Fight in Wal-Mart yields arrests
NPD Natchitoches Police Department responded to the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Keyser Ave. Sept. 26 in reference to a reported as “in progress” inside the store. Officers responded to the store’s interior locating and arresting multiple suspects. Arrested were Earlena Lucas, 17, one male juvenile, and one female juvenile. All were charged with one count Simple Battery. The incident was then turned over to the Natchitoches Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division for further investigation. Detectives later gathered evidence which led to the arrest of Sharon Duncantell, 52, and Faith Duncantell, 17, both arrested on one count of Disturbing the Peace. The Natchitoches Police Department wants to reassure the community that such public disturbances shall not be tolerated. If anyone has information about this incident, contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or the Natchitoches Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, Detective Commander Jeff Townson at (318) 357-3878. All calls shall be kept confidential.
Counterfeit bills used to buy car
Tyler B. Jilg, 33, of Shreveport pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby to one count of passing or uttering counterfeit obligations or securities. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote. According to the guilty plea, Shreveport Police saw a reportedly stolen black Lexus parked in front of a house March 24. Two days before, Sarah McClain, 22, also of Shreveport, reported her ex-boyfriend, Tyler Jilg, had stolen her black Lexus. After investigating, Shreveport Police determined that Jilg and McClain bought the car from another person using 58 counterfeit $100 bills. The owner realized sometime after the transaction the money was counterfeit and tried to make contact with the defendants, but they ignored him. After his arrest, Jilg admitted to passing the counterfeit money to the car owner. Jilg faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set sentencing for Jan. 9, 2019. McClain also pleaded guilty to the same count as Jilg Sept. 5. The court set McClain’s sentencing date for Dec. 12. The U.S. Secret Service and the Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara is prosecuting the case.
Jury finds ‘Block Boyz’ guilty
United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a federal jury in Shreveport found five members of the “Block Boyz” gang guilty on RICO and drug trafficking offenses, as well as firearm offenses. The five Shreveport residents found guilty were: DeMarcus D. Morris, 29; Jimmie R. Durden Jr., 29; Lonnie D. Johnson, 24; Gary J. McCain, 24; and Larshanda C. Davenport, 45. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote presided over the trial that started Monday, September 17, 2018 and ended today. The jury deliberated for approximately five hours before returning the verdict. All of the defendants were named as part of a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization or RICO conspiracy in the indictment, which was filed in July of 2017. The defendants were found guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Distributing Crack Cocaine, and Distributing Powder Cocaine. The “Block Boyz” gang has terrorized the Queensborough neighborhood for too long,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph. “Today’s verdict will bring some peace to the citizens in Shreveport, and sends a clear message to drug dealers and gangs that this type of violent crime will not be tolerated – you will go to federal prison. These defendants were given a fair trial, and now they will face their consequences. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners and the citizens of our communities to rid our streets of violent crime, and make our communities a safer place to work, live and play.“ “I applaud the jury’s decision and thank them for their hard work and sacrifices throughout this trial,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric J. Rommal stated. “I also commend the great work put forth by all of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to locate, apprehend, and bring the “Block Boyz” to justice. Without a doubt, the residents of Shreveport will feel much safer now and hopefully be able to reclaim their neighborhoods.” Evidence admitted at trial revealed that beginning in 2012, the defendants took part in a criminal organization known as the “Block Boyz” and the “Get Money Boyz” or “GMB.” The organization distributed controlled substances, murdered, robbed, possessed firearms illegally and conducted other crimes primarily within the Queensborough and Ingleside neighborhoods of Shreveport. Gang members were charged with at least 66 acts that members of the organization committed to further the RICO conspiracy. The acts include threats, sale of drugs and shootings. The organization sold crack cocaine, powder cocaine, roxicodone, marijuana, ecstasy and alprazolam. Gang members sold illegal drugs and committed armed robberies. They maintained and circulated a collection of firearms for use in their criminal activity and used cell phones to operate their criminal enterprise. Members of the organization bragged about their illegal activity, such as their possession of firearms, and took pictures of themselves with firearms and money to intimidate others and increase their position in the community. As a result of their conviction on the RICO count, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison. In addition to the RICO penalties, four of the five defendants face additional penalties for the drug and firearm offenses. The defendants also face fines up to $5 million and forfeiture of property seized in the case. Frank J. Morris, 25; Ravion M. Alford, 23; Rodrick R. Hicks, 24; and Golanda W. Atkins, 41 all of Shreveport, were also indicted as part of the conspiracy. Alford pleaded guilty on December 21, 2017 to the RICO count. The court set sentencing for October 17, 2018. Hicks pleaded guilty on January 29, 2018 to the RICO count with a sentencing date of October 17, 2018. Morris pleaded guilty on August 30, 2018 to the RICO count with a sentencing date of January 4, 2019. Atkins was dismissed from the indictment on September 7, 2018. The FBI Northwest Louisiana Violent Crimes Task Force, ATF, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Shreveport Police Department participated in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison D. Bushnell and Tennille M. Gilreath are prosecuting the case.
Women arrested for fraud
A Bossier City woman and a Shreveport woman voluntarily surrendered Sept. 21after learning the Louisiana State Police (LSP) had issued arrest warrants for forgery, identity theft and computer fraud. In March of 2018, the LSP Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit (IFAT) Shreveport Field Office opened an investigation regarding forged documents sent to Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Louisiana, Mutual of Omaha and Colonial Life Insurance companies. LSP-IFAT detectives concluded the investigation last week resulting in warrants for Kristy S. Fleming, 52, of Bossier City and Natalie N. Morgan, 39, of Shreveport. The offenses took place while the two women were employed by Gibsland Bank & Trust (d/b/a GBT Insurance Agency). Fleming was employed as an insurance producer and Morgan was her assistant. The women turned themselves into authorities and were booked into the Bossier Parish maximum security facility. The investigation thwarted a potential fraud amount of $600,000.00 per year. They were charged with the following: Kristy S. Fleming – Forgery (5 counts), identity theft (5 counts) and computer fraud (5 counts) Natalie N. Morgan – Forgery (1 count), identity theft (1 count) and computer fraud (1 count) Fleming’s bond was set at $20,000 and Morgan’s bond was set at $15,000. The Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit urges anyone who may have knowledge of a fraudulent scheme or the location of a stolen vehicle to report the activity by emailing insurance.fraud.unit@dps.la.gov or calling 225.925.3701.
Inmate attacks corrections officer
East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Deputies have booked a Dixon Correctional Institute (DCI) inmate with attempted second degree rape after he attacked a DCI correctional officer this morning. The attack happened at approximately 7 a.m. when 34-year-old Jeffery Ford came up behind the female officer, put her in a choke hold, and threw her to the ground. The officer fought Ford. Several inmates jumped in to assist the officer, and quickly helped subdue the inmate. Ford is serving 40 years for a Feb. 12, 2003, attempted aggravated rape conviction out of Orleans Parish. His full term release date is June 6, 2042. The officer’s injuries were non-life threatening. An investigation is ongoing. Ford is currently in administrative segregation pending the outcome of the investigation.
Body scanner detects contraband
A new body scanner at Louisiana State Penitentiary helped correctional officers thwart a visitor’s drug smuggling attempt at the prison. The body scanner detected a foreign object inside 22-year-old Brittany Brokeisha Alexus, of 204 Rue Royale, Apartment B, Lafayette. When Officers questioned Alexus, she rapidly headed to her vehicle in the parking lot. The prison’s shakedown team searched her vehicle and discovered a plastic bag containing several water bottles with hidden compartments. One of the bottles contained 58.3 grams of synthetic marijuana. West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Detectives booked Alexus with Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule 1 Sythetic Cannabinoids. The body scanners at state prisons are helping prevent visitors from smuggling drugs into the prisons. The Department warns visitors, they are subject to search when entering any state prison, and will be arrested if caught attempting to bring contraband onto the property.
Teen accused of killing calf
A Jefferson Davis Parish teenager is accused of shooting and killing a calf in the Iowa community. Following an anonymous tip, investigators with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission and the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Department gathered evidence and charged a 14 year old with criminal damage to property. The teenager was also charged at the local jurisdiction with aggravated cruelty to animals. LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said, “I urge anyone with information regarding crimes involving livestock and farm related crimes to contact their local law enforcement officers and/or the LDAF Livestock Crimestoppers Hotline.” The LDAF Livestock Crimestoppers number is 800-558-9741.
