Tagged News

• BR man sentenced to 10 years in prison after approaching house, asking occupant for $10, shooting them Play Video

  June 2, 2026 7:46 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after knocking on a Baton Rouge home's door and asking its occupant for $10 before shooting him, court records show Clayton Smith, 22, entered a guilty plea on attempted second-degree murder charges on Monday, court records say.... more »

• Man sentenced to over 35 years following home invasion where he attempted to rape a woman Play Video

  May 18, 2026 4:13 PM

  PORT ALLEN — A man found guilty of breaking into a woman's home before trying to rape her was sentenced to over 35 years on Monday. According to officials, on Sept. 30, 2022, 42-year-old Craig Washington entered the victim's home without her permission and began to push her through... more »

• Bayou L'Ourse man faces up to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to fatal 2023 shooting

  May 14, 2026 7:52 AM

  BAYOU L'OURSE — A man arrested following the 2023 shooting death of a 40-year-old man in Bayou L’Ourse pleaded guilty earlier this week and faces up to four decades behind bars. Joseph Gilchrist Sr., 55, was arrested following the July 2, 2023, shooting of Atanacio Guerrero. Assumption Parish... more »

• Last person arrested after 2023 death of pregnant woman pleads guilty to reduced charges, records show Play Video

  May 13, 2026 7:18 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A man originally arrested on murder and feticide charges in connection with the 2023 death of a 36-year-old mother and her unborn baby has pleaded guilty to reduced charges, marking the fifth and final plea in the case. Derrick Curry, who was 19 at the time... more »

• Ponchatoula man pleads no contest to child sex crimes, faces 40 years and physical castration

  May 12, 2026 5:08 PM

  AMITE — A Ponchatoula man faces physical castration and 40 years in prison after he pleaded no contest to oral sexual battery of a child under the age of 13 and possession of child pornography. William Blake Porter, 35, entered the plea May 6, according to 21st Judicial District... more »

• Man sentenced to 40 years after pleading to reduced charges in death of woman outside Our Lady of the Lake Play Video

  May 11, 2026 11:36 AM

  BATON ROUGE — On Monday, a man was sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to killing his former domestic partner outside her job at Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in March 2025. Roland Domino, 61, pleaded guilty to killing Patricia Jackson after the pair... more »

• All 3 suspects plead no contest to conspiracy charges connected to death of Southern student Play Video

  May 11, 2026 11:12 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE — Two people arrested on West Feliciana Parish conspiracy charges in connection with the killing of Steven Harris, a former Southern University sophomore who was found shot dead in western Mississippi, pleaded no contest on Monday. Derek Hollins Jr. and Calajia Jack were among three people arrested... more »

• 35-year-old Walker man sentenced to more than 23 years in federal prison for dealing meth

  May 1, 2026 1:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A Walker man was sentenced to 23 years and six months in federal prison for dealing meth, U.S. Attorney Kurt Wall said Friday. Richard Lance Cline Jr., 35, was convicted of selling 50 grams or more of meth to undercover officers on three occasions in 2021.... more »

• Honduran man sentenced to 20 years in prison after conviction for raping a woman, slashing at her throat Play Video

  April 29, 2026 7:02 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A Honduran man arrested in 2017 after raping a woman and slashing at her throat in Baker was sentenced to 20 years behind bars. On Monday, Manuel Mejia pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder and first-degree rape. Mejia was also facing a second-degree kidnapping charge, but... more »

• Man who shot at ex-girlfriend's home in 2025 pleads guilty to reduced charges, sentenced to 5 years Play Video

  April 27, 2026 11:50 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A man accused of shooting at the home of his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child pleaded guilty to reduced charges in a downtown Baton Rouge courtroom on Monday. Matthew Rivers, 48, was initially arrested in February 2025 on three counts of attempted murder, as... more »

• Man with robbery, burglary convictions gets 6 years behind bars for bringing gun into Siegen Lane store

  April 27, 2026 10:08 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A New Roads man was sentenced to more than six years in prison after he pleaded guilty to walking into a store with a gun after he was barred from owning a firearm following several previous convictions. According to federal prosecutors, 33-year-old Frank Sneed walked into... 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 »

• Bill advances to add protections for people whose offenses are triggered by domestic abuse

  April 15, 2026 12:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A substitute bill that would create protections for incarcerated survivors of domestic violence advanced in a Senate Judiciary committee meeting on Tuesday, but faced opposition from advocates arguing the new version would not be as effective as the bill originally proposed. Senate Bill 91, authored by... more »

• Victoria Cox pleads guilty to reduced Tangipahoa charges in Loranger murder, kidnapping case Play Video

  April 14, 2026 10:40 AM

  LORANGER — A woman previously sentenced to 40 years in Mississippi prison for her connection to the killing of a Loranger woman and one of her daughters in June 2024 was sentenced to 60 years in Louisiana prison on reduced charges. Victoria Cox, who appeared in court via video... more »

• Clinton man sentenced to 2 life sentences after being found guilty of rape Play Video

  April 9, 2026 12:26 PM

  CLINTON — A Clinton man was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences after he was found guilty on multiple counts of rape. On Tuesday, 56-year-old David Hall pleaded guilty to rape, for which he was arrested in 2023. According to District Attorney Sam D'Aquila, he was charged with raping... more »

• Man arrested in 2022 Labadieville rape investigation pleads guilty, sentenced to more than 20 years

  March 27, 2026 1:14 PM

  NAPOLEONVILLE — A man arrested in Assumption Parish in 2022 pleaded guilty to rape charges, resulting in a prison sentence of more than 20 years. According to the 23rd JDC, 57-year-old Tyrone Chavers pleaded guilty to second-degree rape on Monday. Chavers was arrested in May 2025 following a Labadieville... more »

• Sorrento man sentenced to 25 years in plea deal following child pornography, simple burglary arrests Play Video

  March 19, 2026 8:15 AM

  SORRENTO — A Sorrento man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after taking a plea deal in connection with child pornography and simple burglary arrests. According to the 23rd JDC, 36-year-old Matthew Corkern III must also register as a sex offender following his sentence. In December 2024,... more »

• Man who kidnapped, shot victim and left him to die sentenced to 40 years in prison Play Video

  March 5, 2026 12:02 PM

  PLAQUEMINE - A convicted kidnapper who abducted and shot a man before leaving him to die was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Thursday. Adam Orellana pleaded guilty to attempted murder and kidnapping on Feb. 11, nearly three years after he shot Dylan Tullier in Plaquemine. Tullier died... more »

• Baton Rouge man found guilty of murdering wife, injuring two others in 2018 Play Video

  February 27, 2026 10:53 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A man arrested in 2018 for stabbing his wife to death and injuring two other people was found guilty on Thursday. Michael Vallery was originally charged with second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder for the death of 51-year-old Stefanie Vallery and the stabbing... more »

• Man pleads guilty to reduced charges in connection to fatal shooting at Choctaw Drive night club Play Video

  February 27, 2026 7:58 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A man indicted in connection with a June 2025 shooting that left a 24-year-old woman dead pleaded guilty to reduced charges and was sentenced to five years in prison. Scott Strickland, 19, was booked for the first-degree murder of Prenesha Wagner at an after-hours club along... more »

• Gonzales man sentenced to 25 years in prison after inappropriately touching young girl Play Video

  February 24, 2026 9:36 AM

  GONZALES — A man found guilty of inappropriately touching a juvenile was sentenced to 25 years in state prison. According to 23rd District Attorney Rick Babin, 59-year-old Timothy Callender was sentenced to a quarter-century behind bars, with credit for time served. Callender was arrested in August 2022 after... more »

• Lutcher man sentenced to 20 years after attempted manslaughter conviction for punching toddler in face Play Video

  January 29, 2026 7:40 AM

  LUTCHER — A Lutcher man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to attempted manslaughter after he punched a four-year-old in the face. Clydedric Joseph, 30, was sentenced on Jan. 20. He was granted credit for time served. In July of 2022, deputies... more »

• Baton Rouge man who pleaded guilty to killing ex's new boyfriend sentenced to 15 years in prison Play Video

  December 19, 2025 9:09 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter after killing his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend while holding a child in his arms in 2024 has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, court records say. Tyrus Watson, 23, pleaded guilty to manslaughter after he was originally arrested for... more »

• Man sentenced to 13 years behind bars after impersonating cop, carjacking in Baton Rouge Play Video

  December 19, 2025 7:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A judge sentenced a man to more than a decade in prison after he was convicted of carjacking and attacking a man. Alkeyvin Ennis, 33, impersonated an officer and pulled a man over off Perkins Road in July 2022, court records said. Ennis then pistol-whipped... more »

• Man who fatally shot another man on Gus Young Avenue takes plea deal, sentenced to 30 years Play Video

  November 6, 2025 8:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A man arrested in a deadly 2020 shooting on Gus Young Avenue was sentenced to 30 years in prison after taking a plea deal, court records show. Armon Wilson, 27, was arrested in July 2020 for murder after Jerome Kinchen, 34, was found dead on Gus... more »

• Man sentenced to 40 years for killing LSU PhD student Play Video

  September 9, 2025 3:05 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The man who killed an LSU PhD student in 2019 has been sentenced to 40 years in prison. On Friday, District Judge Brad Meyers sentenced Antonio Watts, 28, to 40 years after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted... more »

• 1st Circuit won't remove judge in ex-officer's sentencing; malfeasance case due in court again next week Play Video

  September 4, 2025 4:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A state appeals court on Thursday unanimously rejected a request by East Baton Rouge prosecutors to change judges before the sentencing of a former Baton Rouge police officer on a malfeasance charge. The district attorney doesn't want 19th Judicial District Chief Judge Don Johnson to handle... more »

• Man serving 20 years in prison sentenced to 55 more years for 2017 Ascension Parish shooting

  August 15, 2025 12:33 PM

  DONALDSONVILLE — A Donaldsonville man currently serving 20 years in prison for manslaughter was sentenced to an additional 55 years behind bars earlier this week. In May, Kahlil Howard, 27, pleaded guilty to attacking and shooting a man on the Sunshine Bridge in September 2017. On Tuesday, Howard was... more »

• Man pleads guilty to stabbing girlfriend; killing came 7 months after he skipped domestic violence class Play Video

  July 23, 2025 1:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A Baton Rouge man was sentenced to 70 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to manslaughter and other charges connected to the stabbing death of his girlfriend in 2020. Connor Regan had called police after stabbing Kinnedy Smith 39 times inside a Jefferson Highway apartment... more »

• Man who killed pregnant girlfriend and threw toddler off bridge sentenced to 95 years in prison

  June 10, 2025 12:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and feticide after he killed his pregnant girlfriend and threw her 2-year-old son off of a bridge was sentenced to 95 years in prison. Brynnen Murphy was in arrested in 2022 for two counts of first-degree murder for the... more »

• Multiple capital-area men sentenced to federal prison for drug ring involvement

  May 9, 2025 10:23 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Multiple men in the capital region were sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a drug ring operating in Iberville Parish. The United States Department of Justice said five men were sentenced due to their involvement in a drug ring trafficking cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.... more »

• Baton Rouge man sentenced to 30 years after pleading guilty to fatally shaking his son Play Video

  April 25, 2025 1:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A man who admitted to killing his infant son after shaking the six-month-old to get him to stop crying has been sentenced to 30 years in prison. Luciano Livious Sr., 27, was arrested in June 2023 after his son was taken to the hospital with traumatic... more »

• Prairieville man pleads guilty to raping 16-year-old girl; sentenced to 29 years in prison Play Video

  March 6, 2025 2:19 PM

  PRAIRIEVILLE — A Prairieville man who confessed to raping a teenager in July 2020 pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison. Jose Martinez, 43, was sentenced to 29 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl. Martinez told the victim to have sex with... more »

• Man sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for assaulting postal worker Play Video

  February 7, 2025 10:33 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the assault of a United States Postal worker . Lionel Haile, 31, of St. Francisville was arrested in 2022 for the assault of a postal worker with a dangerous weapon after he stabbed her. Evidence... more »

• Judge delays Donald Trump's hush money sentencing indefinitely

  November 22, 2024 11:27 AM

  The judge overseeing President-Elect Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial has adjourned his sentencing indefinitely. Judge Juan Merchan also agreed to hold off on making on decision regarding Trump's presidential immunity until after he reviews the court filings, CNN reported . Merchan granted Trump's request to file a... more »

• Man sentenced to eight years in prison after fatal shooting in 2021

  October 30, 2024 11:16 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A man convicted of manslaughter after a deadly 2021 shooting has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Charles Wade was sentenced to five years for manslaughter and three years for child endangerment after the shooting on North Foster Drive, which stemmed from an argument between... more »

• Mom convicted in son's fentanyl death due for sentencing Monday; lawyer will seek appeal for retrial Play Video

  October 18, 2024 12:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A Baton Rouge woman due to be sentenced Monday for second-degree murder after her 2-year-old son died from his third fentanyl poisoning will seek a new trial after an appeal for a retrial was denied earlier this week, her lawyer said Friday. A jury last month... more »

• Man convicted on two counts of murder after 2022 Brusly stabbings Play Video

  August 23, 2024 5:50 PM

  BRUSLY - A man was convicted on two counts of second-degree murder after a stabbing in 2022, according to the 18th Judicial District Attorney. Kevin Craig, 61, was arrested after a March 27 double-murder of Myeisha Adams and RL Washington. According to a release from District Attorney Tony Clayton,... more »

• 'Career offender' sentenced for drug trafficking charges after agents buy dozens of grams of heroin Play Video

  July 26, 2024 10:24 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A man was sentenced to 160 months in federal prison for drug trafficking charges amid an investigation into drug trafficking circles around the parish. Officials called Timothy Franklin, 40, a "career offender" in a release sent out Friday morning announcing his sentencing. Franklin was convicted for... more »

• Man sentenced to life in prison for murder of Livingston Parish couple

  May 25, 2021 10:21 AM

  LIVINGSTON - A man who a Livingston Parish jury convicted as guilty of murdering a local middle-aged couple has been sentenced to life in prison. On May 20, 48-year-old Michael Collins was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Eugene Gurley, Jr. and Patricia Gurley,... more »

• Gunman in 2018 accidental shooting death sentenced to two years in prison, $5,000 fine

  November 12, 2020 6:30 AM

  BATON ROUGE - In February of 2018, a 23-year-old Baker woman named Cherish Smith was accidentally shot to death by her partner , Rhykem Rogers and now, over two years later Rogers' fate has been decided by a Louisiana court. According to court documents, the 30-year-old Rogers father of... more »

• Louisiana man sentenced to 25 years for string of church fires Play Video

  October 30, 2020 11:16 AM

  LAFAYETTE — A man charged for intentionally setting fire to multiple African American churches in Opelousas last spring was sentenced to more than two decades in prison. KATC reports a federal judge sentenced Holden Matthews to 25 years in prison for the fires he set at three different churches... more »

• Man sentenced to life in prison for 2015 Thanksgiving murder

  February 10, 2020 6:32 PM

  PLAQUEMINE - A judge sentenced a man to life in prison plus 20 years for his involvement in a murder nearly five years ago. Jerome Gray was convicted for Second Degree Murder back in 2019 after killing Derick Askins on Thanksgiving day in 2015. You can read about the... more »

• Accused sex offender sentenced to five years in prison for possession of child pornography

  December 30, 2019 9:33 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Henry Babin, 30, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison after being convicted for possession of child pornography. In January of 2018 the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force obtained a search warrant for Babin's property. During their search of his property, authorities... more »

• Former fraternity member sentenced to prison, probation in hazing death of Max Gruver Play Video

  November 20, 2019 9:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE – A former fraternity member accused of pressuring an 18-year-old LSU student to consume alcohol to the point of drinking himself to death has received a five-year prison sentence and three years supervised probation. Matthew Naquin, who was found guilty of negligent homicide in the 2017 hazing... more »

• Highly-anticipated John Paul Funes sentencing for Thursday rescheduled Play Video

  October 16, 2019 6:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Sentencing for the former head of the Our Lady of the Lake Foundation has been delayed a week, WBRZ has learned. Sentencing for John Paul Funes was scheduled for Thursday (Oct. 17) but it was rescheduled for next week because of a scheduling conflict with the... more »

• Woman sentenced to 16 years in sex trafficking case

  June 30, 2016 3:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE – U.S. Attorneys say a Baton Rouge woman was sentenced to 16 years in prison for trafficking a minor for sex. Last year, a federal grand jury indicted 37-year-old Kellie M. Dominique with sex trafficking of a minor, attempted sex trafficking of a minor, obstruction of justice... more »

• Man sentenced to 40 years in 1990 Ascension Parish murder case Play Video

  April 18, 2016 1:05 PM

  GONZALES - A man who pleaded guilty to the rape, kidnapping and murder of his aunt in 1990 was sentenced to 40 years on a kidnapping charge in Ascension Parish Monday morning. Kenneth Lavigne was sentenced back in January to 21 years for the murder. Lavigne will serve 61... more »

• Sentencing for "wrong neighborhood" attacker postponed

  January 28, 2016 11:14 AM

  ROUGE - A judge ordered that sentencing for a man convicted of beating a man and wife at a Baton Rouge gas station in May 2013 be put off so the court can hear arguments about whether he's a habitual offender. Donald Dickerson faces a possible life sentence if... more »

• Murdered man's brother addresses killer at sentencing

  October 7, 2015 11:32 AM

  BATON ROUGE – The brother of a man murdered in 1984 was able to give an emotional address to his brother's killer Wednesday morning. Ronald Dunnagan was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday for the 1984 murder of Gary Kergan. Jurors found Dunnagan guilty of second degree murder in... more »

• Gerald faces sentencing for drunk driving deaths

  March 12, 2013 7:26 AM

  CLINTON - The man who police say was more than twice the legal limit when he crashed into another car head-on, killing seven people, will learn his fate today in an East Feliciana Parish courtroom. Brett Gerald pleaded guilty in December to seven counts of vehicular homicide, after originally... more »