LA 3292 (Isabel Swamp Road) Eastbound and Westbound, St. Tammany Parish is scheduled for road construction and full closure beginning Tuesday, January 07, 2025 and ending Friday, January 24, 2025. The closure is from LA 16 to LA 40
Motorists and emergency vehicles will need to use LA 16, LA 21 and LA 40 as a detour route.
Restrictions: There will not be any through traffic access on LA 3292 (Isabel Swamp Road).
The Washington Parish Sheriff's Office advises that 41 year-old Derrick Terrell Fairley, with an address of Military Road in Angie, was arrested on Wednesday (December 18, 2024) and charged with 2nd Degree Murder and Distribution of a Schedule II Controlled Substance.
On December 15, 2024, WPSO officers were notified of a possible overdose death on Wardline Rd. in Bogalusa. An investigation determined that the narcotics had come from Fairley, and on December 16, 2024 he was originally arrested and charged with Distribution of a Schedule II Controlled Substance. After a preliminary toxicology report confirmed that the victim’s death had been caused by an overdose of fentanyl that had been purchased from Fairley, he was subsequently charged with 2nd Degree Murder. Fairley is currently being held at the Washington Parish Jail with bond set at $200,000.00.
The WPSO press release states, “We remain committed to prosecuting those responsible for overdose deaths, and will continue to collaborate with neighboring agencies and the District Attorney to swiftly apprehend and charge narcotics dealers in our community when their actions result in an overdose death. This is part of a larger effort to target and address drug abuse problems, further ensuring the safety and peace of Washington Parish residents.”
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, four new Washington Parish Sheriff's Office deputies graduated with class 52 from the Capital Area Regional Training Academy (CARTA). This 16-week course prepared deputies for their careers through rigorous training in physical fitness, marksmanship and weapons handling, legal practices, defensive tactics, and classroom instruction. Over 600 hours of coursework gave graduates the tools they need to be effective and successful in their new roles as deputy sheriffs.
The WPSO press release stated, “We are proud of our deputies and wish them all a long and successful career. They were bold enough to take the challenge of going to CARTA, and their performance there was particularly noteworthy. They will now begin their Field Training Officer (FTO) program in which they will be trained and supervised by qualified Washington Parish Deputy Sheriffs. Once certified, they will be assigned to one of the districts in the Parish and will work tirelessly to preserve the peace, protect the lives, rights, and property of our residents, and promote the general welfare of our citizens.”
Sheriff Jason Smith and a group of current officers and staff were honored to attend the graduation, held at Journey Church in Central, LA. From left to right: Deputy Keaton Ruffino, Deputy Shawn Jones, Sheriff Jason Smith, Deputy Logan Ussery, and Deputy Mark Taylor.
Anthony Morris (age 47 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Driving During Darkness With Parking Lights, Driving Under Suspension, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Schedule II Drugs (2 counts), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Damien Thomas (age 24 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Principle to Illegal Use of Dangerous Weapons (2 counts), Principle to Assault by Drive-by Shooting, and Contempt of Court by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
The photo of persons pictured were released by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office in accordance with their updated policy, guided by legal and ethical considerations.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Harold Reed, age 50 and of the Slidell-area, has been charged with felony hit and run following an incident which occurred shortly after 6 p.m. on December 3, 2024. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s patrol deputies were dispatched in reference to a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle on Browns Village Road near Palm Drive in Slidell.
The pedestrian sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital. He has since been released.
Members of the STPSO Traffic Division were called in to assist with the case, and their investigation uncovered that Harold Reed was driving a Mercury Grand Marquis on Browns Village Road when he struck the pedestrian, who appeared to be attempting to cross the road. Reed had left the scene before deputies arrived.
Reed was arrested and booked in to the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on Tuesday (December 17, 2024) on one count each of Felony Hit and Run, No Driver’s License and No Insurance. Additional charges are possible.
The Investigative Process, Integrity and Justice
The Franklinton Police Department and other agencies receive frequent inquiries and often social media criticisms regarding criminal or civil issues.
In order to dispel misinformation and be as transparent as possible, without negatively affecting the investigative process, we are providing the following information.
When a law enforcement agency receives a complaint, the first step is the initial report, this can be done in person or over the phone.
The report is assigned a tracking number by our dispatchers and the reporting officer begins the evidence collection process. If the case requires further investigation, it's assigned to the investigations division.
Once an investigator is assigned a case, it is their responsibility to further the investigative process. This process can include speaking with the initial reporting officer, interviewing witnesses, collecting video, crime lab submittals, search warrants, search and seizures, victim interviews, suspect interviews, arrest warrants, and a myriad of other investigative techniques to develop a prosecutable case and/or determine if a violation of the law has been committed. Cases involving juveniles are exceptionally complex and require more specialized care.
Often times, the public may be aware of a complaint which has been filed and public opinion demands an arrest be made immediately. Although we understand the sentiment, taking premature action is problematic on many levels and can adversely affect the outcome of a case or worse, an innocent person can be subjected to the criminal justice system without due process.
Simply because an arrest isn't made immediately or our agency doesn't make a press release regarding the situation, doesn't mean "nothing is being done" or "it's just another cover-up." To the contrary, it means we are diligently following the investigative process. Despite the public's desire for unfettered information, we will not compromise the integrity of an investigation for the sole intent of feeding social media timelines, clicks, likes, or being first to break the story. Doing so is irresponsible, unjust and a violation of the oath we swore to protect.
The investigative process takes time, a lot of time, and a lot of manpower. Several factors determine how expedient or prolonged a case may take to investigate and this is often out of the control of the investigator. Victim cooperation and search warrants involving computers, video, cell phones, and other data sources are the most time-consuming.
I often have conversations with people who question "why nothing has been done." I explain to them, that things are being done, you just aren't priviledge to the information and it doesn't fall within your perceived timeline of how fast you believe it should go. This can be frustrating for them and for us as well. We all want justice to be served in a fair and impartial manner. I convey to them, "What if this were you and you were the subject of our investigation. Would you want us to arrest you at the onset of a complaint, without collecting all the evidence, without following the investigative process, and without affording you due process?" "Would you want your picture posted on social media or in the news, followed by a story detailing what someone else said you did without sufficient evidence to substantiate the claim? Or, would you prefer we follow the law, consult with our District Attorney, present inculpatory/exculpatory evidence, and potentially prove your innocence? What if we conduct a lackluster investigation and the defendant isn't held to account because we hurried the process? I am morally certain we all desire justice. Despite a person's guilt or innocence, our nation and the rule of law are founded on these principles.
Public opinion and social media posts do not dictate the manner in which justice is served or the expediency an arrest is made, at least not by an agency that maintains a high degree of integrity with regard to the investigative process.
Rest assured, the Franklinton Police Department takes every complaint seriously. If we haven't commented on a matter, this is often an indication the case is high profile in nature. We will provide information to the public when evidence is available and it does not or will not effect our ability to gather additional evidence or otherwise present a prosecutable case to the District Attorney.
In closing, social media and media outlets can be a positive source of information, when used appropriately and when facts are presented. Unfortunately, we now live in a society where anyone can say what they want, truth aside, for the sole intent of "you heard it here first." Opinions, lacking in fact, procedure and law are just that, opinions. They must be taken with a degree of relevance, absent a degree of experience, information, and accountability.
God Bless,
Chief Justin Brown
Christopher Magee (age 40 with Mt. Hermon, La. address) was booked In From Court
Brandon Yent (age 26 with Ponchatoula, La. address) was booked on the charge of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction by the Franklinton Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Kierra Williams (age 28 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Obstruction of Justice/Evidence Tampering and Accessory After the Fact by the Bogalusa Police Department. Released on $5000.00 bond.
Etric Peterson (age 41 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Aggravated Flight From an Officer, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Open Container in Vehicle, Resisting an Office, Principle to Criminal Damage, and Driving While Intoxicated by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Deangelo Jones (age 21 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charge of Simple Burglary by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released December 17, 2024 - No bond information available.
Kenae Pigott (age 39 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charge of Possession of Schedule II Drugs by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released on $5000.00 bond.
Jamaal Holts (age 38 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Derrick Fairley (age 41 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charge of Distribution of Schedule II CDS by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Eddie Roberts (age 49 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Proper Equipment Required, Prohibited Acts, Failure to Provide Proper Info, Possession of Schedule II Drugs, Illegal Carrying of a Firearm Used in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, Failure to Appear (2 counts), and Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $20000.00.
Chasity Branch (age 28 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charges of Theft Less Than 1000, Possession of Schedule 1 Drugs, and Possession of Schedule IV Drugs by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Collin Cassidy (age 31 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.
Kelvin Thomas (age 59 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court (2 counts) by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
The photo of persons pictured were released by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office in accordance with their updated policy, guided by legal and ethical considerations.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Tuesday (December 17, 2024) evening's meeting of the Bogalusa City Council meeting started off with
the election by Council members of a new Council President and Vice-President. District A Councilwoman Gloria Kates was unanimously elected Council President for the coming year and District E Councilman Mark Irvine was unanimously elected Vice-President.
A Resolution to resolve the purposed relocation of Bogalusa City Council Chambers and Council Secretary’s Desk and Office was removed from the Agenda. The issue has been resolved and the locations of Bogalusa City Council Chambers and Council Secretary’s Desk and Office is unchanged.
A Resolution was added to the Agenda regarding a FAA grant for improvements at the George R. Carr Memorial Airport. The Resolution was approved.
Five Ordinances were introduced. Public Hearings and votes on the Ordinances will be at the January 7, 2024 Council meeting.
A Public Hearing was held on an Ordinance to dedicate the remaining balance of the American Rescue Plan Funds to Water & Sewer Infrastructure. The Council voted to approve the Ordinance by a 5-2 vote..
An Ordinance to allocate remaining ARPA Funds and Enacting the Better Bogalusa 2025 was also on the Agenda for a Public Hearing. A Motion was made to consider the Ordinance but failed due to the Motion not receiving a second. However, Mayor Truong, who was in favor of this proposed Ordinance, came to the podium to describe what the Ordinance and his plan contained. Following failure of approval of the Ordinance, the Mayor left the meeting and did not return. Later, in a Facebook post on the City of Bogalusa's FB page, the Mayor is highly critical of the Council for not approving his plan. However, it is apparent that the Council's primary concern was fixing the water and sewer problems, a major and developing issue.
Discussion of both Agenda items begins at 17:30 into the video and mainly centered around whether or not all of the funds would be dedicated to water and sewer infrastructure.
A number of residents spoke during Public Participation, which begins at 58:00 into video.
There were no additional Administrative Remarks and additional comments by Council Persons followed. Notable are the remarks made by Councilman O'ree, describing previous conflicts with the Mayor and his staff, beginning at 01:35:00
