You Are Not Ready for Prison! LaSalle Eighth Graders Hear Prisoners Speak

“You are not ready for prison! Prison is not for you. Go to school and be something. Anything you can be.” These words were spoken by an LCC inmate who realized his life choices had led him down a path for which he was unprepared and did not want.

LaSalle Sheriff Scott Franklin and LCC Warden Jeff Windham wanted 8^th grade students of LaSalle Parish Schools to realize the potential consequences of negative choices in life.  To accomplish this, the Youth Crime Awareness Program was created with the goal of making the consequence of time in prison a reality to the students.  The reality was achieved by having students tour the LaSalle Correctional Center.

Eighth grade students in LaSalle Parish listen intently as an inmate at LaSalle Correctional Center in Urania tells about choices he made which caused him to be an inmate at the prison. The students were able to tour the prison and listen to some of the inmates tell their stories through the Youth Crime Awareness Program, instituted this year by Sheriff Scott Franklin and LCC Warden Jeff Windham.

After they toured LCC’s dorms and holding cell, students listened as inmates shared the stories of how their life choices led them down a path of crime, destruction and ultimately, prison life. According to the inmates, as teenagers, they disobeyed their parents, associated with the wrong crowds and sneaked around to use tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. They wanted to “fit in” and “be cool” like their friends.  That led them to want expensive cars, clothes and other material things, which soon led to drug dealing. They have regrets, now.

 “The choices I made not only affected my life but the life of my parents and my children. Also, I think about my decision to sell drugs to that mom with her child in the back seat. Where is that child today? Is she using drugs because of my choice to sell drugs to her mom? I worry about her and other people whose lives I changed because of my choices”, stated an inmate.

The inmates are quoted as saying, “You have the ability to chart your own course and freedom is the ability to choose”.  “You lose your freedom when you are in prison. The freedom to choose what to wear, to eat and other simple things taken for granted,” one said.

The inmates have lost relationships with friends and family because of their bad choices. One is quoted as saying, “When someone arrives for the first time, they want to be all bad but they still cry. They cry because their freedom has been taken and they can no longer see their family. Your momma can’t save you from prison”.

When the students were asked for comments, a student said that when she walked through the door, her eyes were opened and she realized she needed to help others and make better decisions for herself. She never thought before that the choices she was making were bad.

Another student realized her mom does love her after listening to the inmates’ testimonies. After hearing their stories, she now realizes that no matter how many times she said she hated her mom, her mom does love her. She can change what she has become before she ends up in jail.

Warden Windham stated, “I feel like the Youth Crime Awareness Program will benefit the youth of the parish by showing the results of wrong decisions.  Most youth have never been introduced to a prison environment to see what a life of crime and bad decision-making leads to.  We plan to continue to conduct this program every year so that we can possibly make a difference in the lives of youth of this parish.  I have personally experienced the impact this program is making on the youth of our parish, and have received numerous phone calls from parents and grandparents thanking us for this program.”

Sheriff Franklin commented, “I feel this program will be one of the greatest influences on the lives of our children. Every young person needs to visit a prison, listen to the inmates tell their stories, and realize they too could end up here if they make wrong decisions in life.”

“Our D.A.R.E. program is a great asset in teaching our children about drug abuse, peer pressure, and cyber-bullying, along with other things,” Franklin said. “But the Youth Crime Awareness Program allows students to see first hand what can happen when they listen to so-called ‘friends’ and start following a dangerous path.”

“I, along with the staff of the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office, are committed to helping our young people learn valuable lessons that we hope will stay with them throughout the lives,” he said. “We are glad to be able to join caring parents by helping our youth learn these valuable lessons.”

Inmates who met with LaSalle 8^th grade students at LaSalle Correctional Center in Urania, to give their advice and own life testimonies, are praying that this information will keep these children on the right track.  “Our purpose is not to welcome you, but make sure you never walk in here again,” an inmate said.

By Jenny Parker

D.A.R.E. Officer/Community Relations

Three Law Enforcement Agencies Join Efforts to Capture Suspected Thief Suspected Thief Wanted in Other Parishes on Similar Charges

Three law enforcement agencies, the Jena Police Department, the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana State Police joined efforts on Monday, June 10, 2013, to capture a man who reportedly stole a television set from the Jena Wal-Mart.  In turn, this arrest may help solve other crimes committed by a theft ring which operated in more than one state.

According to Jena Chief of Police Paul Smith, the alleged theft occurred inside the Jena City limits.  A chase of the suspect began in Jena, but ended with his capture just off LA 3104 in the Midway Community.

Around 10:25 AM, June 10, 2013, Joseph Marguis, Jr., 28, of Pineville, LA, reportedly walked out of the Jena Walmart carrying a television set. Wal-Mart employees, who believed that he had not paid for the television, quickly called 911 as Marguis sped his late model tan Ford Explorer out of the Wal-Mart parking lot.

The LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office dispatcher immediately notified all police units in the area to be on the lookout for the vehicle, which was believed to be headed west on U.S. 84.  LaSalle Parish Sheriff, Scott Franklin, heard the dispatch, saw the vehicle heading east instead of west and notified Jena PD Officer, Todd Roark, who was east of Jena on US 84.

Roark began traveling west on US 84 and met the vehicle. Roark turned to pursue the vehicle and observed the driver turn onto Carpenter Street.  The driver of the Explorer ignored Roark’s emergency lights and siren. At 10:27 AM, Officer Roark notified LPSO that the driver would not stop the vehicle and continued pursuit.  Marguis took a left onto East Bradford Street traveling west. Sheriff Franklin stationed himself at the intersection of U.S. 127 and West Bradford Street. When Marguis arrived at the intersection, he failed to stop at the stop sign and crossed LA 127, nearly losing control of his vehicle.

Sheriff Franklin, Deputies Damin Dozier and Mike Barber, along with Officer Roark continued the pursuit west on West Bradford Street to LA 3104 (Midway Cutoff Road). Marquis turned right on LA 3104 toward US 84.

At the intersection of US 84 and LA 3104 (in front of Midway Baptist Church), Marguis’ vehicle collided with another vehicle. Even though he heavily damaged this vehicle, Marguis continued to evade law officers and headed west on US 84.  Jena PD Officer, Roark, stopped at the scene to assist.  The LA State Police responded to a call to investigate the wreck.

Marguis turned onto Hina Chata Street, passed in front of The Twisted Feather, went into the nearby neighborhood, left his now disabled vehicle on King Street, and continued on foot.

Officers with the LPSO, both on foot and in vehicles, searched the Midway area for the suspect. Chief Deputy Sheriff, Jimmy Arbogast, and LPSO detectives joined the chase, along with Deputy Sheriff, Jeremy Roark, and K-9 Judy, the LPSO’s bloodhound.

Shortly thereafter, Marguis was spotted in the Grand Oaks Trailer Park on the Midway cutoff.  K-9 Judy immediately picked up his trail and flushed him out of some bushes near the trailer park. Marguis surrendered and was taken into custody.

Officers later learned that Marquis had outstanding warrants for theft in Rapides and Ouachita Parishes and several counties in Mississippi. According to Rapides and Ouachita officials, it is believed that Marquis is part of a theft ring operating in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Jena police charged Marguis with theft less than $500, aggravated flight from an officer, failure to yield, reckless operation, driving under suspension, and no insurance.

Charges placed against Marguis by the LPSO and State Police include: hit and run, careless operation, driving under suspension, theft, aggravated flight from officer, failure to yield, no insurance and reckless operation.  His bond was set at $29,475.00.

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In the evening hours of June 13, 2013, LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Detectives were advised that a drug transaction would take place in the Jena Wal-Mart parking lot that evening.  Narcotics Detectives, Sheriff Scott Franklin, and other sheriff’s deputies then met to develop an operations plan for making the arrest as safely as possible.

Detectives began surveillance of suspects, when they drove a red SUV into the Wal-Mart parking lot and parked near the front of the building. The suspects entered the store and were seen exiting separately a few moments later.

The first suspect, Michael W. Butts, II, 31, of Natchez, MS, exited the garden center to complete the transaction; as the second suspect, Savanna D. Walker, 30, of Clayton, exited the front door and returned to the vehicle.

At this time, Narcotics Detectives Leland Guin and Brant King, along with Deputy Denny Pittman engaged the suspect, Michael Butts, II; while Sheriff Franklin and Deputy Billy Prince engaged his partner, Savanna Walker.  Butts denied having any illegal items on his person; however, a search by officers revealed suspected marijuana and methamphetamine in his pants pocket, along with a large amount of cash. Sheriff Franklin performed a search of the red SUV, driven by Butts and Walker, and found a package containing suspected marijuana and other illegal legend drugs inside the vehicle. Walker reportedly stated that the package did belong to her.

Walker gave a voluntary consent to search, which revealed multiple drug paraphernalia in her purse, all with suspected illegal narcotics on them.  A torch used for smoking was found in the driver door of the vehicle.

Michael Butts, II, was arrested and charged with the crimes of attempted distribution of CDS II (methamphetamines), possession of CDS II (methamphetamines) and possession of CDS I (marijuana).

Savanna Walker was arrested and charged with the crimes of possession of CDS I (marijuana), possession of CDS II (methamphetamines), possession of a legend drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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A 27-year-old Trout man was arrested on Saturday, June 8, after deputies with the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to an anonymous call that drugs were being sold at 169 Nick Lane.

When officers arrived at the residence, they observed from the threshold through the front door, in plain view, packages of what appeared to be synthetic marijuana.

Three men were present in the home and all three denied that the packages in question belonged to any of them. A packet of suspected synthetic marijuana was also found in the pants pocket of one of the men, identified as Jared Enterkin, 27, of Trout.

The owner of the property was contacted and consented to a search of the entire property. A search of the residence revealed a large amount of synthetic marijuana.

After a later interview of the occupants, Enterkin was arrested and charged with distribution of CDS I, synthetic cannabinoids. As of press time on Monday, June 10, 2013, Enterkin remained in the parish jail awaiting a bond hearing.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, but the problem is often excused or denied, especially when the abuse is psychological, rather than physical.  The first step to ending it is acknowledging the signs.  NO ONE should live in fear of the person they love.  Reach out; help is available.

Abuse is used for one purpose and one purpose only:  To gain and sustain total control over the victim.  Fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation are used by the abuser to wear down the victim and keep them under his or her thumb, often threatening to hurt them or those around you.  Abuse does not discriminate; it occurs among all ages, among male and females, ethnic backgrounds and economic status.  Abusive behavior is NEVER acceptable; a person deserves to feel valued, respected and safe.

Domestic abuse frequently escalates from threats and verbal abuse to violence.  Obviously, physical injury is the most dangerous, but the emotional and psychological consequences are also severe.  This type of relationship can destroy your self-worth, lead to anxiety and make you feel helpless and alone.  The first step to breaking free is recognizing the abusive situation, then asking for the help you need.

The most telling sign is fear of your partner.  If you feel that you must walk on eggshells around your partner, constantly watching what you say and do in order to “keep peace,” your relationship is likely to be unhealthy and abusive.

SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP 

Your Inner Thoughts and Feelings

DO YOU:

• Fear your partner much of the time?
• Avoid certain topics out of fear of angering your partner?
• Feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?
• Believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?
• Wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?
• Feel emotionally numb or helpless?

Your Partner’s Violent Behavior or Threats

DOES YOUR PARTNER:

• Have a bad and unpredictable temper?
• Hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?
• Threaten to take your children away or harm them?
• Force you to have sex?
• Destroy your belongings?

Your Partner’s Belittling Behavior

DOES YOUR PARTNER:

• Humiliate or yell at you?
• Criticize you and put you down?
• Treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends and family to see?
• Ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
• Blame you for their own abusive behavior?
• See you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?

Your Partner’s Controlling Behavior

DOES YOUR PARTNER:

• Act excessively jealous and possessive?
• Control where you go and what you do?
• Keep you from seeing your friends or family?
• Limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
• Constantly check on you?

Remember that ALL family members are harmed by domestic abuse, especially children.  Children who witness abuse or children who are abused themselves have a greater possibility of becoming bullies or becoming an abuser as an adult.  It is the parent’s responsibility to prevent family violence and end the cycle of abuse.

If you are coping with abuse or violence in your home, remember that IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT and that you are not alone.  DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP!   Please call the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office at 992-2151 for an emergency or the Victim Advocate at 318-992-2067, should you need assistance or have any questions.

Look for more information on domestic abuse in the coming months.

Jena Man Booked on Multiple Drug Charges

Three LaSalle Parish men were arrested on illegal narcotic charges, one of them on multiple counts, during the past two weeks by officers with the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office, according to Sheriff Scott Franklin.

While on routine patrol in the Good Pine community in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 30, an LPSO deputy witnessed a vehicle making an illegal turn.

A traffic stop was then initiated on West Thorla Street and the driver was identified as William Dale Keene, 37, of Jena.  When the deputy was advised that an active arrest warrant existed for Keene, he was placed under arrest.

At this time, LPSO narcotic detectives were called to the scene. A K-9 search of Keene’s vehicle revealed the presence of illegal narcotic drugs. During the subsequent search of the vehicle and occupant; methamphetamines, illegal prescription pills, and synthetic marijuana were found.

Keene was booked on charges of possession of CDS II (methamphetamines) with intent to distribute, possession of CDS IV (clonazepam) with intent to distribute, and possession of CDS I (synthetic marijuana).

As of press time on Monday, June 3, 2013 Keene remained in the LaSalle Parish Jail in lieu of a $170,500 bond.

Urania Arrest

LPSO narcotic detectives arrested two Urania men on drug charges after executing a narcotics search warrant on a residence in Urania.

The search warrant was obtained after detectives received information that two men were selling illegal drugs out of a residence at 2191 North Pine Street in Urania.

Upon entering the residence, officers found Bradley P. Street, 21, and Christopher R. Woodward, 17, inside the residence, along with a quantity of suspected marijuana and synthetic marijuana in two rooms of the residence.

Both individuals were questioned and both reportedly admitted to selling the illegal substances from the location.

Street and Woodward were each booked into the LaSalle Parish Jail on charges of possession of CDS I, marijuana, with intent to distribute, and possession of CDS I, synthetic marijuana, on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.

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A 36-year-old Jena man was killed early Sunday morning, May 26, 2013, in a crash involving a UTV vehicle.

Troopers responded to the wreck around 1:15 a.m., Sunday morning, which occurred on Parhams Road near LA Hwy 600 in Catahoula Parish.

The crash involved a Polaris UTV driven by Benjamin “Ben” Doyle Hailey, 36, of Jena.

The Polaris was westbound on Parhams Road when Hailey apparently lost control and exited the right side of the road. After exiting the roadway, Hailey overcorrected the UTV, which caused it to begin overturning. Hailey was not wearing a seatbelt or helmet. He was ejected and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash remained under investigation at press time on Monday, May 27, 2013.

Troopers remind the public that it is dangerous and illegal to operate off-road vehicles (i.e., three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and other all-terrain vehicles) on any public roadway in the state.

Troop E Troopers have investigated 18 fatal crashes in 2013.

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Mobile App Launched in Louisiana

Louisiana public safety partners announced a new cooperative endeavor entitled “See Something, Send Something” which will connect citizens and their mobile devices to criminal intelligence centers nationwide.

“See Something, Send Something” is a nationwide suspicious activity reporting (SAR) tool for citizens to help in the fight against terrorism and criminal activity. Additionally, the free app has information on what to look for and when to submit suspicious activity reports along with how to receive important alerts.

Public safety officials from the Louisiana State Police, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association (LSA) and the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police gathered at the Louisiana State Analytical and Fusion Exchange (LA-SAFE) at State Police Headquarters in Baton Rouge to announce the launch and discuss the capabilities of “See Something, Send Something.”

The system connects concerned citizens, first responders and law enforcement to key intelligence centers including LA-SAFE. The system routes geo-tagged suspicious activity reports and location-based messages to intelligence centers providing intel analysts the ability to receive, sort, search and analyze inbound SAR’s.

“See Something, Send Something” is a free Smartphone application which allows suspicious activity to be captured as a photo and as written text and sent directly to LA-SAFE where the tips and information can be evaluated and then forwarded to law enforcement across the state as needed.

“In order for law enforcement to truly be successful, we must have the cooperation and support of the public we serve,” said Colonel Mike Edmonson, State Police Superintendent. “This capability allows citizens to directly contribute to ensuring safer communities by reporting suspicious incidents to Fusion Center personnel, who are trained to evaluate, analyze, disseminate and request action from law enforcement partners across Louisiana.

GOHSEP Director Kevin Davis added, “We all know how important information from the public can be during a crisis. This app will help someone give emergency personnel the information they need during a time when every minute could be critical.”

LSA Director Mike Ranatza said, “The reporting of suspicious incidents and the intelligence gained from those reports are imperative to keeping our parishes safe. I am encouraged by the capabilities of this reporting tool which allows local citizens to report suspicious activity, then disseminates that information to deputies on the front line.”

The application is available at no cost for iPhone and Android phone users, as well as iPad users. The service, which is provided by Mobile Witness, Inc. uses privacy protection software for safeguarding the integrity of tips and citizens’ personal information. The system allows LA-SAFE to engage citizens without tracking location or storing of personal information. Submitted tips are immediately removed from the mobile device and purged from the My Mobile Witness system once delivered to the LA-SAFE center for analysis.

This system is not intended for emergency situations. For situations requiring an immediate response, call 911 or our local law enforcement directly.

For further information on this cooperative endeavor between public safety and My Mobile Witness, Inc., you may visit www.mymobilewitness.com/consumer-services.php.

LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office criminal investigators arrested an Olla woman on 12 counts of forgery Thursday, May 16, 2013, according to Sheriff Scott Franklin.

The investigation began Monday of last week when a business owner in Georgetown came to the Sheriff’s Office.  He reported that several checks had been stolen from his business, and that some of them had been cashed at different banks in LaSalle Parish.

Detectives found that these checks had been issued to Amanda King, an employee of the complainant.

King reportedly confessed to stealing and forging the checks, as well as others in other jurisdictions. She was booked in the LaSalle Parish Jail on 12 counts of forgery and bond was set at $50,000.

A LaSalle Parish Deputy Sheriff, patrolling in the Nebo Community Tuesday, May 14, 2013, observed a vehicle being driven in an erratic manner.

Upon making a traffic stop, the deputy came in contact with the driver, Rebecca E. Mathinson, 29, of Gonzales, La. Throughout the traffic stop; Mathinson appeared to be in a confused state. Suspicion was created when Mathinson told the officer that she lived south of Baton Rouge and was “headed to the beach”.

An LPSO K-9 was used to search the vehicle and a small amount of suspected marijuana was found inside the vehicle. Mathinson admitted to having another bag of suspected marijuana inside her clothing, which she handed over to the officer.

She was placed under arrest and charged with possession of CDS I, marijuana, and improper lane usage and she was held on a $5,250 bond.

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