Tagged News

• Donaldsonville mayoral candidate pleads guilty after being accused of selling stolen copper Play Video

  May 11, 2026 7:41 PM

  DONALDSONVILLE — A man who ran for mayor in Donaldsonville in 2023 pleaded guilty on Friday after he was arrested for allegedly stealing over 30,000 pounds of burned copper. According to court documents, between May 1, 2024, and Oct. 10, 2024, 69-year-old Glenn Price received about 31,348 pounds of... more »

• Former Zachary Fire captain avoids jail time after pleading guilty to molesting juvenile Play Video

  April 16, 2026 11:48 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A former Zachary Fire Department captain who pleaded guilty Thursday to molesting a juvenile will not serve time in prison. Jonathan Knight was arrested in April 2025 on charges of molestation of a juvenile and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. After initially pleading not... more »

• Jury finds St. Gabriel man guilty on gun charges in less than 5 minutes; DA says it's among quickest he's seen Play Video

  April 9, 2026 11:58 AM

  ST. GABRIEL — In less than five minutes, an Iberville Parish jury found a man guilty on gun charges, which District Attorney Tony Clayton says is one of the quickest verdicts he could recall. Jarrel Smith, 33, was arrested in September 2024 after deputies smelled a strong odor of... more »

• Man who pleaded guilty to setting ex's home on fire remains in custody following probation hearing

  March 30, 2026 12:05 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A man in jail for violating a protection order after he pleaded guilty to setting an ex-girlfriend's house on fire will remain in custody following a probation hearing in Baton Rouge on Monday. Texas lawyer Christian King , 31, initially pleaded guilty to aggravated arson in... more »

• Man found guilty of 2021 murder at the OYO Motel sentenced to life in prison Play Video

  January 23, 2026 12:03 PM

  DONALDSONVILLE — A man found guilty of a 2021 murder at the OYO Motel on La. 70 was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday. An Ascension Parish jury found 37-year-old Marty Leonard of Pierre Part guilty of second-degree murder and aggravated criminal damage to property in July for... more »

• Jury acquits ex-officer of charges he failed his duty to confront gunman in Texas school shooting Play Video

  January 21, 2026 8:58 PM

  CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — A former police officer was acquitted Wednesday evening of charges he failed in his duties to confront the gunman at an Uvalde, Texas, elementary school during the critical opening minutes of what would become one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. Jurors... more »

• Prairieville man pleads guilty to nearly 20 counts of child pornography Play Video

  September 22, 2025 12:09 PM

  PRAIRIEVILLE — A Prairieville man pleaded guilty to more than a dozen counts of child pornography, District Attorney Rick Babin's office said Monday. Frederick Lake, 37, was found guilty of four counts of possession of pornography involving juveniles and another 15 counts of possession of pornography involving juveniles under... more »

• Ponchatoula man found guilty of raping teenager in 2024 sentenced to 60 years behind bars Play Video

  September 18, 2025 6:39 AM

  PONCHATOULA — A Ponchatoula man was sentenced to 60 years in prison after he was found guilty of raping a teenager in 2024. Tyrone Leon Davis, Jr., 31, was found guilty of second-degree rape after a trial following his arrest in April 2024. According to the District Attorney's office,... more »

• Man who killed ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend in 2024 pleads guilty to manslaughter

  September 16, 2025 5:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The man who, while holding his child in his arms, killed his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend a year ago pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Tuesday. Tyrus Watson , 23, pleaded guilty to manslaughter after he was originally arrested for second-degree murder. In August of 2024, Watson... more »

• Tangipahoa Parish drug dealer pleads guilty to federal charges of selling meth, fentanyl

  September 9, 2025 7:42 PM

  NEW ORLEANS — A Tangipahoa Parish man pleaded guilty in federal court to dealing fentanyl and methamphetamines, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. On Aug. 28, Rodney Berry, 42, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, illegal use of a communications facility... more »

• Man receives probation after climbing into Zachary home's window to see underage girl, killing her father Play Video

  August 12, 2025 4:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A man arrested for the 2021 death of a Zachary homeowner was found guilty of reduced charges and sentenced to probation on Tuesday. On July 18, 2021, 34-year-old Dezmon Hamilton was shot and killed in his home. Police said that Nicholas Mcquirter, then 17, climbed through... more »

• Callihan pleads guilty to federal charges connected to murder, kidnapping of Loranger woman, daughters Play Video

  August 6, 2025 4:10 PM

  NEW ORLEANS — A man arrested last year for the murder of a Loranger woman and her daughter pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal kidnapping charges. In a New Orleans courtroom, Daniel Callihan pleaded guilty to kidnapping resulting in death and transportation of a minor to engage in criminal sexual... more »

• West Fel. Parish President Kenny Havard found guilty of simple battery, given citation Play Video

  July 22, 2025 6:13 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - The WBRZ Investigative Unit has learned that West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard was found guilty of simple battery for hitting another man in the face. According to Chuck Spillman, Havard assaulted him before a parish council meeting in December. Reporters were there that day... more »

• Sean 'Diddy' Combs is denied bail after mixed verdict clears him of top charges in sex crimes case Play Video

  July 2, 2025 10:19 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) — A judge declined Wednesday to grant bail to Sean “Diddy” Combs, meaning the hip hop mogul won’t go free while he awaits sentencing in his sex crimes case. The bond decision came after a jury convicted Combs of federal prostitution-related offenses but acquitted him of... more »

• Donaldsonville man could spend life in prison after pleading guilty to 2017 robbery, attempted murder

  May 6, 2025 2:09 PM

  DONALDSONVILLE — A Donaldsonville man currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for manslaughter may spend the rest of his life behind bars after pleading guilty to a 2017 attempted murder and armed robbery. Kahlil Howard, 27, pleaded guilty to shooting and attacking a man on the Sunshine Bridge in... more »

• Man who pleaded guilty to robbing Bluebonnet Boulevard bank sentenced to a dozen years in prison Play Video

  April 30, 2025 11:32 AM

  BATON ROUGE – A Baton Rouge man who pleaded guilty to a 2024 armed robbery has been sentenced to more than 12½ years in prison. In addition to a 151 month prison sentence, 40-year-old Jonathan Lanaute will also serve three years of supervised release and pay $20,000 in restitution... more »

• Man pleads guilty after shoplifting arrest led to authorities uncovering heavy equipment theft ring Play Video

  April 22, 2025 4:58 PM

  DENHAM SPRINGS - A man whose shoplifting arrest at Juban Crossing Shopping Mall in February 2022 led to officials uncovering a theft ring targeting heavy equipment across several parishes pleaded guilty to multiple charges, the Department of Justice said. Christopher Byerley, 45, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport a... more »

• Report: Man sentenced to 25 years after pleading no contest to manslaughter killing of Walker woman Play Video

  April 21, 2025 6:33 PM

  LIVINGSTON — A Gonzales man initially charged with the second-degree murder of a 60-year-old Walker woman was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading no contest to manslaughter, The Advocate reported Monday. The paper reports that Bobby Schneider, 36, brought 60-year-old Sarah Santini back to her house in... more »

• Woman who allegedly punched Iberville Elementary principal pleads not guilty at arraignment Play Video

  April 11, 2025 12:41 PM

  PLAQUEMINE - A woman arrested for allegedly punching Iberville Elementary School's principal in January pleaded not guilty at a Friday arraignment hearing. Alessia Parker, 33, was in court Friday morning for charges of disturbing the peace, resisting an officer and battery of a school teacher. According to officials,... more »

• Last of Baton Rouge drug traffickers who operated out of University Lake home pleads guilty Play Video

  April 9, 2025 6:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A Prairieville man part of a drug ring that operated out of a home on University Lake and did deals in the parking lot of Mall of Louisiana pleaded guilty to a federal charge Tuesday. Clarence Corey Anderson was initially arrested alongside five others after a... more »

• Woman pleads guilty to allowing self-described pedophile to take pornographic pictures of child

  April 7, 2025 5:44 PM

  GONZALES — A Gonzales woman pleaded guilty Monday to child pornography charges after arranging for a juvenile to be photographed by a self-described pedophile in 2020. Hannah Kinchen, 40, arranged to have the photos taken for the minor victim’s modeling career between July and October 2020. According to federal... more »

• Four plead not guilty to drive-by shooting that left 8-year-old dead, other children injured Play Video

  March 17, 2025 4:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Four people pleaded not guilty Monday after they were indicted in a November drive-by shooting on Swan Avenue that killed an 8-year-old and injured multiple other children. In a 19th JDC courtroom, Tremell Harris, Yancy Jarrell, Roger Parker and Kendrick Profit all pleaded not guilty to... more »

• Man pleads guilty to killing grandmother, trying to kill mother in 2021; sentenced to 120 years Play Video

  March 10, 2025 2:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A man pleaded guilty to the 2021 killing of his grandmother in a Baton Rouge courtroom on Monday. As part of his plea, 32-year-old Aaron Morgan agreed to a combined sentence of 120 years. Morgan pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his 78-year-old grandmother Dianne... more »

• Paramedic who pretended to be a doctor, wrote false prescriptions for nearly three years pleads guilty Play Video

  March 10, 2025 1:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A man arrested for falsifying prescriptions while posing as a doctor pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday. Samrat Mukherjee could face five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a term of supervised release of three years for his crimes. Between May 2019 and... more »

• Jury finds man guilty of attempted manslaughter in 2022 West Feliciana Parish funeral shooting Play Video

  February 10, 2025 3:24 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE — A West Feliciana Parish jury found an Alaska man guilty of attempted manslaughter after another man was shot in a shooting that arose out of an argument at a 2022 funeral. The jury on Thursday found James Blake guilty of shooting Michael Lancaster in December 2022... more »

• Rapper Young Thug will be released from jail after he pleaded guilty to gang, drug and gun charges

  October 31, 2024 6:36 PM

  ATLANTA (AP) — Rapper Young Thug pleaded guilty Thursday in Atlanta to gang, drug and gun charges and will be released from jail, though he could be put back behind bars if he violates the terms of his sentence. The 33-year-old Grammy-winning artist, whose given name is Jeffery Williams,... more »

• Denham Springs man pleads guilty in federal court to distributing child porn

  October 23, 2024 12:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A Denham Springs man pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to distributing child pornography. Barry Paul Vining, 56, pleaded guilty to uploading two images of child porn to an online file-sharing service in November 2022. Vining also had multiple pictures and videos of child pornography in... more »

• Teen pleads guilty to murder, attempted murder in New Year's Eve shooting Play Video

  October 9, 2024 12:54 PM

  NEW ROADS — A Pointe Coupee Parish juvenile pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder for a New Year's Eve shooting in 2023, the District Attorney said. The juvenile, who was 14 at the time of the shooting on Dec. 31, 2023, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree... more »

• Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused of sexual misconduct by 120 people, attorney says

  October 1, 2024 5:01 PM

  HOUSTON (AP) — An attorney said Tuesday he is representing 120 accusers who have come forward with sexual misconduct allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs , the hip-hop mogul who is awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges . Houston attorney Tony Buzbee said he expects lawsuits to be filed within... more »

• Three plead guilty to battery, attempted manslaughter in 2021 altercation with Ascension deputies

  September 25, 2024 3:31 PM

  SORRENTO — Three people pleaded guilty in connection to a 2021 altercation with Ascension Parish deputies in a Sorrento neighborhood, court records from the 23rd District Court show. Juan Madera Ortiz Sr., 42, and Juan Ortiz Jr., 19, pleaded guilty to attempted manslaughter on Tuesday. Jose Ortiz, 39, pleaded... more »

• Baton Rouge man sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to child porn charges

  September 5, 2024 1:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A federal judge Thursday sentenced a Baton Rouge man to nearly 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of child porn. Michael Becnel, 56, was sentenced to 116 months in prison following his conviction for possessing obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of... more »

• Man who killed his child's mother in 2016 sentenced to 30 years in prison Play Video

  August 21, 2024 10:17 AM

  GONZALES— A Gonzales man who killed the mother of his child in 2016 will spend three decades in jail. Jarvis McNair, 33, admitted to killing Shondrica Dejoie in front of her 10 month old child in July 2016. The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office says McNair shot her in the... more »

• Former U.S. Rep. George Santos pleads guilty to wire fraud and identity theft in his federal case

  August 19, 2024 4:15 PM

  CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. George Santos pleaded guilty Monday to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, short-circuiting the federal fraud case that led to his expulsion from Congress just weeks before it was set to go to trial. “I betrayed the trust of my constituents... more »

• Texas lawyer pleads guilty a second time to lighting a fire at ex-girlfriend's Baton Rouge home Play Video

  August 5, 2024 3:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A Texas-based lawyer arrested in 2023 for setting fire to an ex-girlfriend's home after repeatedly violating a restraining order she filed against him pleaded guilty for a second time on Monday after a judge's error voided the previous plea, court records show. Christian King, 31, pleaded... more »

• Former Lafourche art teacher sentenced 40 years for sexually abusing student in 2009

  July 18, 2024 4:03 PM

  THIBODAUX - A former middle school teacher was sentenced to 40 years in prison Thursday morning for sexually abusing a student. Ralph Cheramie Jr., 64, was sentenced to 40 years for molestation of a juvenile, 40 years for sexual battery of a minor under 13 and 10 years for... more »

• Former LSU employee enters guilty plea for reduced charges in child porn case; faces 7 years in prison

  July 18, 2024 1:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A former LSU Foundation staff member pleaded guilty to reduced charges Thursday to avoid trial for child pornography charges he was arrested for in 2022 after he posed as a 17-year-old girl, court records show. Chase Kojis, 40, pleaded guilty to one count each of pornography... more »

• Former Istrouma High coach accused of having sex with student changes plea to guilty, charges reduced Play Video

  July 3, 2024 3:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A former high school coach in Baton Rouge who was accused of luring a student into a closet for sex in 2023 pleaded guilty to several charges after previously pleading not guilty in January, court records show. Johnnie Butler's sexual battery charge was dismissed Monday by... more »

• Hunter Biden convicted on all charges in gun trial Play Video

  June 11, 2024 11:26 AM

  WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Hunter Biden was convicted Tuesday of all three felony charges related to the purchase of a revolver in 2018 when, prosecutors argued, the president’s son lied on a mandatory gun-purchase form by saying he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs. Jurors found Hunter... more »

• Gonzales Police officer pleads guilty to anonymously sending harassing text messages

  June 3, 2024 3:16 PM

  GONZALES — A Gonzales Police officer pleaded guilty to sending anonymous and threatening text messages to multiple people dating back to September 2023, court records show. Duane Carpenter, 48, pleaded guilty to three counts of improper telephone communication on May 22. According to court records, one of the charges,... more »

• NY jury convicts Trump in fraud case stemming from sex scandal involving porn star from Baton Rouge Play Video

  May 30, 2024 5:14 PM

  NEW YORK — Donald Trump was convicted Thursday on all 34 counts against him in his New York hush money trial, a landmark jury verdict making him the first former American president to be found guilty of felony crimes in the nation’s nearly 250-year history. The jury’s judgment Thursday... more »

• Former Addis police officer turns himself in after guilty plea to vehicular manslaughter of Brusly teens Play Video

  May 23, 2024 11:18 AM

  ADDIS — A former Addis Police officer who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of two teenagers and negligent injuring of another in a crash during a reckless pursuit turned himself in Thursday morning. David Cauthron, 42, was sentenced to 32 years in prison, with 22 years suspended, after he... more »

• Woman convicted in cold case killing tried to claim her sentence was illegal Play Video

  April 17, 2023 4:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A woman who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in exchange for leniency tied to the killing of Gary Kergan in 1984 claimed the sentence she received was illegal and asked a court to correct it. Things took an interesting twist when Leila Mulla withdrew her request this... more »

• Southern board member pleads guilty, resigns two years after WBRZ report Play Video

  January 15, 2020 4:48 PM

  GONZALES- Southern University Board of Supervisors member Donald Ray Henry entered a guilty plea in court this week to injuring public records. As part of his plea agreement, he resigned from the Southern University Board of Supervisors. Henry was the focus of a WBRZ Investigative Unit report back in May... more »

• Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort guilty of 8 charges; mistrial declared on 10 others

  August 21, 2018 4:43 PM

  ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort stared intently at the jury as the clerk read off the counts finding him guilty of eight financial crime charges. Manafort was found guilty Tuesday in the first trial victory for special counsel Robert Mueller's team. The judge declared a... more »

• Man who attacked officer before good Samaritan intervened pleads guilty

  August 30, 2017 3:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE – The criminal whose attack on a Baton Rouge Police officer was thwarted by a good Samaritan pleaded guilty for the violent encounter this week. Thomas Bennett pleaded guilty to disarming a police officer, aggravated battery, possession of cocaine and a burglary charge. Bennett will be sentenced... more »

• Ascension grand jury indicts Matthew Morris on 84 counts related to fraud

  April 10, 2017 4:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE – An Ascension Parish grand jury has indicted a man on 84 counts including contractor fraud after police say he scammed 18 victims after the flood. District Attorney Ricky Babin confirmed contractor Mathew Morris was indicted Monday on 84 separate counts. An arraignment date will be set... more »

• Ascension grand jury indicts Matthew Morris on 84 counts related to fraud

  April 10, 2017 4:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE – An Ascension Parish grand jury has indicted a man on 84 counts including contractor fraud after police say he scammed 18 victims after the flood. District Attorney Ricky Babin confirmed contractor Mathew Morris was re-indicted Monday on 84 separate counts. Morris, the owner of Complete... more »

• Father found guilty for beating child to death in 2014 Play Video

  February 3, 2017 5:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE – A jury has found a father accused of beating his son to death in 2014 guilty of second-degree murder. Vernell Day was accused of beating his son, Jay’v’une Isaiah Bergin, so badly that the child had to be hospitalized. The child later died in the hospital... more »

• Former Gonzales fire chief pleads guilty to child porn charges

  December 20, 2016 4:14 PM

  GONZALES – The former Gonzales Fire Chief has been convicted of child pornography charges, according to U.S. Attorney Walt Green. Former Gonzales District Fire Chief Kristopher Johnson , 36, was convicted of four counts of distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. Johnson pleaded guilty... more »

• Teacher pleads guilty to giving students marijuana brownies

  November 16, 2016 6:04 PM

  COVINGTON – A former high school teacher pleaded guilty to giving brownies with marijuana in them to two of her students. The former teacher, 31-year-old Camille Breaux Brennan, taught at Hannan High School. Brennan admitted to giving brownies to two students in May 2015. One of the students reportedly... more »

• Convicted felon pleads guilty to tailgating deputy, possessing handgun

  October 5, 2016 3:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE – United States Attorney Walt Green reports Thursday that a Baton Rouge man pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a felon. According to Green, 27-year-old Deontez Mayfield was arrested after tailgating a marked EBRSO cruiser with his high beams on July 6, 2016. The deputy attempted... more »

• BR Systems Administrator pleads guilty to hacking into company that fired him

  February 22, 2016 3:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Department of Justice reports a former systems administrator pleaded guilty to accusations that he hacked into the computer system of an industrial facility by which he was formerly employed. 44-year-old Brian Johnson, of Baton Rouge, pleaded guilty to intentionally damaging a protected computer. His sentencing... more »

• Man pleads guilty in 25-year-old Ascension Parish murder case

  January 8, 2016 6:06 PM

  GONZALES - A man confessed he killed a woman 25 years ago inside an Ascension Parish courthouse this afternoon. Kenneth Lavigne, who is now 50 years old, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and second degree kidnapping charges for the death of his uncle's ex-wife, Jeannie Lavigne, who was 38 years... more »

• Man pleads guilty to lesser charges in rape of 12-year-old

  December 2, 2015 5:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A man accused of raping his girlfriend’s 12-year-old daughter on several occasions along with arranging sexual encounters between the girl and other men pleaded guilty to lesser offenses on Wednesday. 40-year-old Ivy Martin pleaded guilty to one count of sexual battery and one count of molestation... more »

• Man behind film tax credit scam must serve probation, pay fines

  November 12, 2015 4:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Department of Justice says the man behind a film tax credit scam will be placed on probation and must pay restitution to the state. 46-year-old George Kostuch was sentenced by a U.S. District Judge Thursday to serve three years of probation and ordered to pay... more »

• Man pleads guilty in film tax credit scam that cost taxpayers $1.2 million

  October 14, 2015 2:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Department of Justice reported a man accused in a motion picture tax credit scam and costing Louisiana taxpayers $1.2 million pleaded guilty on Tuesday. 38-year-old Matthew Keith was sentenced to six months in federal prison and ordered to pay $1,200,000 in restitution to the state.... more »

• Man accused of shooting at police pleads guilty to attempted murder charges

  September 21, 2015 4:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A man with a lengthy criminal history pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder charges and apologized for trying to kill a Baton Rouge Police officer during a traffic stop in 2012. 36-year-old Melvin Trosclair, of Baton Rouge, received a 30-year sentence around noon Monday in a... more »