Police: Dead man was aggressor in Monday incident

The man who was shot in the 300 block of Florence and died about an hour later at LSU-Bogalusa Medical Center has been identified as the aggressor and not the victim.

Kendrick Rashard Cook, 23, died about an hour later in the emergency room after police and other emergency personnel responded to a call at 3:38 p.m.

Upon arrival, police found Cook on the ground and a second male, identified as Brandon "BeBe" Morris with his hands up in the air, Bogalusa Police Chief Joe Culpepper told wpnewsblog.

"Witness statements led us to believe Mr. Cook opened fire on two people walking down the street," Culpepper said. "One of the two men had a gun in their car, got it and shot him. When police arrived, he (Morris) had thrown his weapon on the ground and hand his hands in the air."

Culpepper said the police department was treating the case as justifiable homicide.

Cook has a history of violent crime, having been arrested for attempted second degree murder and use of a dangerous weapon after an incident in June 2010.

Culpepper said Morris had "no history" with the department.

Culpepper said because a death was involved, he would send the department's investigation file to the district attorney's office for a decision on disposition of the case.

Sobriety checkpoints under way in Washington Parish

Since 9 p.m. tonight, members of the Louisiana State Police, with assistance from the Bogalusa Police, Franklinton Police and Washington Parish Sheriff's Office, have been conducting sobriety checkpoints.

Trooper Nick Manale of Troop L said, "Every year on the highways across the state of Louisiana, numerous people are killed or injured by impaired drivers. Sobriety checkpoints are an effective enforcement tool serving as a deterrent to impaired and drunken driving."


On Tuesday, 25-year-old Mitchell Wayne Polkey of Bogalusa was indicted for vehicular homicide in connection with the May 5 death of 84-year-old Carl Edward Harrell. According to reports from the Mandeville Police Department, Polkey was driving on the U.S. 190 Service Road near Banner Ford when he lost control. The vehicle left the roadway and hit a tree.


At the time, Polkey was arrested on multiple charges — including a second-offense DWI.


"The task of stopping these impaired drivers is a joint effort of law enforcement agencies and the public," Manale added. "By never allowing an impaired driver to get behind the wheel of a vehicle and reporting dangerous drivers to law enforcement, the public can play an important role in the reduction of crashes caused by impaired drivers."


If you see someone you suspect is driving impaired, call the Louisiana State Police by dialing *577 on your cell phone.

Drug roundup: 13 of 17 now behind bars

Thirteen of seventeen individuals sought on warrants in connection with a roundup of local and area drug dealers are now in Washington Parish Jail in Franklinton.

"Everything went really smooth," explained Bogalusa Police Chief Joe Culpepper. "The planning, preparation and execution took a lot of work, but after that it all went very well."

The arrests brought to a close a multi-agency task force investigation. The task force was made up of agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, LSP Criminal Investigations Division Hammond Field Office and the Bogalusa Police Department.

The investigation began in June of 2010, when detectives identified a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) lead by Derek Moss, (B/M age 44) of Marrero, suspected of trafficking cocaine throughout the Bogalusa area.

Moss, a native of Washington Parish, established Bogalusa as the DTO’s base of operation utilizing residents to distribute narcotics throughout the community.

On Feb. 19, 2011, Moss and several high ranking members of the DTO were arrested without incident resulting in the disruption of the criminal enterprise. The subsequent investigation led to the identification of the 17 individuals sought on Tuesday.

Those arrested and their charges include:

• Sebastian Levi (B/M age 45) - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)

• John Roberts (B/M age 41) - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)

• Darin Fields (B/M age 29) - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)

• Myrtis Dixon (B/M age 47) - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)

• Luther Whitten Sr. (B/M age 53) - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)

• Diana Ramsher (W/F age 42) – Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Oxycontin), Possession of a weapon in the presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Possession of a CDS in a Drug Free Zone.

• Russell Ramsher (W/M age 40)  - Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Oxycontin), Possession of a weapon in the presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Possession of a CDS in a Drug Free Zone.

• Gregory Bickham (B/M age 41) - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)

• Larry O’Neal Cotton (B/M age 37) - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)

• Roderick McCray (B/M age 27) - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)

• Jada Owens (B/F age 46) - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)

• Roy Short (B/M age 36) - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine) and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

• Johnny Robertson (B/M age 51) - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine) and Possession of Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)

Detectives are continuing their investigation and actively seeking the following suspects:

• Tina Jefferson (B/F age 26) - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)

• Randall Lavinghouse (W/M age 38) - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)

• Willie Holloway (B/M age 31) - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)

• Jason Cooley Jr. (B/M age 30) - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)

Culpepper told wpnewsblog that Jefferson, Lavinghouse and Holloway had contacted police and there was a possibility they would surrender to police.

Mug shots will be available Wednesday.

Who was targeted in today's drug bust?

A total of 17 suspects were targeted in today's drug bust, which centered around Bogalusa, and got under way as officers gathered at 4:30 at the National Guard Readiness Center.

The Bogalusa Police Department had nine on their list:
   • Sebastian Levi
   • John Roberts
   • Tina Jefferson
   • Darin L. Fields
   • Myrtis Dixon a/k/a Myrtis Bickham
   • Luther Whitten, Sr.
   • Randall Lane Lavinghouse
   • Diana Ramsher
   • Russel Ramsher

The Louisiana State Police Narcotics Unit had eight on their list:
   • Willie K. Holloway
   • Gregory "Little Greg" Bickham
   • Larry O'Neal Cotton
   • Roderick McCray
   • Jada Owens
   • Roy Lee Short
   • Jason Cooley, Jr.
   • Johnny R. Robertson

During the briefing of officers, Bogalusa officer D Ray Phelps, who was one of two coordinators of the strikes, warned that any of the individuals could be dangerous, but specifically warned about Holloway and Fields.

Holloway, incidentally, is the victim in the armed robbery allegedly committed by Bogalusa PFC Anton Atkins near the corner of Rosa Pearl and Plum on Sunday night.

Armed robbery charges filed on Bogalusa cop

Anton Atkins, 29, a police officer on the Bogalusa Police Department, has been charged with armed robbery and dangerous use of a weapon.

Anton Atkins

Both charges are felonies and carry a jail sentence of up to 99 years. In addition, while not a separate charge, armed robbery with a gun is listed as part of the complaint as a sentencing enhancement.

Police Chief Joe Culpepper told wpnewsblog that the police department received a complaint at 8:44 p.m. Sunday about an off-duty officer firing his gun.

Culpepper said responding officers found spent casings at the scene, which were collected as evidence and have subsequently been sent, along with Atkins' service revolver, to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office for forensics testing.

"We won't know anything in regards to that until they finish with the tests," Culpepper said.

Culpepper said responding officers, along with detectives, then began conducting an investigation and conducting interviews.

"At the end of the interviews, we had enough evidence to seek the warrants," Culpepper explained.

Culpepper said Atkins had previously worked for the department, then left to work for pardons and parole before returning to the police department in April 2008.

He also said the investigation was ongoing and, that while others might have been involved, only Atkins had been charged at this time. Culpepper also said he investigated a report by wpnewsblog that Atkins' name was not on the booking log and that it was on the report.

"I am thoroughly convinced we have done the right thing (in the handling of the complaint and subsequent arrest)," Culpepper said. "I think there's more to it and that's why the investigation is ongoing."

BREAKING NEWS: Bogalusa police officer arrested in armed robbery

Wpnewblog has learned from multiple, reliable sources, that a Bogalusa police officer has been arrested for armed robbery. A second individual was also arrested in connection with the incident.

Police Chief Joe Culpepper was not expected in the office until about noon Monday and could not be reached by cell phone after multiple attempts.

The incident was alleged to have taken place on Sunday and involved the armed robbery of what sources described as a "known drug dealer." The officer's name did not appear on the Bogalusa  Police Department booking register, although the name of the second person appeared with a lesser charge by their name.

This story will be updated as details are released. wpnewsblog has the names of both alleged robbers, but does not release personal data unless it has been confimed by authorities.


(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)
(Reader news tip story)

Holiday weekend relatively quiet

It was a relatively quiet holiday weekend, at least according to the booking log at the Bogalusa Police Department.

While there were the normal fireworks-related calls that accompany a holiday such as New Years or the Fourth of July, residents and visitors to Bogalusa were generally well-behaved over the long break.

There were a total of 16 bookings logged between July 1 and July 4:

July 1

• Tiffany Temple, Sunset Acres No. 73, Bogalusa. (Failure to appear, unauthorized use of an access card under $500, vehicle burglary). Awaiting transfer to WPSO.

• JaJoun Robinson, 900 Front St., Bogalusa. (Failure to return leased property) Transported to WPSO.

• Tiffany L. Smith Whitehead, 611 Caston, Bogalusa.  (two Failure to appear, fugitive from outside agency).

• Anthony LaChute, 637 Ave. G, Bogalusa. (Failure to appear, three counts running stop sign, three counts no turn signal, no vehicle license, expired inspection sticker, open container, failure to secure registration, no insurance, resisting an officer.)

July 2

• Colbi Massengale, 1021 Lona Rester, Bogalusa. (DWI-1^st, no turn signal, expired license plate)

• Courtney Hines, 57866 Knapp Thomas Road, Bogalusa. (Improper lane change, DWI-1^st. State police)

• Robert L. Bell, III, No. 33, Bogue Projects, Bogalusa. (Criminal damage to property, disturbing the peace-intoxication, resisting and office)

• Thomas L. Washington, 925 E. 4^th, Bogalusa. (Theft by shoplifting)

• Lawrence C. Morris, 1847 Dolly Ave., Bogalusa. (Improper lane usage, driving under suspicion)

July 3

• Jason Duhe, 123 Budget Inn, Bogalusa. (Simple battery)

• Harlon H. Irvine, 12303 Henkins Lane, Spotsylvania, Va. (Careless operation, expired license plate, driving under suspicion, DWI)

• Michael Weaver, 2946 Highway 40, Bush. (Obscenity)

• Richard Grimes, 1718 Ave. F, Bogalusa. (Aggravated battery, possession of drug paraphernalia)

July 4

• Leah Seals, 121 Ramsey Hall Road, Poplarville, Miss. (Possession of drug paraphernalia)

• Rance Smith, 1519 Marshall Richardson, Bogalusa. (Fugitive from outside agency). Awaiting transport to WPSO.

• Shadic Mark, 64070 Hollis Leslie Rd., Angie. (Two failute to appear)

Murder suspect has lengthy history with law

Lafelix D. Miller, 29, who remains in the Washington Parish Jail without bail on murder charges in connection with the beating and strangulation death of 24-year-old Crystal Marie Igleharte, has a lengthy history with law enforcement.

Lafelix D. Miller
(from Facebook)

Miller was arrested on the murder charge on Friday, not Thursday as incorrectly reported by some media outlets. He could face the death penalty if convicted because of the circumstances under which Igleharte was killed.

Bogalusa Chief of Police Joe Culpepper said, “His (criminal) history goes back to at least 2001, He has drug charges and other resisting charges, but I don’t have dispositions on those.”

Miller was arrested about midnight last Tuesday after police were called to report a nude male creating a disturbance in the street. After their arrival, officers took Miller into custody, but not before he resisted arrest and assaulted an officer.

Then, some two hours later, Igleharte's body was discovered in Miller’s front yard.

"When the body was discovered in his front yard (about 2 a.m.), he immediately became a suspect," Culpepper said.

“Evidence recovered from his person, the crime scene, the autopsy and from witness statements led to his arrest earlier today (Friday),” Culpepper said at the time.

Miller’s Facebook © page reveals he was very active in the hours before his arrest, with 46 entries — 19 by email and 27 by Mobile Web. There was no rhyme or reason to the method of his postings, however, as an entry by Mobile Web might be followed by an email entry two minutes later.

Many of the entries, including the first nine, were either titles or lyrics from rap tunes. Other entries related to his newborn child, delivered on May 31 at LSU-Bogalusa Medical Center.

And other entries related to forgiveness, changes in his life and the need to “get moms of fb to show her the changes in life.”

Nine of Miller’s last 11 posts began with, “What's on your mind?

Prior to those nine, he posted, “Man please don't kill me Wtf did I do to yall nothing I made amend with everybody to day I'm going to sign up for me a check let me call miss Gert first she will be there for me the same way I did for her today”

Igleharte, whose last known address was 610 Park Ave. in Columbia, was buried Sunday.

Shooter in attempted murder arrested

Police place attempted murder
suspect Nakai "Head" Butler in
Sgt. Patrick Lyons' cruiser Thursday.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

Members of the Bogalusa Police Department, and State Fugitive Task Force arrested 22-year-old Nakai R. Butler of Kentwood in connection with the attempted murder of a 17-year-old Bogalusa man on Thursday, June 2.

Police executed the warrant at 1303 Military Road, a house long-associated with drug traffic and activity.

In addition, two women and one man — identified as 27-year-old Jennifer Smith of Bogalusa, 43-year-old Mable Mingo of Angie and 45-year-old El Demetrist Jennings of Angie — taken into custody and charged with accessory after the fact to attempted second degree murder (harboring Butler) after they admitted to officers they knew he was wanted.

Mable Mingo

The three were also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and officers at the scene said there was a large amount of drugs in the house.

Approximately two weeks ago, the primary resident of the house was arrested on drug-related charges and was still in jail at the time of Thursday's raid.

Mingo

Ryan Seal, who lives three houses down the street, said he knew of two deaths that had occurred in the house in the 12 years he has lived in the neighborhood.

El Demetrist Jennings

"The ironic thing," Seal said, "is that I was in Chief (Joe) Culpepper's office this morning, telling him we had to do something about this house and the drug traffic. Then, I come home for lunch and here they are ... I thought ‘Man, now that's getting with it!"

Jennings

Culpepper said the assistance of the Fugitive Task Force was requested because Butler, whose nickname is “Head,” has relatives in north Washington Parish area.

Jennifer Smith

Butler has been charged with attempted second-degree murder after shooting a 17-year-old during a fight in the Poplas Quarters area of Bogalusa on June 2. The 17-year-old remains in undisclosed condition at LSU-Bogalusa Medical Center.

Smith

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.com)

(This is a reader news tip story)

Police issue warrant in Thursday shooting

Nakai R. Butler

A warrant for attempted 2nd degree murder has been issued for 22-year-old Nakai R. Butler of Kentwood in connection with the Thursday afternoon shooting of a 17-year-old black male near the intersection of Church and Lincoln Streets in the Poplas Quarters area of Bogalusa.

The victim, who was shot through the jugular vein on both sides of his neck, was taken to LSU-Bogalusa Medical Center shortly before 4 p.m. Emergency personnel were able to stabilize him and control the bleeding and he remains in the hospital. His condition has not been disclosed.

Reports indicate the victim's girlfriend identified the shooter in the incident, which took place about 3:30 p.m. There were also concerns about the girlfriend's health because of the emotional stress and the fact she is pregnant.

A large crowd gathered at the scene of the shooting, as well as at the hospital, where the crowd was estimated at between 50 and 100 persons.

(Posted first at www.wpnewsblog)