Tagged News

• 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 »

• 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 »

• 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 »

• Paramedic convicted of falsifying prescriptions while posing as doctor sentenced to six months in prison Play Video

  November 5, 2025 7:20 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A man who pleaded guilty to falsifying prescriptions while posing as a doctor has been sentenced to six months in prison, The Advocate reports. The paper reported that U.S. District Judge John deGravelles opted for the low end, citing the fact that Samrat Mukherjee had no... more »

• Nearly 20 ICE detainees at Angola on hunger strike Play Video

  September 21, 2025 9:51 AM

  ICE detainees have gone on a hunger strike at Angola State Penitentiary due to the lack of medical care and hygiene products available to them, according to a press release from the National Immigration Project and the Southeast Dignity Not Detention Coalition. They reported on Saturday that a group... more »

• New women's prison adjacent to Elayn Hunt Correction Center opens in St. Gabriel Play Video

  August 28, 2025 11:08 AM

  ST. GABRIEL — A newly constructed state prison opened its doors in St. Gabriel on Thursday. The $160 million facility, the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women, has 15 buildings spread across 300,000 square feet. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections said the 958-bed facility includes spaces specifically... more »

• Two men on trial for 2023 nightclub shooting avoid prison time after pleading guilty to reduced charges Play Video

  July 16, 2025 4:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Two of four suspects in a 2023 College Drive nightclub shooting avoided prison time by pleading guilty to reduced charges Wednesday. Jy’Shaun Jackson, 21, and Shawnchez Lemar, 24, both pleaded guilty to single counts of aggravated battery. The men were previously charged with 12 counts each... more »

• Honduran national pleads guilty to child porn charges; faces deportation after prison sentence Play Video

  July 15, 2025 3:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A Honduran man pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography, the U.S. Attorney from the Middle District of Louisiana said Tuesday. Olvin Rodriguez-Inestroza, 22, a Honduran national in the United States without authorization, pleaded guilty to using internet-based accounts and a social media mobile application to distribute... more »

• Columbia protester Mahmoud Khalil freed from immigration detention Play Video

  June 20, 2025 2:27 PM

  JENA, La. (AP) — Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was released Friday from federal immigration detention, freed by a judge’s ruling after becoming a symbol of President Donald Trump ’s clampdown on campus protests. The former Columbia University graduate student left a federal facility in Louisiana on Friday. He is... more »

• New Roads drug dealer caught with 18lbs of heroin sentenced to 230 years in prison

  June 11, 2025 7:02 PM

  NEW ROADS — A New Roads man was sentenced to 230 years in prison for running a drug operation in Pointe Coupee Parish. Elie T. Edwards, 46, was the target of a 2022 drug bust in which more than 18 pounds of heroin, four pounds of marijuana and one... 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 »

• Lobbyist sentenced to 5 years in prison, fined $5K after pleading guilty to child porn charges Play Video

  April 30, 2025 4:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A federal judge has sentenced a longtime lawyer and lobbyist to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing more than 550 images of child pornography. James Burland, 70, must also pay $5,000 under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act and register as... 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 »

• Lawmakers want to lighten the load for juvenile courts Play Video

  April 29, 2025 8:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A proposal could lighten the load of felony cases juvenile courts have to work. The measure being considered could move some teenage defendants to adult court. In committee, those opposing the bill compared it to Amendment Three, which lost by a 2 to 1 margin at... more »

• Man sentenced to 15 years in prison after killing teenager while driving under the influence Play Video

  March 26, 2025 7:00 PM

  LIVINGSTON — A man who killed a teenager while driving under the influence in 2023 has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Before a Livingston Parish judge on Tuesday, 50-year-old William Cokes pleaded no contest to vehicular homicide of 19-year-old Caleb Easterling. According to court documents, Cokes also... more »

• Man found guilty in 2021 attempted murder of 17-year-old girl; could face 50 years in prison Play Video

  March 19, 2025 5:19 PM

  PORT ALLEN — A man was found guilty Wednesday of nearly killing a 17-year-old in St. Gabriel during a 2021 shooting. Jordan St. Clair Clark, 28, faces 50 years in prison for the attempted second-degree murder of a teenage girl who was attending a birthday party for her boyfriend... more »

• US transfers immigrants out of Guantanamo Bay to Louisiana as court weighs legality

  March 14, 2025 5:46 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. authorities have removed immigrants from detention facilities at the Guantanamo Bay naval base as a federal court in Washington weighs a challenge by civil rights advocates to holding immigrants at the offshore military station. A spokesperson for the U.S. Southern Command on Thursday said that... more »

• Man sentenced to life in prison after conviction in 2016 North Foster Drive nightclub shooting Play Video

  March 14, 2025 5:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A man was sentenced to life in prison after his conviction in the 2016 murder of a 30-year-old man outside of a North Foster Drive nightclub. Horace Smith, 45, was convicted of second-degree murder for the October 2016 killing of Christopher Edwards outside of The Executive... more »

• Fire during construction prompts inmate evacuation at Tangipahoa Jail; population secure and safe Play Video

  March 13, 2025 12:23 PM

  AMITE - Officials said a fire at the Tangipahoa Parish Jail prompted an inmate evacuation Thursday morning. The fire started due to construction on one of the campus buildings. No one was injured and the affected areas were evacuated while the building was aired out and evaluated. As of... 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 »

• Tangipahoa Parish work release inmate in custody after walking off job Play Video

  February 20, 2025 12:03 PM

  KENTWOOD - Deputies took a work release inmate into custody after he allegedly walked off the job Thursday morning. Markel Alexander, 35, was working in the 500 block of Railroad Avenue Thursday before he was seen leaving the area in a black sedan, possibly a Corolla. Alexander was... more »

• Landry, AG's office announce plans to fight DOJ lawsuit alleging over-detention in state prisons Play Video

  December 21, 2024 3:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill on Saturday said that they will fight the Department of Justice's lawsuit against Louisiana and its correctional department that alleges it holds prisoners detained past their sentences, calling the lawsuit "frivolous." “This is Grinch Joe Biden’s parting Christmas... 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 »

• Former Iberville Parish deputy sentenced to life for coercing a woman into raping her infant son Play Video

  November 8, 2024 11:49 AM

  ST. GABRIEL - A former Iberville Parish deputy found guilty for coercing a woman to rape her one-year-old son was sentenced to life in prison. Shaderick Jones, 47, was sentenced to life in prison Thursday after being found guilty in October of acting as principal to first-degree rape, as... more »

• Livingston Parish trusty briefly escapes custody before deputies, police return him to parish jail Play Video

  November 7, 2024 11:50 AM

  LIVINGSTON — A Livingston Parish Detention Center trusty incarcerated on drug and theft charges briefly escaped deputies Thursday morning before being apprehended by deputies. Jason Easley, 26, will face more charges after he escaped custody for less than 15 minutes, Sheriff Jason Ard said. Ard said Easley made... more »

• Man convicted of dealing meth, fentanyl, heroin out of Baton Rouge 'stash house' sentenced to 22 years

  November 4, 2024 11:18 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A Baton Rouge man recently found guilty of dealing meth, fentanyl and heroin out of a Baton Rouge stash house was sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison by a federal judge, officials said Monday. Corey Terrell Gardner, 33, was sentenced to 260 months in federal... more »

• WATCH: TikTok star booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, jailed for murder of Baton Rouge man Play Video

  October 7, 2024 4:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A TikTok star accused of murdering a Baton Rouge therapist was booked Monday into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison after he was arrested in Dallas. Terryon Thomas, 20, is accused of murdering William Nicholas “Nick” Abraham, 69. Deputies said that Abraham was last seen alive... 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 »

• State Police will investigate Elayn Hunt misconduct allegations following WBRZ Investigative Unit report Play Video

  August 26, 2024 12:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry announced Monday he has asked state police to investigate the Department of Corrections—specifically allegations of a rampant drug problem at Elayn Hunt Correctional—following a report by WBRZ's Investigative Unit. "Some of the allegations in the reporting that's been done on activities that have... more »

• Baton Rouge man sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for possession, distribution of meth

  August 16, 2024 3:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A U.S. district judge sentenced a 47-year-old Baton Rouge man to 16 years in federal prison after the man was convicted for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Allen Ambrose was arrested in June 2022 after a search warrant. Ambrose fled when he saw agents and... 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 »

• Felon back in jail after illegally modified gun found in home; could be charged as habitual offender Play Video

  July 10, 2024 8:25 AM

  BATON ROUGE— A convicted felon is now back in jail after Baton Rouge Police found an illegally modified handgun while searching his home. Detectives say they found a handgun fitted with a Glock switch in 34-year-old Christopher Carter's home while executing a search warrant. Carter is being held... more »

• Angola guards stopped inmate who escaped to roof of building after stabbing fellow prisoner Play Video

  July 9, 2024 6:28 PM

  ANGOLA — An attempted escape from the Louisiana State Penitentiary Tuesday morning was preceded by a stabbing, according to sources. One inmate reportedly stabbed another, and then proceeded to manage to get to the roof of the Camp D prison facility. The inmate who was stabbed received non-life-threatening injuries.... 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 »

• Tangipahoa Parish residents concerned after inmate escapes; 2 still on the run Play Video

  May 28, 2024 6:26 PM

  TANGIPAHOA PARISH - In the last four days, four inmates have escaped Tangipahoa Parish Jail. So far, only two inmates have been caught and the other two remain at large. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said Avery Guidry and Trayvon Johnson escaped from the jail Saturday and were captured... more »

• East Baton Rouge prison task force discusses possible new parish detention center, seeks public input Play Video

  May 22, 2024 4:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The East Baton Rouge Parish Prison and Juvenile Detention Task Force asked the public for feedback regarding a possible new jail after city leaders said the current facilities are dilapidated. At a meeting on Tuesday night, parish agencies began exploring ways to replace the current facility,... more »

• Man who kidnapped, raped LSU student at gunpoint in 2017 sentenced to 30 years in prison Play Video

  May 21, 2024 4:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A Baton Rouge man convicted of kidnapping an LSU student from sorority row and raping her at gunpoint was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Frank Alvaro Herrera Jr., 28, pleaded guilty to the 2017 rape , kidnapping and armed robbery earlier in May before Monday's... 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 »

• Mistakenly released from jail, armed fugitive found hiding out at Slidell hotel

  October 13, 2023 4:02 PM

  SLIDELL - Police captured a fugitive Thursday night who's been on the run for months after he was "mistakenly" released from the St. Tammany Parish jail. The Slidell Police Department said officers stumbled on 40-year-old Donyale James of Folsom while investigating an unrelated call at the Quality Inn on... more »

• Louisiana DOC remembers first Black warden on his passing

  August 4, 2023 12:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The first Black warden in the Louisiana Department of Corrections system has died. The DOC on Friday announced the passing of Johnnie Jones, who retired in 2006 after more than 30 years with the agency. In 2018, Jones received his Ph.D. from LSU at the... more »

• Officer who tased handcuffed man gets prison time in malfeasance case Play Video

  January 10, 2023 4:54 PM

  PORT ALLEN - The Port Allen Police Officer who used a taser on a handcuffed man twice is sitting in prison after he changed his plea from "not guilty" to "guilty." Watch live newscasts here Former officer Nolan Dehon was sentenced to 16 months in prison for malfeasance... more »

• Suspect jailed without bond after shooting at Southern fraternity party Play Video

  October 24, 2022 2:14 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A man accused of firing shots into a crowd of partygoers after a fight broke out at a Southern University fraternity house is being kept in jail without the possibility of bonding out for now. Jaicedric Williams, 22, was arrested early Sunday afternoon, days after the... 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 »

• 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 »

• Prisoner accused of smuggling drugs into jail, leading to inmate's death

  February 4, 2022 7:33 PM

  WASHINGTON PARISH - Two inmates were arrested after another inmate died when they all took drugs together in prison. The Washington Parish Sheriff's Office told WWL-TV that 42-year-old Prentis Slocum hid narcotics inside his body before he was transferred from the Pike County jail in Mississippi to Washington Parish... more »

• Louisiana man freed after serving 12 years in prison for murder he didn't commit

  December 16, 2021 3:38 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - An innocent man is free again after spending 12 years in prison because of a wrongful murder conviction. Kendall Gordon was convicted of second-degree murder in 2010, and he was sentenced to life in prison at only 19 years old. WWLTV reported he was released Thursday... more »

• Man arrested after allegedly shooting woman's dog, breaking into her house

  November 27, 2021 12:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A man was arrested after allegedly shooting a dog while it was locked in a kennel and then breaking into a home and threatening the owner. Baton Rouge police officers said 35-year-old Richard Lovely went to a woman's home on Balis Drive around 1 a.m. and... 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 »

• Two juveniles arrested after escaping Juvenile Detention Center

  July 19, 2021 9:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Two juveniles escaped the East Baton Rouge Juvenile Detention Center and were gone for a day and a half. Baton Rouge Police said a 16-year-old and 17-year-old were arrested at the OYO Hotel at 4:23 p.m. Monday. Officers said the two males escaped Sunday around... more »

• LSU student arrested for allegedly attacking another student with a brick, pocket knife and teeth

  April 10, 2021 4:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A LSU student was arrested for allegedly attacking another student, threatening him with a knife and biting him. According to the East Baton Rouge Prison affidavit, Freddie Peter Washington, 20, assaulted the victim in the East Campus Apartment parking lot on Friday night, in an attempt... more »

• Sheriff: A dozen inmates test positive for COVID-19 at Livingston Parish jail

  December 8, 2020 5:44 PM

  LIVINGSTON - A dozen inmates are currently quarantined at the Livingston Parish jail after testing positive for the coronavirus, Sheriff Jason Ard confirmed. According to the sheriff's office, those 12 inmates have been placed in quarantine as of Tuesday afternoon. The sheriff emphasized that those inmates are being held... more »

• Inmate dead after fight Tuesday morning inside Angola

  September 1, 2020 4:34 PM

  ANGOLA - Criminal charges may be filed after a fight between inmates at the state penitentiary left one of them dead. A pair of inmates were involved in a fight Tuesday (September 1) morning, prison officials said. One of the inmates in the fight died a short time after... more »

• St. Tammany Parish Jail inmate tests positive for COVID-19, says deputies

  April 18, 2020 4:56 PM

  St. TAMMANY PARISH - One inmate in the St. Tammany Parish Jail has tested positive for COVID-19 Friday evening. The inmate began showing symptoms earlier this week, and was immediately placed in isolation. When the inmate began to show symptoms of COVID-19 the medical staff at the jail placed... more »

• State moving inmates with coronavirus to Angola prison; one moved from Iberville jail Thursday

  April 2, 2020 6:31 PM

  PLAQUEMINE - An inmate at the Iberville Parish Jail has tested positive for coronavirus and is being moved to Angola Prison, where other sick mates are being held. Sheriff Brett Stassi confirmed Thursday that an inmate at the jail was diagnosed with COVID-19. Stassi says that inmate was sent... more »

• Federal prison in Louisiana reports first COVID-19 death

  March 29, 2020 6:24 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal prison in Louisiana has reported its first death due to COVID-19. Accodring to the Washington Post, Patrick Jones, 49, was the first inmate in the Federal Bureau of Prisons to test positive for Covid-19 on March 19, and was the first to die from... more »