According to jail records, this is her first time to be locked up in the Washington Parish Jail.
While Dykes was being arrested, officers in the parking lot blocked the vehicle driven by David Thomassen and arrested both Thomassen and Laken Knight. Both were handcuffed and placed in the Washington Parish Jail.
Thomassen was booked on charges of introduction of contraband into the jail and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has eleven previous stays in the Washington Parish Jail beginning with a 2007 arrest for disturbing the peace and resisting arrest. Since that time, he has been arrested for offenses including driving while intoxicated, theft, distribution of drugs, theft, possession of stolen property, failure to appear in court, criminal damage to property, being a fugitive from another jurisdiction and criminal trespass. Throughout the years, Thomassen has been charged with nineteen criminal offenses.
Harris was booked into the parish jail on charges of introduction of contraband into the jail and obstructing a public passage. This is her ninth arrest since 2016 for a variety of charges including second degree kidnapping, burglary, battery, resisting arrest, child desertion, possession of illegal drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, probation violation, parole violation, introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, sale of illegal drugs, disturbing the peace and failure to appear in court. In total, Harris has been charged with thirty-seven criminal offenses.
“Driving themselves to jail certainly saved us the expense of going out and looking for them,” stated Sheriff Randy Seal. “This has to make our top ten list of stupid criminal acts. I can’t say enough good things about the good work by our jail and narcotics deputies. Working together, they prevented drugs from entering the jail and taking those illegal drugs out of circulation. I do regret that we cannot publish the pictures of these criminal offenders; however, our state legislature has decided that we can no longer publish pictures of arrested individuals except in certain extreme situations. I believe the public has a right to know who they are. Unfortunately, my hands are tied, even though this one arrest involves four criminal offenders who collectively have committed at least eighty-eight criminal acts.”
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for December 19, 2022
Dustin Holden (age 38 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court, Driving Under Suspension, and Careless Operation With Accident by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Salvador Riggio (age 62 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Careless Operation With Accident, No Proof of Insurance, and Expired MVI by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
David Thomassen (age 37 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Attempted Intrroduction of Contraband to Penal Institute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Cecilia Dykes (age 44 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charges of Attempted Introduction of Contraband to Penal Institute, Distribution of Schedule III Drugs, Resisting an Officer (3 counts), Possession of Schedule II Drugs, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Bogalusa District A - 9th Annual "Christmas Give-a-way with Santa"
Gloria W. Kates, Bogalusa District A Councilwoman, has announced the the District's 9th Annual "Christmas Give-a-way with Santa" for children 8 and under who reside in District A; however, if you reside outside the district, no child will be turned away.
The event will be on Thursday, Dec 22, 2022 from 04:00- 05:30 pm at the Poplas Quarters Recreational Center at Dobbs and 1-JJ Piper (Next to Coach Mike "Michael Harrington Baseball Field).
All may wear your Christmas attire for the Christmas Pageantry. Please bring along your personal cameras for photos. Parents please accompany your child. Happy Blessed Holidays!
All Parish Businesses WPSO Checked Refused to Sell Alcohol to Minors
On December 13, 2022 the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a juvenile underage drinking enforcement check of eleven Washington Parish businesses. Each of the businesses which were visited by an underage purchaser refused to sell alcohol to the minor.
Those businesses which refused to sell alcohol to the underage purchaser were:
- Town Crier, Franklinton
- Winn-Dixie, Franklinton
- Market Max, Franklinton
- Chevron on Washington Street, Franklinton
- Hackley Hill Store, Hackley
- JZ Quick Stop, Bogalusa
- Walgreens, Bogalusa
- CVS, Bogalusa
- Pumping Station, Bogalusa
- Highway 10 One Stop, Bogalusa
- Chevron on Sunset Drive, Bogalusa
“This is good news,” stated Sheriff Randy Seal. “Louisiana law specifically requires age identification for alcohol purchasers. It is gratifying to know that our parish businesses are doing their part to keep alcohol out of the hands of underage buyers. I congratulate our local businesses for enforcing the age limit and hope we never have to report any parish business for violating the age requirement for purchasing alcohol. We will be making additional checks during the holiday season.”
Truth in Nature - Franklinton Chapter
The Truth in Nature Franklinton chapter is one of 20 in the United States. The Franklinton chapter has 14 boys registered and 10 men registered as mentors. Their mission is to mentor and teach fatherless and single parent boys about Christ and overall how to be a Godly man in today’s society. This ranges from home life, school, hunting and fishing and just everyday dealings. We are accepting any boys that meet the qualification of being single parent and grades 5th-12th.
Contact Program Director Country Tynes at 504-400-8748 for further information or email country.tynes@truthinnature.org
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
(click image below for a clearer picture)
December 19, 2022
Bogalusan Indicted by Federal Grand Jury – Faces Up to 15 Years in Prison
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Jerome Shaquille Wilson, aka “Rome,” age 27 and a resident of Bogalusa, Louisiana, was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 15, 2022 for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Federal law prohibits individuals who have been convicted of certain crimes from possessing firearms after being convicted.
The indictment charges that Wilson had been convicted January 13, 2013 for Aggravated Battery and on April 6, 2021 for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Further, the indictment charges that Wilson was in possession of a firearm and ammunition on December 6, 2022.
If convicted, Wilson faces up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, a period of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.
U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
In a separate matter, Wilson was identified by Bogalusa Police on November 4, 2022 as wanted for Obstruction of Justice in connection with the murder of Jerry Smith outside of Lumberjack stadium during a football game on October 14, 2022. Click here for that story
Washington Parish is Now a "Storm Ready Parish"
Washington Parish Government, through the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, has received recognition as being "STORM READY" by the National Weather Service. Washington Parish is 1 out of 24 parishes throughout our 64 Parish state to be so recognized. Lauren Nash of the National Weather Service presented the "Storm Ready Parish" sign.
Pictured from left to right (back row) are: Brandon LaSalle, Franklinton Fire Chief, Richard N. Thomas, Jr., Washington Parish President, Jim Coleman, Washington Parish Communications District, Ken Wheat, Washington Parish Director of Public Works, (front row): Bobbi Jo Breland, Jordan Dykes, Washington Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness, Lauran Nash, Wendy Perette, Bogalusa Mayor, Donna W. Graham, Washington Parish Director of Finance, and Alex Sumrall, Washington Parish Quality Assurance.
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