Category Archives: Ascension

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Former APSO deputy arrested for Simple Battery

James Atkins II, 34, a former Ascension Parish Sheriffs Deputy, was arrested on Feb. 14 and booked into the Ascension Parish Prison on one count of Simple Battery. The charges stem from an investigation, which was conducted into a report taken by Gonzales Patrol Officers from Feb. 8, where officers responded to a disturbance call made by Atkins at his residence located at 910 Janice Ave.

On Feb. 9, one of the parties involved in the altercation at his residence, whom was gone prior to officers arrival on Feb. 8, came into the police department and reported additional information, which lead to the arrest of Atkins.

He voluntarily surrendered in compliance with the warrant, which was issued for his arrest by the Gonzales Police Department.

Prairieville man indicted on charges including First Degree Rape

On Feb. 13, an Ascension Parish Grand Jury returned a True Bill of Indictment on Stephen Janis, 55, of Prairieville, on the charges of First Degree Rape, False Imprisonment with a Dangerous Weapon, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm and Second Degree Battery.

Janis is accused of raping, beating and holding a woman against her will in November 2016. Investigators with the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office were dispatched to a local hospital where they made contact with the victim who advised them of the incident.

Assistant District Attorney Shawn Bush is the lead prosecutor on this case.

Gonzales man receives sentence after 2015 burglary

On Feb. 14, David Holcombe of Gonzales, age 25, pled guilty to the charge of Simple Burglary. Holcombe was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Phil Maples, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Thomas Kliebert. The guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors following a 2015 burglary.

On Oct. 19, 2015, Ascension Parish Sheriffs Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Bayou Narcisse Road in Gonzales in reference to a burglary. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the homeowner who advised that some items were missing from two vehicles parked under the car port. The homeowner advised that the home is equipped with security cameras.

Investigators reviewed the video surveillance and were able to view the suspect entering the two unlocked vehicles and gaining entry into the garage through a side door. The homeowner noted several miscellaneous items that were missing. Investigators released a portion of the video surveillance to the media and shortly after received a Crime Stoppers tip that the individual in the video Holcombe.

Investigators also located a DNA sample on the scene that was consistent with Holcomes DNA profile. Holcombe was arrested and transported to the Ascension Parish Jail where he confessed to the burglary and was booked accordingly.

Upon entering a guilty plea to the above charge, as per the plea agreement with prosecutors, Judge Kliebert ordered that Holcombe be committed to the Louisiana Department of Corrections for a period of 10 years with credit for time served.

New Orleans man pleads guilty to Ascension bank fraud

On Feb. 15, Frank Nelson of 7543 Tricia Court, New Orleans, 60, pled guilty to Bank Fraud. Nelson was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Phil Maples, and presiding over the matter was the Honorable Judge Thomas Kliebert.

On June 3, 2015, deputies with the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office were dispatched to a Prairieville bank regarding the cashing of a fraudulent check. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with an employee who advised that on May 5, 2015, a black male subject entered the bank and cashed a check in an amount exceeding $2,000. The check appeared to be issued by a Baton Rouge business to a subject by the name of Frank Nelson.

It was later determined that the checks were homemade. Investigators viewed surveillance video and were able to positively identify the individual cashing the check as Nelson. An arrest warrant was issued, and he was subsequently arrested on May 17, 2016. Nelson was transported to the Ascension Parish Jail where he was booked accordingly.

Per Judge Kliebert, sentencing was deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation. Nelson faces up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Gonzales Man Pleads Guilty to Burglary of Local Church Storage Building

On Feb. 15, Michael Duplessis, 34, of 43017 Weber City Road, Gonzales, pled guilty to Simple Burglary. Duplessis was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Phil Maples, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Thomas Kliebert. The guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors following a 2016 burglary.

On July 13, 2016, Ascension Parish Sheriffs Deputies were dispatched to Holy Rosary Church in St. Amant regarding a burglary. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a church employee who advised that he was doing maintenance around the church when he made contact with an unknown white male subject.

The subject advised that he was looking for the food bank. The employee continued to work around the church after directing the subject to the food bank. A short while later, the employee went to the storage shed where he observed that a tool box containing miscellaneous tools was missing.

Deputies were able to identify the unknown subject as Duplessis. Deputies were able to make contact with a relative of Duplessis who advised that he was in possession of the tool box in question and had gotten it at the church.

He was subsequently arrested and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail. It should be noted that Duplessis has two prior burglary convictions.

Upon entering a plea of guilty to the above charge, as per the plea agreement with prosecutors, Judge Kliebert ordered that Duplessis be committed to the Louisiana Department of Corrections for a period of 10 years with credit for time served.

Gonzales Man Pleads Guilty to Burglary and Theft Charges

On Feb. 13, Bret Millet, 52, of 14490 Lake Crossing Drive Gonzales, pled guilty to Simple Burglary, Theft of Goods Valued at $1500 or more, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Millet was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Amy Colby, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Jason Verdigets. This guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors following a 2015 residential burglary.

On July 6, 2015, Ascension Parish Sheriffs Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Stafford Estates Subdivision Road, Gonzales, in reference to a residential burglary. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the complainant who advised that when he arrived at his fathers residence, he observed that the front door was wide open.

The complainant also advised that there were multiple miscellaneous items missing from throughout the residence. Investigators dusted for fingerprints and were able to swab a small amount of blood on a piece of glass that had been broken during the burglary. The blood sample was sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab where it was analyzed for potential DNA. The blood sample matched the DNA composition of Bret Millet. Deputies also located Millets identification card on the ground near the residence.

An arrest warrant was then issued for Millet. On July 7, 2015, sheriffs deputies made contact with Millet at his residence and advised him of the arrest warrant. While Millet was being placed into handcuffs, deputies observed that Millet was holding a crack pipe, or device commonly used for smoking crack cocaine. He was arrested and transported to the Ascension Parish jail where he was booked accordingly.

Guilty Pleas

During the week of Feb. 13 to Feb. 17, the following defendants pled guilty to various charges and were sentenced in the 23rd Judicial District Court, parishes of Ascension, Assumption and St. James.

Ascension Parish

Cyril Ezumezu, 1223 N. Coolidge Ave., Gonzales, 30, pled guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance. Sentencing was deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation.

Morris Miles, 502 Front St. Donaldsonville, 24, pled guilty to Aggravated Battery and was sentenced to two years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.

Travis Parent, 32588 Jasmin Lane, Denham Springs, 27, pled guilty to Negligent Homicide. Sentencing was deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation.

David Holcombe, 12386 Cleo Road, Gonzales, 25, pled guilty to Simple Burglary and was sentenced to 10 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.

Grayln Leduff, 2444 Valley St., Baton Rouge, 45, pled guilty to Simple Burglary. Sentencing is set for March 27.

Delynn Ricks, 909 S Abe Ave., Gonzales, 24, pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance. Sentencing was deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation.

Santos Torrez, 40436 Kathy St., Gonzales, 53, pled guilty on Nov. 28, 2016, to the charge of DWI Third Offense. On Feb. 14, Torrez was sentenced to one year with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.

Frank Nelson, 7543 Tricia Court, New Orleans, 60, pled guilty to Bank Fraud. Sentencing was deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation.

Michael Duplessis, 43017 Weber City Road, Gonzales, 34, pled guilty to Simple Burglary and was sentenced to 10 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.

Jerome Bougere, 133 Palm St., Donaldsonville, 39, pled guilty to Simple Kidnapping, Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault and Domestic Abuse. The defendant was sentenced to five years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. He is to serve three years of the imposed sentence, and the remaining two years are to be suspended. Upon release, the defendant is to be placed on two years supervised probation.

The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Shawn Bush and Phil Maples. Presiding over these matters was the Honorable Judge Thomas Kliebert.

Takeisha Scott, 42421 La., 30 Gonzales, 28, pled guilty to Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling and Simple Battery. On the charge of Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling, the defendant was sentenced to two years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on one year supervised probation. On the charge of Simple Battery, the defendant was sentenced to six months supervised probation. The imposed sentences are to run concurrent with one another.

Aquindice Garrison, 408 St. Patrick St., Donaldsonville, 26, pled guilty to Second Degree Battery and was sentenced to four years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on two years supervised probation.

Jesse Collins, 411 Blue Bird St., Gonzales, 41, pled guilty to Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance and was sentenced to five years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on five years supervised probation.

Bret Millet, 14490 Lake Crossing Drive, Gonzales, age 52, pled guilty to Simple Burglary, Theft of Goods Valued at $1500 or More, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On the charge of Simple Burglary, the defendant was sentenced to six years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. On the charge of Theft of Goods Valued at $1500 or more, the defendant was sentenced to five years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. On the charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, the defendant was sentenced to six months in the parish jail with credit for time served. All of the imposed sentences are to run concurrent with one another.

John Porteous, 14446 Lake Crossing Drive Gonzales, 40, pled guilty to Simple Arson and was sentenced to five years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on two years supervised probation.

The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Joni Buquoi and Amy Colby. Presiding over these matters was the Honorable Judge Jason Verdigets.

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Ascension Parish Crime Briefs - Post South

GEISMAR The Geismar Volunteer Fire Department station on La. 73, one of seven out of 11 fire stations that flooded in Ascension Parish, has regained a semblance of normalcy.

It looks much better now than it did in August, when snakes from the woods behind the station and an eel later returned to a bayou by a firefighter swam inside, in the roughly eight inches of flood water that rose in the building.

The ruined interior walls are gone, leaving the studs exposed, and in recent weeks the station has been set up again with its original folding tables and chairs, Coke machine and snack machine and copier and computer. Sofas have been donated to the station, too.

There are no working restrooms in the building firefighters drive to facilities elsewhere.

Yet, in the last month or so, volunteer firefighters who didnt stop responding to emergency calls during and after the flood began coming by their fire station again to check in with other firefighters and visit when they could.

I guess people are starting to get their lives back, said George Vogel, a retired New Orleans firefighter who works 27 hours a week at the Geismar fire station.

Hes one of 35 to 40 paid, contract firefighters who cover the day shift in Fire Protection District 1, which serves 80 percent of the residents on the east bank of Ascension Parish and numbers six volunteer fire departments, Geismar being one of them.

Approximately 200 volunteer firefighters cover the night shift throughout the district.

As hard as it was to come to the station as it was, it was better for me than my house in the days after the flood, said Vogel.

Vogel, who moved to St. Amant after Hurricane Katrina, and many other firefighters were among the thousands of people in Ascension Parish and the region who helplessly watched as their homes flooded last summer.

"Not only did their fire stations flood, their own homes flooded," James LeBlanc, chairman of the board for Fire Protection District 1, said of the local firefighters."It takes a very serious toll on trying to keep the morale going."

The August flood destroyed Andy Deshazers Denham Springs home and his vehicles.

LeBlanc and other officials with the fire protection district believe it will cost approximately $6 million to repair or rebuild its flood-damaged fire stations.

Volunteer and contract firefighters whose fire stations flooded are working out of gutted stations, as in Geismar, in rented work space or in an on-site trailer.

Fortunately, all of the district's 36 fire trucks, each costing $200,000 to $250,000, were saved, as firefighters moved them as needed to escape rising water.

"Everywhere we drove them, the flood followed us," said LeBlanc, who is also the volunteer fire chief of the St. Amant Fire Department, another of the volunteer fire departments under the umbrella of District 1.

The district has been able to continue to house its fire trucks in their enclosed, concrete-floored bay areas, even in buildings that sustained damage.

Hardest hit were the fire stations of the St. Amant Volunteer Fire Department, LeBlanc said.

Filing tax returns is confusing enough but will be much more complicated this year for tens

Two of them, the main station on Stringer Bridge Road and a substation on La. 22, will have to be bulldozed and rebuilt.

Both buildings were damaged at over 50 percent of their value and are considered substantially damaged by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, LeBlanc said.

St. Amant's main fire station initially served as the fire district's command post as flood waters began to rise the weekend of Aug. 12, but it soon took on more than 4 feet of water.

"The water came across Stringer Bridge Road and took out the St. Amant fire station and St. Amant High School," LeBlanc said.

The St. Amant substation on La. 22 that will have to be demolished, along with the main fire station, took on 7 feet of water.

The St. Amant Volunteer Fire Department's second substation, on La. 431, will be repaired after flood water rose to 2 feet in the building.

"In St. Amant, the damage was so bad at all three stations that we lost every single record, from 1973 to 2017, we ever maintained," LeBlanc said.

Firefighters are working out of rented space at the Venue rental hall facility in St. Amant.

At the Geismar station, mentioned earlier, plans were in place before the flood to build a new fire station behind the present one, which will get a semi-remodel to give them a home for the next year-and-a-half to two years until the new station is built, LeBlanc said.

Other Fire Protection District 1 volunteer fire stations had varying amounts of damage, with two escaping flooding altogether:

The Sorrento Volunteer Fire Department on Main Street got some floodwater, but much of its damage came from a leak in the roof, LeBlanc said. Firefighters there are working in the gutted station that will, like the station in Geismar, be semi-remodeled until a new station planned before the flood is built at a new, larger location on John Leblanc Boulevard/La. 22.

The Galvez/Lake Volunteer Fire Department in Prairieville took on several inches of water in its main fire station on Joe Sevario Road and its substation on La. 931. Plans are for the buildings to be repaired. Firefighters are working out of a trailer at the main fire station.

The Fifth Ward Volunteer Fire Department in the Darrow/Hillaryville area, with a main station on La. 22 and a substation on La. 44, escaped flood damage.

The 7th District Volunteer Fire Department in Gonzales, with a main station on La. 44 and a substation on Roddy Road, also escaped flood damage.

Fire Protection District 1 covers a roughly 54-square-mile area and serves approximately 85,000 residents over most of Ascension Parish on the east bank.

Two other fire protection districts, District 3 in Prairieville and District 2 on the west bank in Donaldsonville, cover the rest of the parish. No fire stations in those districts flooded.

The volunteer fire departments are funded through a portion of a half-cent parish sales tax, with District 1 receiving approximately $2.3 million to $2.6 million from it annually, LeBlanc said.

Eugene Witek, fire coordinator for District 1, said officials dont expect the flood and its consequences to have a negative impact on sales tax revenues, which are bolstered by plant construction projects and expansions in the parish.

Both men say they are working closely with the district's flood insurance company, as well as with the parish and FEMA, through the FEMA reimbursement process.

Our hearts are completely shattered over fire district losses in the parish, said LeBlanc, whose home also flooded, but our faith is still strong.

LeBlanc said losing photo albums and scrapbooks he had kept over 30 years as a fire chief hit him almost as hard as losing everything in his house.

Still, he said, local firefighters never stopped working and never stopped protecting our community.

Continued here:

Checking in on Ascension firefighters still working out of makeshift stations after flood - The Advocate

Dr. William Summerhill, Head of Amarillo's Ascension Academy, has been recognized by the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), joining a small group of only 200 administrators who have received such an honor.

The TMEA Distinguished Administrator Award program recognizes school administrators whose support has been critical to the music program successes in schools across the state. Dr. Summerhill was nominated by the Ascension Academy Music Department.

"When Dr. Summerhill took the helm at Ascension Academy, we had a small choir and an orchestra program, but no band," says teacher Kellie Bartley. "Over the next few months, he was so steadfast in the desire to form a band that he made several accommodations to the master schedule to fit in this new class at the only time I could be on campus to teach."

The band, which started with only nine students, quickly doubled in size and a second section was added for advanced players. That's when Dr. Summerhill decided it was time for the band to play at pep rallies.

"I told Dr. Summerhill that we had no percussionist to play. After all, what's a pep rally without drummers?" recalls Bartley. "Well this did not deter his plans one bit! He picked up a pair of sticks and worked up a beat on a donated electric drum set and played with us at the first pep rally!"

Because of Dr. Summerhill's love for band, Ascension Academy has also added a private lesson program and a percussion component. The band has successfully competed in spring competitions, placed students in middle and high school Region Bands, and now performs annually as a full orchestra for Christmas programs and spring graduation.

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Head of Amarillo's Ascension Academy Recognized by TMEA - MyHighPlains

Ascension Catholic will have a new head coach in 2017, but he's no stranger to leading the Lady Bulldogs to championships.

Ascension Catholic will have a new head coach in 2017, but hes no stranger to leading the Lady Bulldogs to championships.

After a hiatus from coaching, Don Henry returned over the summer to begin his second stint as Ascension Catholic head coach.

Henry coached the Lady Bulldogs for 14 years. In that time, he led them to 11 state tournament appearances and 11 district titles.

Under his leadership, Ascension Catholic won three state titles (1995, 1999 and 2000), and they finished as state runner-up in 2004.

He now returns to lead the program after his former player Brandi Manry resigned during the offseason.

Manry had led Ascension Catholic for three seasons. They made it to the Fast Pitch 56 in all three years of her tenure.

In 2014, they finished as state runners-up, and last season, they reached the state semifinals, before losing to eventual state champion Catholic of Pointe Coupee.

When Henry was first hired, he said, Its a great fit. I still have a lot of friends in the area. There are a lot of great people and great kids at the school. It was also a great honor for me to follow Brandi Manrywho was one of my former players. She did so many great things for the program in the three years that she was the coach. Ill definitely have some big shoes to fill, but Im excited to try to continue the great tradition that the program has built over the last few years.

Henrys biggest challenge in his quest for a fourth state title will be replacing pitcher Julia Beck and outfielder RaeShaun Melancon. Both players were instrumental in the teams run to four straight state tournament appearances.

Beck established herself as one of the best pitchers in the state.

Last season, Beck was named the LSWA Class 1A Outstanding Player. She was also named the parishs Pitcher of the Year, and she was first-team all-district.

Melancon was the Lady Bulldogs most dangerous hitter as she hit .534 with 10 home runs en route to being named District 6-1A MVP and first-team All-State.

She is an LSU-Eunice signee.

Behind Beck and Melancon, Ascension Catholic went 18-9 and won another district title.

Though losing both players are huge losses, the fortunate thing for Ascension Catholic is that everyone else will be back in 2017.

The Lady Bulldogs had six other players make the all-district squad last year.

Ascension Catholic returns first-baseman Abigail Landry, short stop Alicia Canatella and outfielder Carson Dunn. Landry was first-team all-district in 2016.

Utility player Meredith Medine made first-team all-district as a freshman last season. She will return with fellow all-district outfielder Bailey Acosta.

Lauren Landry was another all-district player that will be returning.

Other notable Lady Bulldog standouts from last year include catcher Ceily Grasiffe and third-baseman Isabelle Abadie.

The wealth of talent on the roster is one of the things that excited Henry when he took the job.

Brandi and her coaching staff have done a terrific job, and they definitely didnt leave the cupboard bare. They have some great players returning, and theyre all well coached, Henry said. Im walking into a great situation with a great group of kids, and from what Brandi has told me, theyre dedicated. Theyll go through walls for you, so Im confident well do some great things.

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ACHS seeking another state tournament run - Donaldsonville Chief - Donaldsonville Chief

Brandie Richardson

A group of local film enthusiasts have chosen Ascension Parish as home base for their movie critic web series MovieShots.

Spearheaded by St. Amant native and Gonzales resident Kevin McQuarn, MovieShots started as a way to bring movie critiques to Ascension and surrounding areas.

"It's actually something that is kind of missing in our area," McQuarn said. "We thought there was a need for it."

Prior to the mid-summer flood, the reviews were filmed at the Robin Hood Bar, located in Sorrento. They were moved to a studio at McQuarn's house after the bar received a significant amount of flood damage. Now the group will begin filming on location at various businesses and restaurants in the surrounding areas, McQuarn said.

Some of the most recent high profile interviews the group has conducted have been with Tom Cruise, Vince Vaughn, Mel Gibson, and Cobie Smulders during Red Carpet events in New Orleans.

"We have a lot of really cool interviews. It's been a fun year."

There are some big things in the works for MovieShots, he added. The group has partnered with Baton Rouge news station WAFB to provide reviews and content for their entertainment site, the Louisiana weekend, along with the station's local, Amazon, and Apple TV apps.

MovieShots is made up of a dynamic group of individuals who dedicate their time to providing entertainment for Ascension. McQuarn, who prefers being behind the camera, was the entertainment editor and chief videographer for The Advocateand currently owns the Baton Rouge-based production company FantomLight Productions.

The reviewers are: Senior critic of the group, John Wirt, who has more than 26 years of reviewing experience at the Daytona Beach News JournalandThe Advocate; Christin Rankins, who is an aspiring actress with two major film credits to her name such as "Barbershop: The Next Cut;" and newcomer Vanessa Rivas, who began her transition into movie reviews in November.

As of right now, there is not one film studio in Ascension Parish. McQuarn said he wants to change that in the future, as his long-term goal is to either find a space for a studio or build a studio. He hopes to eventually film television commercials, programs, and promotions here.

"I want to bring it here. This is where I live, my kids go to school here. Ascension has always been home for me. If there's a way to bring what I love back home, I think that would be awesome!"

By the end of 2018 he anticipates to have a studio in Ascension for MovieShots to film and shoot. Reviews can be seen online at moviesatthebar.com, though beginning March 4 they will be on WBXH at 11 a.m. every Saturday.

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St. Amant native brings movie reviews to Ascension - Donaldsonville Chief

Former APSO deputy arrested for Simple Battery

James Atkins II, 34, a former Ascension Parish Sheriffs Deputy, was arrested on Feb. 14 and booked into the Ascension Parish Prison on one count of Simple Battery. The charges stem from an investigation, which was conducted into a report taken by Gonzales Patrol Officers from Feb. 8, where officers responded to a disturbance call made by Atkins at his residence located at 910 Janice Ave.

On Feb. 9, one of the parties involved in the altercation at his residence, whom was gone prior to officers arrival on Feb. 8, came into the police department and reported additional information, which lead to the arrest of Atkins.

He voluntarily surrendered in compliance with the warrant, which was issued for his arrest by the Gonzales Police Department.

Prairieville man indicted on charges including First Degree Rape

On Feb. 13, an Ascension Parish Grand Jury returned a True Bill of Indictment on Stephen Janis, 55, of Prairieville, on the charges of First Degree Rape, False Imprisonment with a Dangerous Weapon, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm and Second Degree Battery.

Janis is accused of raping, beating and holding a woman against her will in November 2016. Investigators with the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office were dispatched to a local hospital where they made contact with the victim who advised them of the incident.

Assistant District Attorney Shawn Bush is the lead prosecutor on this case.

Gonzales man receives sentence after 2015 burglary

On Feb. 14, David Holcombe of Gonzales, age 25, pled guilty to the charge of Simple Burglary. Holcombe was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Phil Maples, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Thomas Kliebert. The guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors following a 2015 burglary.

On Oct. 19, 2015, Ascension Parish Sheriffs Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Bayou Narcisse Road in Gonzales in reference to a burglary. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the homeowner who advised that some items were missing from two vehicles parked under the car port. The homeowner advised that the home is equipped with security cameras.

Investigators reviewed the video surveillance and were able to view the suspect entering the two unlocked vehicles and gaining entry into the garage through a side door. The homeowner noted several miscellaneous items that were missing. Investigators released a portion of the video surveillance to the media and shortly after received a Crime Stoppers tip that the individual in the video Holcombe.

Investigators also located a DNA sample on the scene that was consistent with Holcomes DNA profile. Holcombe was arrested and transported to the Ascension Parish Jail where he confessed to the burglary and was booked accordingly.

Upon entering a guilty plea to the above charge, as per the plea agreement with prosecutors, Judge Kliebert ordered that Holcombe be committed to the Louisiana Department of Corrections for a period of 10 years with credit for time served.

New Orleans man pleads guilty to Ascension bank fraud

On Feb. 15, Frank Nelson of 7543 Tricia Court, New Orleans, 60, pled guilty to Bank Fraud. Nelson was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Phil Maples, and presiding over the matter was the Honorable Judge Thomas Kliebert.

On June 3, 2015, deputies with the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office were dispatched to a Prairieville bank regarding the cashing of a fraudulent check. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with an employee who advised that on May 5, 2015, a black male subject entered the bank and cashed a check in an amount exceeding $2,000. The check appeared to be issued by a Baton Rouge business to a subject by the name of Frank Nelson.

It was later determined that the checks were homemade. Investigators viewed surveillance video and were able to positively identify the individual cashing the check as Nelson. An arrest warrant was issued, and he was subsequently arrested on May 17, 2016. Nelson was transported to the Ascension Parish Jail where he was booked accordingly.

Per Judge Kliebert, sentencing was deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation. Nelson faces up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Gonzales Man Pleads Guilty to Burglary of Local Church Storage Building

On Feb. 15, Michael Duplessis, 34, of 43017 Weber City Road, Gonzales, pled guilty to Simple Burglary. Duplessis was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Phil Maples, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Thomas Kliebert. The guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors following a 2016 burglary.

On July 13, 2016, Ascension Parish Sheriffs Deputies were dispatched to Holy Rosary Church in St. Amant regarding a burglary. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a church employee who advised that he was doing maintenance around the church when he made contact with an unknown white male subject.

The subject advised that he was looking for the food bank. The employee continued to work around the church after directing the subject to the food bank. A short while later, the employee went to the storage shed where he observed that a tool box containing miscellaneous tools was missing.

Deputies were able to identify the unknown subject as Duplessis. Deputies were able to make contact with a relative of Duplessis who advised that he was in possession of the tool box in question and had gotten it at the church.

He was subsequently arrested and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail. It should be noted that Duplessis has two prior burglary convictions.

Upon entering a plea of guilty to the above charge, as per the plea agreement with prosecutors, Judge Kliebert ordered that Duplessis be committed to the Louisiana Department of Corrections for a period of 10 years with credit for time served.

Gonzales Man Pleads Guilty to Burglary and Theft Charges

On Feb. 13, Bret Millet, 52, of 14490 Lake Crossing Drive Gonzales, pled guilty to Simple Burglary, Theft of Goods Valued at $1500 or more, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Millet was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Amy Colby, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Jason Verdigets. This guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors following a 2015 residential burglary.

On July 6, 2015, Ascension Parish Sheriffs Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Stafford Estates Subdivision Road, Gonzales, in reference to a residential burglary. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the complainant who advised that when he arrived at his fathers residence, he observed that the front door was wide open.

The complainant also advised that there were multiple miscellaneous items missing from throughout the residence. Investigators dusted for fingerprints and were able to swab a small amount of blood on a piece of glass that had been broken during the burglary. The blood sample was sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab where it was analyzed for potential DNA. The blood sample matched the DNA composition of Bret Millet. Deputies also located Millets identification card on the ground near the residence.

An arrest warrant was then issued for Millet. On July 7, 2015, sheriffs deputies made contact with Millet at his residence and advised him of the arrest warrant. While Millet was being placed into handcuffs, deputies observed that Millet was holding a crack pipe, or device commonly used for smoking crack cocaine. He was arrested and transported to the Ascension Parish jail where he was booked accordingly.

Guilty Pleas

During the week of Feb. 13 to Feb. 17, the following defendants pled guilty to various charges and were sentenced in the 23rd Judicial District Court, parishes of Ascension, Assumption and St. James.

Ascension Parish

Cyril Ezumezu, 1223 N. Coolidge Ave., Gonzales, 30, pled guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance. Sentencing was deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation.

Morris Miles, 502 Front St. Donaldsonville, 24, pled guilty to Aggravated Battery and was sentenced to two years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.

Travis Parent, 32588 Jasmin Lane, Denham Springs, 27, pled guilty to Negligent Homicide. Sentencing was deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation.

David Holcombe, 12386 Cleo Road, Gonzales, 25, pled guilty to Simple Burglary and was sentenced to 10 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.

Grayln Leduff, 2444 Valley St., Baton Rouge, 45, pled guilty to Simple Burglary. Sentencing is set for March 27.

Delynn Ricks, 909 S Abe Ave., Gonzales, 24, pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance. Sentencing was deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation.

Santos Torrez, 40436 Kathy St., Gonzales, 53, pled guilty on Nov. 28, 2016, to the charge of DWI Third Offense. On Feb. 14, Torrez was sentenced to one year with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.

Frank Nelson, 7543 Tricia Court, New Orleans, 60, pled guilty to Bank Fraud. Sentencing was deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation.

Michael Duplessis, 43017 Weber City Road, Gonzales, 34, pled guilty to Simple Burglary and was sentenced to 10 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.

Jerome Bougere, 133 Palm St., Donaldsonville, 39, pled guilty to Simple Kidnapping, Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault and Domestic Abuse. The defendant was sentenced to five years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. He is to serve three years of the imposed sentence, and the remaining two years are to be suspended. Upon release, the defendant is to be placed on two years supervised probation.

The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Shawn Bush and Phil Maples. Presiding over these matters was the Honorable Judge Thomas Kliebert.

Takeisha Scott, 42421 La., 30 Gonzales, 28, pled guilty to Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling and Simple Battery. On the charge of Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling, the defendant was sentenced to two years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on one year supervised probation. On the charge of Simple Battery, the defendant was sentenced to six months supervised probation. The imposed sentences are to run concurrent with one another.

Aquindice Garrison, 408 St. Patrick St., Donaldsonville, 26, pled guilty to Second Degree Battery and was sentenced to four years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on two years supervised probation.

Jesse Collins, 411 Blue Bird St., Gonzales, 41, pled guilty to Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance and was sentenced to five years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on five years supervised probation.

Bret Millet, 14490 Lake Crossing Drive, Gonzales, age 52, pled guilty to Simple Burglary, Theft of Goods Valued at $1500 or More, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On the charge of Simple Burglary, the defendant was sentenced to six years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. On the charge of Theft of Goods Valued at $1500 or more, the defendant was sentenced to five years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. On the charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, the defendant was sentenced to six months in the parish jail with credit for time served. All of the imposed sentences are to run concurrent with one another.

John Porteous, 14446 Lake Crossing Drive Gonzales, 40, pled guilty to Simple Arson and was sentenced to five years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on two years supervised probation.

The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Joni Buquoi and Amy Colby. Presiding over these matters was the Honorable Judge Jason Verdigets.

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Ascension Parish Crime Briefs - Weekly Citizen

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Download Mage: The Ascension from the Google Play Store

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'Mage the Ascension: Refuge' is a thriller that will challenge your ... - Android Community

St. Louis Business Journal

Ascension sees Q2 profit rise on increased patient volume St. Louis Business Journal Ascension, the largest nonprofit health system in the U.S., reported net income of $323.7 million for the fiscal 2017 second quarter ended Dec. 31, up from $308.9 million in the prior-year period. St. Louis-based Ascension reported total operating ... and more »

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Ascension sees Q2 profit rise on increased patient volume - St. Louis Business Journal

The state plans to appeal the decision to exclude Ascension and St. James parishes from a federal disaster declaration that left residents there ineligible to receive federal assistance for their losses during the Feb. 7 tornadoes.

"We're in the process of trying to appeal that," said Mike Steele, communications director for the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

The state has 30 days to file the appeal, Steele said Friday.

"Our people will be reaching out to the parishes for more information," he said.

President Donald Trump on Feb. 11 approved a disaster declaration for individual assistance for Orleans and Livingston parishes. The declaration allows residents in those parishes who suffered losses to apply for financial assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The state on Friday also resubmitted its request for a disaster declaration for another form of federal assistance, public assistance, for Orleans, Livingston, Ascension, St. James and Jefferson parishes, Steele said.

Public assistance provides reimbursement to state and local governments for a portion of the cost of such work as debris removal, repairing damaged buildings and roads following a disaster.

The state has not yet received word on its initial request for public assistance, Steele said.

The state, however, resubmitted its request for public assistance "to stress the importance of getting the declaration on that," he said.

President Donald Trump on Saturday approved a federal disaster declaration for Orleans and L

A large twister with estimated wind speeds of about 140 mph that injured 33 people in New Orleans East and damaged some 300 properties was one of six tornadoes that touched down Feb. 7 in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas.

In Livingston Parish, two people were seriously injured when a tornado struck their home in Killian. Elsewhere in the parish, homes were damaged in Watson where four people were injured.

In Ascension Parish, a tornado touched down southwest of Donaldsonville, then traveled northeast across the city with most of its destruction centered along St. Patrick Street, near the city's historic district. One injury was reported in the downtown area while three injuries were reported elsewhere in the parish.

CF Industries received some damage and a veterinarian clinic near the plant was badly damaged.

In St. James Parish, some 25 to 30 homes were damaged, some severely. Two injuries were reported there.

Donaldsonville Mayor Leroy Sullivan said he was disappointed when he learned that Ascension Parish had not been included in the federal disaster declaration for individual assistance.

"It was devastating," Sullivan said of hearing the news. "You have people who have lost their homes or have homes that were heavily damaged."

In order for residents to receive assistance, a household must be within a presidentially declared disaster area.

Ascension and St. James parish officials did not seem optimistic Friday that federal individual or public assistance would be forthcoming.

Criteria to receive a disaster declaration for the individual assistance program are subjective, according to the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

A declaration request must show that an effective response to a disaster is beyond the capacity of the state and local government and that a significant number, historically more than 75, uninsured primary homes received major damage or were destroyed, according to GOHSEP literature.

To receive a presidential declaration for public assistance, a parish must meet a threshold in damage of $3.57 per resident.

Sullivan said that by using the 2010 census count for Ascension Parish of approximately 107,000 people, he calculated the required dollar amount of damage needed for the parish to be eligible for public assistance would be approximately $387,000.

St. James Parish President Timmy Roussel said Friday that his parish would need about $80,000 in damage to be eligible for public assistance.

The parish government has spent approximately $20,000 on work after the tornado doing such jobs as removing debris and trimming trees, Roussel said.

In Ascension Parish, Rick Webre, director of the parish's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said the parish has spent $30,000 in cleanup so far.

"I'm not confident that Ascension Parish will achieve the individual assistance or public assistance threshold," he said.

Follow Ellyn Couvillion on Twitter, @EllynCouvillion.

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State to appeal denial of federal disaster aid for Ascension, St. James tornado victims - The Advocate