Tagged News

• Final escaped inmate from St. Landry Parish Jail captured

  December 20, 2025 7:18 PM

  OPELOUSAS - The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office announced the capture of the final escaped inmate from the St. Landry Parish jail on Friday, after 3 inmates previously escaped from the facility on Dec. 3. According to the sheriff's office, Keith Eli, 24, of Opelousas, was captured by Narcotics... more »

• Escaped inmate from Vermilion Parish Jail captured along I-10 near Lafayette Play Video

  December 6, 2025 11:30 AM

  ABBEVILLE - An accused drug dealer who escaped from the Vermilion Parish Jail was captured late Friday night, according to the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office. Gavin Garnica, 23, was captured along I-10 west of Lafayette around 11:45 p.m. after escaping the Vermilion Parish Jail by scaling the facility's east... more »

• Escaped St. Landry Parish Jail inmate dead after standoff in Port Barre, officials say

  December 4, 2025 5:37 PM

  PORT BARRE - An inmate who escaped from the St. Landry Parish Jail reportedly died after a standoff with deputies on Thursday, KATC reported. Joseph Allen Harrington, 26, of Melville, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after the standoff, officials said. He was previously arrested after an October standoff... more »

• Two inmates escape from St. Landry Parish Jail, sheriff says Play Video

  December 3, 2025 4:39 PM

  OPELOUSAS — Two inmates escaped from the St. Landry Parish Jail on Wednesday morning, according to Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz. Guidroz said 24-year-olds Keith Eli and Jonathan Jevon Joseph chipped away at the mortar on a "degrading" wall, allowing them to remove concrete blocks from the wall and escape.... more »

• Angola Prison hosts Daddy Daughter Dance

  November 26, 2025 1:08 PM

  ANGOLA - Angola Prison hosted its first Daddy Daughter Dance ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, giving many fathers a chance to interact with their daughters for the first time. The event, created by God Behind Bars in partnership with leadership at Angola, aimed to create an experience based on... more »

• A New Orleans man who had his murder conviction tossed wins election as city's chief record keeper

  November 16, 2025 4:11 PM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A New Orleans man who spent three decades in prison before his murder conviction was vacated won election Saturday to serve as the city’s chief criminal court record keeper, despite the state challenging his past. The city’s newly elected clerk of criminal court, Calvin Duncan,... more »

• Escaped Berwick inmates captured after escaping from Berwick Police Department Jail Play Video

  November 15, 2025 11:40 AM

  BERWICK - Two inmate escapees are back in custody on Saturday after escaping from the Berwick Police Department Jail on Wednesday, according to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office learned on Nov. 12 that Cecil Stratton, 46, and Brandon Brunet, 22, escaped during a lockdown procedure... more »

• Mother of deceased inmate suing warden of Dixon Correctional Institute after her son's death Play Video

  November 10, 2025 5:25 PM

  JACKSON - The mother of an inmate who was fatally stabbed inside Dixon Correctional Institute is suing the warden, alleging his negligence for her son's death. Joyce Kelly, mother of Cornelius Kelly, filed suit against Warden E. Dustin Bickham for violating her son's right to due process and to... more »

• LPSO says scammers targeting family members of those incarcerated at Livingston Parish Detention Center

  October 31, 2025 11:51 AM

  LIVINGSTON - The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office warned the public via a Facebook post that scammers are targeting family members of those incarcerated at the Livingston Parish Detention Center. The office received multiple reports of residents being contacted by scammers claiming to be deputies, saying that their family members... more »

• Man accused of punching home after being asked to leave arrested after hitting inmate during booking Play Video

  September 24, 2025 12:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A man arrested for allegedly punching a home and a car after being asked to leave struck another inmate while being booked into jail, Baton Rouge Police said. Anthony George, 37, had been asked to leave a North Barrow Drive house on Saturday but refused, police... more »

• St. Helena Parish Sheriff's Office awarded $10K grant to revitalize portion of jail

  September 11, 2025 4:36 PM

  GREENSBURG - Officials in St. Helena Parish were awarded a $10,000 grant to revitalize a run-down portion of the parish jail. The St. Helena Parish Sheriff's Office said the money, from the Lieutenant Governor's Office and the Keep Louisiana Beautiful Program, will revitalize the part of the jail that's... more »

• West Baton Rouge Parish Jail sees fourth inmate death this year Play Video

  September 8, 2025 5:59 PM

  PORT ALLEN — Smuggled-in drugs continue to cause serious problems in what is supposed to be a secure facility. 26-year-old Nicholas Henderson was found dead in his lockdown isolation cell Sunday at the West Baton Rouge Parish Jail. Henderson's is the fourth inmate death in the facility this year.... more »

• Advocates question whether security reforms in WBR Jail are enough after series of inmate deaths Play Video

  August 19, 2025 11:49 PM

  PORT ALLEN — In just six months, three inmates at the West Baton Rouge Parish detention center have died while in custody. All three of those deaths have been drug-related. The West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office says it is working to enhance both the safety and security at the... more »

• Son of homeowner arrested for aggravated arson after Cable Street house fire causes $20K in damages Play Video

  May 1, 2025 9:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The son of a man whose home caught fire in February on Cable Street was arrested for aggravated arson after a dispute with his mother, fire officials said. Jermar Lee Crawford was booked for aggravated arson after allegedly setting fire to multiple areas of his father's... more »

• St. Helena Parish deputy, jailer arrested for malfeasance after contraband brought into jail Play Video

  April 30, 2025 7:27 PM

  GREENSBURG - A St. Helena Parish deputy and jailer was terminated and arrested after he allegedly brought in contraband into the jail, according to officials. Gregory Goods, 56, worked at the jail since April 2024. Officials said he brought in cigarettes, drugs and cell phone cards into the jail.... more »

• Deputies: Drive-by shooting in Robert was allegedly orchestrated by Tangipahoa Parish Jail inmate Play Video

  April 24, 2025 6:27 PM

  ROBERT — A March drive-by shooting in Robert that riddled a house and car with bullets was allegedly ordered by a Tangipahoa Parish Jail inmate. In total, five people were arrested in the shooting investigators say was orchestrated by 21-year-old Larry Turner Jr. while he was still in jail.... more »

• Inmate accused of leading large-scale sports gambling operation

  December 20, 2024 2:46 PM

  ST. GABRIEL — An Elayn Hunt Correctional inmate accused of leading an illegal sports gambling scheme within the state prison was arrested, officials said Friday. Broderick Scott, 48, was arrested Wednesday for allegedly using contraband smuggled into the prison to run the gambling operations. Louisiana State Police said... more »

• Man convicted of killing former BRPD officer during 2020 vehicle break-in sentenced to 25 years Play Video

  December 2, 2024 6:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A man convicted of the shooting death of a former Baton Rouge Police officer who attempted to stop a vehicle break-in in his neighborhood in April 2020 was sentenced to 25 years in prison, the District Attorney said Monday. Craig Willis, 31, was sentenced after he... more »

• Deputies confirm identity of inmate who died in Ascension Parish jail Sunday Play Video

  December 2, 2024 11:31 AM

  DONALDSONVILLE - Deputies confirmed the identity of a 40-year-old man who died in custody at the Ascension Parish jail Sunday. The inmate was identified as 40-year-old Darvin Mumphrey of Donaldsonville. He was booked into the jail Saturday morning but later passed away. His cause of death is pending... more »

• Trustee program believed to be source of contraband seized from jail, including homemade alcohol Play Video

  September 27, 2024 1:17 PM

  AMITE - Drugs, weapons, and even homemade alcohol were seized from the Tangipahoa Parish Jail in the culmination of "Operation Shake it Up." The sweep began in early September and aimed to remove dangerous substances and items from the jail, said the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office. "Historically that... more »

• INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Two Angola inmates fatally overdose; three deaths in as many days in state facilities

  August 29, 2024 3:18 PM

  ANGOLA — Two inmates fatally overdosed in Angola State Penitentiary on Thursday morning, 20th Judicial District Attorney's Office Samuel C. D’Aquilla said. The Department of Corrections said the two inmates were named Jamar Owens and Thayer Green. News of Thursday's fatal overdoses comes two days after another inmate... more »

• Former Tangipahoa Parish Jail maintenance employee arrested; allegedly took inmate off-site to buy weapons

  August 16, 2024 4:09 PM

  AMITE — A former maintenance worker who worked in the Tangipahoa Parish Jail was arrested Friday for taking an inmate out of the jail to buy weapons from him, deputies said. Donald Hammons, 56, was arrested on one count of malfeasance in office. Hammons was a Tangipahoa Parish... more »

• Inmate at Tangipahoa Parish Jail dies after experiencing possible medical emergency

  July 25, 2024 1:05 PM

  AMITE - Investigators are looking into the cause of death of an inmate at the Tangipahoa Parish Jail Thursday morning. Inmate Christopher Woodard, 47, reported not feeling well shortly before 6 a.m. Thursday. Before he could be transferred to the medical wing, deputies with the parish sheriff's office said... more »

• Tangipahoa Parish Jail employee fired, arrested after physical altercation with inmate

  July 19, 2024 3:10 PM

  AMITE - A former Tangipahoa Parish Jail employee and an inmate were arrested Friday after a fight between the two. According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, Jaden Lamark, 20, was booked on one count each of simple battery and malfeasance in office after a July 4 altercation with... more »

• Houma man arrested after deputies find a small bag of Methamphetamines outside of home Play Video

  July 9, 2024 10:37 AM

  HOUMA— A Houma man now faces multiple drug charges after Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's deputies found a small bag of drugs outside his home while responding to reports of gunshots. Deputies were called to 27-year-old Jeffery Joseph Bourgeois Jr.'s home off Nassau Court just after 11:00 p.m. Saturday night. Neighbors... more »

• Federal judge orders Angola to take action to protect prisoners from summer heat while working Play Video

  July 3, 2024 10:25 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A federal judge is giving the Louisiana State Penitentiary a week to come up with a plan to protect prisoners working outside from extreme heat after advocates sued the DOC in June. Judge Brian Jackson issued a temporary restraining order that will prevent Angola officials from... more »

• East Baton Rouge community invited to tour parish prison Tuesday Play Video

  June 11, 2024 7:55 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Parish Prison and Juvenile Detention Center Task Force are inviting members of the community to take part in a tour of the EBR Parish Prison. They say the event aims to provide the public with a better understanding of the operations and... more »

• Food contractor working for the St. Martin Parish jail arrested for smuggling contraband to inmates Play Video

  June 7, 2024 12:20 PM

  ST. MARTINVILLE — Deputies say a contractor that prepared meals in the St. Martin Parish's jail delivered more than meals to inmates. She was booked into the parish jail herself on Friday. Tynequa Lynkel Leopold, 26, was booked into the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center on charges of criminal... more »

• Former corrections deputy arrested for malfeasance in office in St. Mary Parish

  June 6, 2024 6:30 PM

  ST. MARY PARISH - A former corrections deputy was arrested Thursday for malfeasance in office that included sexual conduct. According to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office, Malayie Myon McBride, 20, of Baldwin, was arrested Thursday after an investigation regarding contraband going into the jail revealed McBride had brought... more »

• Louisiana senators OK Kenneth Loftin's controversial appointment to run Juvenile Justice Play Video

  June 3, 2024 4:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Louisiana's state senators on Monday approved Kenneth Loftin for the top spot in the Office of Juvenile Justice despite concerns over the way he led the Ware Youth Center in north Louisiana. Loftin had said that accusations that Ware staff members sexually abused children or engaged... more »

• Tangipahoa temporarily lowers jail head count while addressing recent escapes Play Video

  May 30, 2024 3:45 PM

  HAMMOND — The sheriff-elect of Tangipahoa Parish said Thursday that the inmate population at the parish jail has been reduced temporarily as guards deal with the aftermath of two escapes. Four prisoners broke out in separate incidents last weekend. Two were apprehended within a day, but two others were... more »

• Three killed, four hurt in weekend shootings across Capital Area Play Video

  April 28, 2024 7:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Three people were killed and four were injured in shootings across the Capital Area over the weekend. On Saturday, the Baton Rouge Police Department said 23-year-old Daon Scott was found shot to death at BREC's Longfellow Park around 3 a.m. Nearly an hour later, 51-year-old... more »

• Local attorney, 77, accused of smuggling drugs to inmate, helping pay off witnesses Play Video

  November 30, 2023 1:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A longtime local attorney is charged in a felony case that accuses him of trying to smuggle drugs to an inmate inside the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, and -- in a separate matter -- of trying to pay witnesses so they would not to show up... more »

• Texas man charged with rape, trafficking in Baton Rouge

  November 18, 2023 1:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A 24-year-old Texas man is in jail facing charges of rape and trafficking following his arrest this week. Records show that Brian Moore, of Beaumont, was booked on Friday on those counts, along with a count of theft valued at more than $1,000. He is... more »

• Spanish Town carjacking suspect never booked, community asks why Play Video

  November 6, 2023 4:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A teen accused of a carjacking near downtown Baton Rouge was caught by police, but juvenile detention refused to take him. People who live in the neighborhood where it happened want to know why the teenager is back on the street. The carjacking happened Oct. 17... more »

• Police: Accused rapist beat up girlfriend who wouldn't appease his fecal fetish Play Video

  May 15, 2023 3:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE - It appears the system has failed again after a man with an active arrest warrant for beating up his girlfriend managed to make three court appearances without anyone realizing he was also wanted on more charges. That man, Corey Handy, was out of jail on bail... more »

• Police: Nathan Millard's death blamed on overdose; drug dealer kept body in his car for days Play Video

  March 16, 2023 12:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A man linked to Nathan Millard's disappearance was booked on additional charges after police determined that he was responsible for crudely disposing of the tourist's body after he died from what is believed to have been a drug overdose. Derrick Perkins , 45, was booked on... more »

• Police make arrest after break-in at Louisiana zoo; stolen monkeys still missing

  February 7, 2023 3:07 PM

  BROUSSARD - Police have arrested a man suspected of taking a dozen monkeys from an enclosure at a Lafayette-area zoo, though the animals remain missing. Broussard Police announced Tuesday that Joseph Randall, 61, of Opelousas was booked for burglary and 12 counts of animal cruelty just over a week... more »

• Lawsuit over EBR Parish Prison suicide to move forward without sheriff as defendant

  February 3, 2023 1:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed after the death of an inmate in early 2020, but has removed the East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff as a defendant. U.S. District Court Judge John DeGravelles denied the City Parish... more »

• Lawyer was wearing ankle monitor when he allegedly set ex's home on fire; brazen crime caught on camera Play Video

  January 14, 2023 12:14 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A Texas-based lawyer is accused of repeatedly violating a protective order by harassing the mother of his child in a troubling pattern of behavior that culminated in him allegedly setting her home on fire. According to the Baton Rouge Fire Department, 30-year-old Christian King set the... more »

• Plaquemine parks closed as city tries to clean up after vandals

  October 25, 2022 3:13 PM

  PLAQUEMINE - City parks in Plaquemine could stay closed for weeks after a "very costly" wave of vandalism targeting public property. Mayor Edwin Reeves Jr. announced Tuesday that city-operated parks will be closed while officials try to replace destroyed security cameras at those properties, which could take two to... more »

• Rapper Mystikal asking judge to reconsider bond in Ascension rape case

  October 17, 2022 2:43 PM

  PRAIRIEVILLE - Louisiana-based rapper Mystikal is asking a judge to allow him to bond out of jail while he awaits trial for an alleged rape at his Ascension Parish home. Attorney's representing the musician, whose real name is Michael Tyler, presented several motions Monday, including a request to reinstate... more »

• Activists want parents of neglected woman in jail; parents react through lawyer Play Video

  April 27, 2022 5:22 PM

  SLAUGHTER - Advocates for those with disabilities believe the parents of a severely neglected woman who was found dead on a couch should be in jail. Khadijah Gray-Washington first heard about what happened to Lacey Fletcher after The WBRZ Investigative Unit reported she was found dead in her parents'... more »

• Man jailed in Perkins Rowe kidnapping has decades-old history of rape arrests Play Video

  April 19, 2022 3:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A man accused of sexually assaulting a woman after he abducted her from a shopping center parking garage was arrested for rape in at least three other cases dating back decades. According to the Louisiana Department of Corrections, 69-year-old Leon Curry III was released from state... more »

• Suspected shooter in custody after police standoff at apartment complex on Bluebonnet Boulevard

  March 22, 2022 4:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Police took a person into custody after a standoff at an apartment complex Tuesday afternoon. Officers arrested 22-year-old Tavion Hampton, who was charged with illegal use of a weapon, aggravated flight, possession of a machine gun, three counts of aggravated criminal damage to property and felon... more »

• Former teacher Cynthia Perkins sentenced to 41 years without parole in child sex crimes case Play Video

  February 18, 2022 10:57 AM

  LIVINGSTON - Cynthia Perkins, a former teacher who pleaded guilty to her role in a disturbing child sex crimes case involving her ex-husband, will spend 41 years in prison without parole. Perkins rattled off a lengthy apology to the victims, as well as her friends and family, before... more »

• Man with 20 arrests found living in attic of woman's Louisiana apartment

  October 26, 2021 1:41 PM

  LACASSINE - A man with a long history of arrests was booked into jail once again after it was discovered he'd been living in the attic of an apartment without the tenant realizing it. The Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office said Gregory Bonnette, 33, was arrested again Monday after... more »

• Two arrested in deadly August shooting on Simplex Street

  September 28, 2021 2:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Police arrested two men in a double shooting that left a man dead last month. The U.S. Marshals assisted BRPD Detectives in arresting Marvin Payne, 32, and Jeremy Payne, 29, for their involvement in the shooting on Simplex Street near Cadillac Street. Both men were... more »

• Hundreds of inmates evacuated from Angola dorms due to overnight prison fire

  August 11, 2021 1:00 PM

  ANGOLA - A late-night fire at the state penitentiary in Angola led to prison staff evacuating nearly 300 inmates from their living spaces. The Department of Corrections said the fire was reported around 1 a.m. Wednesday at the prison in West Feliciana Parish. A DOC spokesperson said the fire... more »

• State prisons suspending visitations and volunteering amid new COVID surge

  July 27, 2021 4:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State-run prisons have put a stop to visitations and volunteering due to a startling increase in new coronavirus cases across the state. The Department of Corrections said Tuesday that the new policy is effective immediately in Louisiana's eight state-run prisons until Aug. 16. A spokesperson... more »

• Judge allowing offenders to get COVID vaccine in place of community service hours Play Video

  July 27, 2021 12:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE - At least one judge in East Baton Rouge is offering some people on probation the option to get the coronavirus vaccine in place of some of their court-mandated service hours. Court records obtained by WBRZ show Judge Fred T. Crifasi allowed at least two different people... more »

• Teen arrested in carjacking at OLOL linked to other violent crime Play Video

  July 15, 2021 6:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Employees at Our Lady of the Lake hospital were on high alert after a nurse was attacked by an armed carjacker last week. Baton Rouge Police arrested a 15-year-old Wednesday in the crime. Officers found the nurse's car in the Gardere area. "Now investigators will... more »

• VIDEO: Woman on tractor arrested after forcing her way into Fourth of July parade, evading police Play Video

  July 5, 2021 4:25 PM

  ROCKWALL, Tex. - A woman was arrested over the holiday weekend after she allegedly ignored warnings from law enforcement and joined a Fourth of July parade while riding a tractor. Police confronted Laurie Bostic, 61, late Saturday morning after she caused a scene near the staging area of the... more »

• Man upset at ex's new boyfriend allegedly had his truck set on fire

  June 15, 2021 1:01 PM

  TALLULAH - A man was arrested after he allegedly had a friend set fire to a truck belonging to his former girlfriend's new boyfriend. The state fire marshal's office identified the suspects as Joshua White, 32, and Ernest Wilson, 27. On June 10, deputies responded to a call... more »

• Body camera video captured Port Allen officer tasing 67-year-old handcuffed suspect

  April 12, 2021 1:36 PM

  PORT ALLEN – A Port Allen police officer was placed on leave and arrested after department body cameras recorded him tasing a 67-year-old who was handcuffed in custody last month. Details of the situation were revealed when the Port Allen Police Department issued a news release Monday and WBRZ... more »

• Police: 'Large bulge' led officers to gun hidden in convict's pants

  March 26, 2021 5:29 PM

  THIBODAUX - A man pulled over by police for a minor vehicle violation was allegedly packing bigger problems. Convicted felon Tyler Vinning, 25, was stopped for a headlamp violation on March 19 when officers noticed a "large bulge" in the front of Vinning's pants. When they searched him, they... more »