Gary Brock
November 29, 1951 - June 18, 2023
June 20, 2023
Tropical Disturbances Today
Disturbance 1. Tropical storm Bret is located about 1130 miles east of the Southern Windward Islands and moving west at 17 MPH. Maximum sustained winds are 40 MPH and is expected to strengthen and could become a hurricane in a couple of days.
Disturbance 2. Eastern Tropical Atlantic (AL93): A tropical wave located several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands is gradually showing signs of organization. Environmental conditions appear conducive for further development of this system and a tropical depression will likely form during the next couple of days while the system moves westward at 10 to 15 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic. Formation chance through 48 hours...high...70 percent and formation chance through 7 days...high...80 percent.
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Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today Showers and thunderstorms. High near 89. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tonight Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Sunny, with a high near 91. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Thursday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the evening.
June 19, 2023
Two Found Guilty of Bogalusa 2nd Degree Murder and Armed Robbery
District Attorney Warren Montgomery reports that on June 16, 2023 a 12-person Washington Parish jury deliberated for 2 hours before handing down a verdict, finding Aaron Little, Jr., age 19 and Willie Cherry, Jr., age 17, guilty of second-degree murder and armed robbery of Larmond “LG” Godbold.
In February of 2021, at around 8 P.M., Our Lady of the Angel’s Hospital reported to Bogalusa Police that there was a gunshot victim in the emergency room. By the time officers arrived, the victim had succumbed to his injuries.
The victim’s girlfriend, who was at the hospital with the victim, relayed to police what she’d witnessed. She stated that she drove the victim to a house to meet an acquaintance who wished to purchase marijuana from the victim. After the transaction with the acquaintance was completed in the driveway of a residence, three males wearing dark hoodies exited the house and approached the car. The victim’s girlfriend said that a gun was held up to the victim’s head and one of the attackers grabbed a bag of marijuana from the victim’s lap. She tried to hit the gun away from the victim’s head and put the car in reverse to drive away, but a single shot fired and hit the victim in the chest. She then drove straight to the hospital.
Police investigated the case and learned the identities of the suspects: Aaron Little Jr., known as “JR,” Willie Cherry, known as “Wooski,” and a third perpetrator who cooperated with the prosecution. The three perpetrators were tracked to Slidell at a gas station and taken into custody. Traveling in two different cars at the time of their arrest, the three perpetrators were traveling to Illinois, where they had lived until a few months before the murder. All three perpetrators had weapons at the time of the crime, and all three weapons were recovered from a vehicle in which Little was traveling. A firearms examination determined one of the three handguns to be the murder weapon.
The third suspect cooperated with the District Attorney’s Office, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and armed robbery, received a sentence of forty years at hard labor, and testified against the other two defendants at trial.
During trial, the defense attorneys challenged the truthfulness of the state’s witnesses, and at one point suggested that the victim’s girlfriend was not truthful about events leading up to the shooting. Assistant District Attorney Doug Freese, who prosecuted the case with Assistant District Attorney Luke Lancaster told the jury, “LG was shot when [his girlfriend] knocked the gun away from his head and put the car in reverse. But she is not the reason LG is dead. Three young men decided that they would all carry firearms out to that car, use a show of force to impose their will on LG and then one of them shot him and ended his life.”
The penalty for second degree murder alone, is life imprisonment. The maximum sentence for armed robbery is ninety-nine years at hard labor. However, because the defendants were juveniles at the time of the offense, a determination will be made before the sentence is imposed as to whether either Little and Cherry will be eligible for parole at some point in the future.
District Judge Ellen Creel presided over the case. The defendants are scheduled for sentencing on July 11, 2023.
The Bogalusa Police Department conducted the investigation.
Three Arrested / Drugs and 6 Guns Seized Following Joint Investigation Between STPSO, Hancock County SO
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The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division conducted a joint investigation with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office which culminated Friday (June 16, 2023) with the arrests of three people, the execution of two residential search warrants and the seizure of a large cache of drugs and firearms.
In total, STPSO detectives seized approximately one quarter pound of methamphetamine, nearly a half-pound of marijuana, Adderall, Sildenafil Citrate tablets, 7.5 doses of LSD, assorted drug paraphernalia associated with the use and distribution of illegal drugs and six firearms, one of which was reported stolen out of Zachary.
Arrested were
- 58 year-old James E Daspit of Slidell on the charges of Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana, Illegal Carrying of Weapons, Possession of Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Felonies, Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
- 52 year-old Jay Scott Scroggins of Pearl River on the charges of Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Amphetamine, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession with the Intent to Distribute LSD, Illegal Carrying of Weapons, Possession of Legend Drug Without a Prescription, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- 55 year-old Michael J. Fitzgerald of Pearl River on the charge of Resisting an Officer after he attempted to flee while detectives were executing one of the search warrants.
“Crime knows no boundaries and neither does good police work,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “We will continue to work with our partners in surrounding jurisdictions to identify and arrests those individuals responsible for bringing illegal drugs into St. Tammany Parish. I want to personally thank the members of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this case.”
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for June 17-18, 2023
Harold Tate (age 73 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Attempted Theft Over 1000, Criminal Damage to Property Under 1000, and Failure to Appear by the Franklinton Police Department. Bond set at $4750.00.
Myron Mark (age 32 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Domestic Abuse Battery. No bond set at this time.
Latajdrion Beck (age 20 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of CDS With Weapon Present, Possession of Marijuana (2nd Offense), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Schedule 1 Drugs, Open Container in Vehicle, and Possession of Alcohol by Person Under 21 by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Shawanda Roberts (age 39 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Aggravated Battery, Encouraging or Contributing to Child Delinquency Dependency or Neglect, Child Desertion, Child Restraint Violation, Contempt of Court, and Failure to Appear (2 counts). No bond set at this time.
Alexis Wise (age 25 with Pearl River, La. address) was booked on the charge of Disturbing the Peace/Drunkenness by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Tropical Disturbances Today
Disturbance 1. Central Tropical Atlantic (AL92): The area of low pressure located roughly midway between Africa and the Lesser Antilles has become better organized overnight and is close to becoming a tropical cyclone. Advisories could be initiated on a tropical depression later today. This system is forecast to move generally westward at 15 to 20 mph with further development across the central tropical Atlantic through the middle part of this week. Formation chance through 48 hours...high...near 100 percent and formation chance through 7 days...high...near 100 percent.
Disturbance 2. Eastern Tropical Atlantic: A tropical wave is located several hundred miles south-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Further development of this system is possible, and a tropical depression could form within the next few days while the system moves westward at 10 to 15 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic. Formation chance through 48 hours...low...30 percent and formation chance through 7 days...medium...40 percent.
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Juneteenth A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 110. West wind around 15 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the evening. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night Showers and thunderstorms likely before 4am, then a slight chance of showers. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 70. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
June 18, 2023
Tropical Disturbances Today
Eastern Tropical Atlantic (AL92): Showers and thunderstorms continue to show signs of organization in association with a tropical wave located several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Environmental conditions appear conducive for additional development, and a tropical depression is likely to form over the next day or two. This system is expected to move westward at 15 to 20 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic through the middle part of the week. Formation chance through 48 hours...high...80 percent and formation chance through 7 days...high...90 percent.
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Some of the storms could be severe. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 110. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Tonight A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8pm and 5am. Some of the storms could be severe. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 15 mph.
Juneteenth Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 109. Southwest wind around 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 73. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
June 17, 2023
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Washington Parish Jail Bookings for June 16, 2023
Nicholas McElveen (age 30 with Mt. Hermon, La. address) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $150.00.
Jennifer McDaniel (age 50 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked In From Court
Quantrell Porter (age 45 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Second Degree Battery and Keeping a Disorderly Place by the Bogalusa Police Department. Released on $10000.00 bond.
Tropical Disturbances Today
Eastern Tropical Atlantic: A tropical wave is located several hundred miles south-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Environmental conditions appear conducive for additional development, and a tropical depression is likely to form by the early to middle portion of next week while the system moves westward at 15 to 20 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic. Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...40 percent and formation chance through 7 days...high...70 percent.
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, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 112. Southwest wind 10 to 15 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, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight.
Sunday A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 107. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 10 mph.
Juneteenth A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Monday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
June 16, 2023
Crook Faces 20 Years in Prison for Defrauding the Elderly – Case Began in Tangipahoa Parish
Christopher L. Keel, age 52 and of Tampa, Florida, pleaded guilty on Wednesday (June 14, 2023) to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and false impersonation of an employee or officer of the United States, arising from his actions to defraud elderly victims in Louisiana and Washington State, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. United States District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle scheduled Keel’s sentencing for October 11, 2023. Keel faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment.
Keel was arrested on April 4, 2022 by Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies in Hammond while attempting to further defraud a 77-year-old woman identified as Victim A. Keel and his co-conspirators, posing as U.S. Department of Treasury agents, bilked Victim A out of $120,000.00. They then instructed her to hand over the remaining funds from her accounts. However, Victim A's bank contacted her son, who called the police, who nabbed Keel in the mall parking lot in Hammond.
Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) continued the investigation and learned that Keel and his co-conspirators had defrauded Victim B, a 76 year-old woman from Seattle, Washington, of $300,000.00 and Victim C, a 80 year-old woman from Bossier Parish, Louisiana, of $36,000.00.
Since October 2021, Keel and his co-conspirators caused approximately $4,498,327 in actual and attempted losses to 31 victims located throughout the United States.
Pedestrian Killed in Tangipahoa Parish Crash
Last night (June 15, 2023), shortly before 9:30 p.m., Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L began investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian on LA Hwy 3234 near Patti Road in Tangipahoa Parish. The crash claimed the life of 53-year-old Susan Johnson of Hammond.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the crash occurred as Johnson was walking south attempting to cross LA Hwy 3234. At the same time, a 2020 Nissan Altima was westbound on LA Hwy 3234 in the right lane. For reasons still under investigation, the Nissan struck the pedestrian in the right westbound lane of LA Hwy 3234. After initial impact with the Nissan, Johnson was then struck by a 2007 Toyota Yaris that was also westbound on LA Hwy 3234 and directly behind the Nissan.
Johnson sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. She was pronounced deceased on the scene. The drivers of the Nissan and the Toyota were both properly restrained and uninjured. As part of the ongoing investigation, toxicology samples were obtained from Johnson and both drivers for analysis.
Pedestrians and motorists are urged to remain vigilant while on roadways and pay close attention to their surroundings. Crashes involving pedestrians can often be avoided by following some basic safety guidelines. Pedestrians should wear light-colored or reflective clothing and should avoid walking on the roadway in dark areas. Pedestrians must assume that approaching motorists cannot see them, especially at night. Pedestrians should cross roadways in well-lit, designated areas and should always walk facing traffic. These simple steps can enhance safety for pedestrians.
Major Cyber Attack – Louisianans Data Exposed to Cyber Attackers
Governor Edwards has advised that Louisiana’s Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) is one of a still undetermined number of government entities, major businesses and organizations to be affected by the unprecedented MOVEit data breach.
MOVEit is an industry-leading third party data transfer service used to send large files. It is widely used across the country and around the world, and reports are rapidly emerging of newly discovered exposures of sensitive data in this major international cyber attack.
There is no indication at this time that cyber attackers who breached MOVEit have sold, used, shared or released the OMV data obtained from the MOVEit attack. The cyber attackers have not contacted state government. But all Louisianans should take immediate steps to safeguard their identity.
OMV believes that all Louisianans with a state-issued driver’s license, ID, or car registration have likely had the following data exposed to the cyber attackers: Name, Address, Social Security Number, Birthdate, Height, Eye Color, Driver’s License Number, Vehicle Registration Information, and Handicap Placard Information.The Governor's office recommends all Louisianans take the following steps immediately:
- 1. Prevent Unauthorized New Account Openings or Loans and Monitor Your Credit. Individuals can freeze and unfreeze their credit for free, which stops others from opening new accounts and borrowing money in your name. Freezing your credit does not prevent the use of any existing credit cards or bank accounts. Freezing your credit may be done quickly online or by contacting the three major credit bureaus by phone: 1) Experian, 1-888-397-3742, www.experian.com/freeze 2) Equifax, 1-800-685-1111, www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/ 3) TransUnion, (888) 909-8872, www.transunion.com/credit-freeze. Please also request and review your credit report from these agencies to look for suspicious activity.
- 2. Change All Passwords. As an additional precaution, consider changing all passwords for online accounts (examples: banking, social media, and healthcare portals) in the event your personal data was used to access these accounts. Utilize multi-factor authentication when able. Learn more about password protection at www.CISA.gov.
- 3. Protect Your Tax Refund and Returns with the Internal Revenue Service. To prevent someone else from filing returns or receiving your federal tax refund, request an “Identity Protection Pin” from the Internal Revenue Service by signing up at: https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin or calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
- 4. Check your Social Security Benefits. All individuals who are eligible, applied for, and/or are receiving social security benefits (including disability), please consider registering for a ssa.gov account at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ to stop others from stealing your benefits. If you suspect Social Security fraud, call the Office of Inspector General hotline at 1-800-269-0271, Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or file a complaint online at oig.ssa.gov.
- 5. Report Suspected Identity Theft. If you suspect any abnormal activity involving your data, including financial information, contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit www.ReportFraud.FTC.gov immediately.
The State of Louisiana will be issuing additional information in the coming days. Additional tips on protecting your data and identity can be found at nextsteps.la.gov and www.IdentityTheft.gov.
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