KATC.com

Tagged News

• Truck driver pleads guilty to mail theft

  May 23, 2013 9:14 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Federal prosecutors say a driver hired to transport mail admitted to stealing parcels from the post office in Gray. The Courier reports 49-year-old Joel Raymond Polaski, of Thibodaux, faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 after pleading guilty Wednesday... more »

• Illegal firearms suspect pleads guilty to 1 count

  May 17, 2013 8:55 AM

  HOUMA, La. (AP) - A Houma man has pleaded guilty in federal court to receiving and having an unregistered firearm. The Courier reports 62-year-old Michael J. Hebert was arrested in August after police evacuated several buildings at his apartment complex as they investigated whether he had bombs. Hebert entered his... more »

• Couple pleads guilty in fire department theft

  April 18, 2013 8:49 AM

  Prosecutors say a St. Amant couple accused last year of stealing money from the St. Amant Volunteer Fire Department has pleaded guilty to theft counts after having paid restitution of more than $63,000. The Advocate reports 34-year-old Aaron Lee Gautreaux, of St. Amant, pleaded guilty to one count of felony... more »

• Vidalia man pleads guilty to illegal discharges

  April 17, 2013 9:06 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A 58-year-old Vidalia man has pleaded guilty to his role in the illegal discharges of pollutants into state waters in Cameron Parish. Carr William Brown, a field technician for T&F Oil, a Mandeville-based company owned by his brother, Lobdell Brown, entered the plea Tuesday in... more »

• N.O. man pleads guilty to stealing federal funds

  February 22, 2013 8:15 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A New Orleans man has pleaded guilty to fraudulently receiving Social Security benefits intended for his late mother. Forty-year-old Lam Nguyen (win) faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine following his guilty plea Thursday to theft of government funds. Federal... more »

• Member of Coushatta tribe pleads to assault

  October 5, 2012 10:00 AM

  LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) - Federal prosecutors say a member of the Coushatta Tribe has pleaded guilty to an assault charge. U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley says 21-year-old Nicholas Tyler Poncho, of Elton, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to one count of assault with a dangerous... more »

• Ex-owner of medical equipment company pleads

  September 19, 2012 7:39 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - The former owner of a medical equipment company has pleaded guilty to health care fraud. U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley says 59-year-old Dorothy Cole, of Rayne, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court. Cole was charged in a bill of information in June with five counts of... more »

• Man pleads guilty in embezzlement case

  July 13, 2012 6:48 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A 69-year-old New Orleans man has pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of theft of government funds. U.S Attorney Jim Letten's office says Robert P. McFarland entered the plea Thursday before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon. McFarland, as executive director of New Orleans... more »

• Former bank manager pleads guilty to embezzlement

  July 12, 2012 6:37 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - U.S. Attorney Jim Letten says a former manager of a Whitney Bank branch in Metairie has admitted stealing more than $56,000 from the bank. He says 50-year-old Karen Sork pleaded guilty Wednesday to bank theft, and could get up to 10 years in prison and $250,000... more »

• Couple pleads guilty in toddler's death

  May 11, 2012 9:08 AM

  PORT ALLEN, La. (AP) - A couple scheduled to stand trial in the 2007 fatal beating of the woman's 16-month-old daughter have pleaded guilty to lesser charges. A West Baton Rouge Parish grand jury indicted Jeremy Jordan and Shaelsie Jason in November 2010 on counts of principal to second-degree murder... more »

• La. man pleads guilty to odometer tampering

  May 4, 2012 8:16 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A Baton Rouge man has pleaded guilty to tampering with the odometers of high-mileage vehicles he purchased online and from wholesale automobile auctions in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Beau Michael Guidry, owner of Affordable Imports in Denham Springs, pleaded guilty Thursday to three counts of... more »

• Miss. woman pleads guilty to using bogus checks

  May 3, 2012 5:59 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Mississippi woman has pleaded guilty in New Orleans to using counterfeit bank checks to purchase vehicles from several dealerships in southeast Louisiana. Twenty-six-year-old Gina Seawright, of Bay St. Louis, Miss., faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine following her... more »

• Ex-postal worker pleads guilty to theft

  May 2, 2012 8:04 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A former U.S. Postal Service worker has pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing money from the Jefferson Street Post Office in Lafayette. Between July 2009 and February 2010, court documents say Natalie Thomas stole between $1,000 and $17,662 while working at a retail service window.... more »

• Woman pleads guilty to vehicular homicide

  April 10, 2012 9:48 AM

  ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) - A 39-year-old Pineville woman has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the October 2011 death of a prison inmate on work detail. The Town Talk reports Kellie Geisel also pleaded guilty to vehicular negligent injury on Monday. She will be sentenced April 27 by state district... more »

• Rig manager pleads guilty to lying about tests

  April 6, 2012 10:43 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Mississippi man who worked as manager on a drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico has pleaded guilty to lying about testing on a key safety device. Forty-nine-year-old Donald Hudson, of Walnut Grove, Miss., faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison following his... more »

• La. company pleads guilty in pollution probe

  March 29, 2012 9:44 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Houma company has pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Water Act in a pollution case investigated by state and federal authorities. CTCO Shipyard of Louisiana LLC faces a maximum fine of $500,000 and up to five years of probation following its guilty plea Tuesday. Its... more »

• Man pleads guilty to theft from naval base store

  March 23, 2012 6:25 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Covington man has pleaded guilty to a charge he embezzled roughly $50,000 from a store on the Naval Support Activity base in New Orleans. Forty-year-old Gary Massie faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine following his guilty plea Thursday... more »

• Developer pleads guilty to bank fraud conspiracy

  March 16, 2012 8:56 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Federal prosecutors say a Covington developer has admitted conspiring to get mortgages for bad loan risks. They say the plot was uncovered during investigation of the federal bank bailout program. U.S. Attorney Jim Letten says 43-year-old Troy Fouquet pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of conspiracy... more »

• Biodiesel maker pleads guilty to illegal dumping

  March 14, 2012 10:21 AM

  PLAQUEMINE, La. (AP) - The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality says a 56-year-old man who made biodiesel at his home in Iberville Parish has pleaded guilty to illegally dumping pollutants into a canal behind his home. DEQ says Tommy M. Francise pleaded guilty in state court this week to dumping... more »

• N.O. woman pleads guilty in gun smuggling probe

  March 9, 2012 11:03 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A New Orleans woman has pleaded guilty to making false statements to firearms dealers in purchasing six guns. Twenty-eight-year-old Irna Lacayo faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the four counts to which she pleaded guilty on... more »

• Ship operator pleads guilty in pollution probe

  March 9, 2012 11:01 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The operator of a cargo ship has pleaded guilty in New Orleans to violating federal pollution laws and obstruction of justice. A plea agreement entered Thursday calls for Athens, Greece-based Odysea Carriers to pay a $1.2 million criminal penalty. A community service organization in Louisiana would... more »

• Energy company pleads to violations at refuge site

  March 8, 2012 10:25 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Apollo Energy has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of violations of a wildlife refuge special use permit pertaining to the company's drilling operations in the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge. The Advertiser reports Wednesday's guilty plea exposes the company to a possible maximum fine of $400,000,... more »

• Pineville man pleads guilty to burning US flags

  March 6, 2012 7:12 AM

  ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) - A 26-year-old Pineville man has pleaded guilty to three counts of simple arson for burning U.S. flags last year in Alexandria The Town Talk reports the defendant, Ahmed Cathy Khaled, told the judge that he shouldn't have listened to the voices in his head brought on... more »

• La. tax preparer pleads guilty to tax evasion

  February 10, 2012 9:12 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Louisiana tax preparer has pleaded guilty to preparing and filing false income tax returns for his customers. Sixty-year-old James W. Nelson, of LaPlace, also pleaded guilty Thursday to a charge he failed to pay more than $21,000 in taxes on his own income. Federal prosecutors... more »

• Patient recruiter pleads in fraud scheme

  February 1, 2012 8:34 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - An Atlanta man has pleaded guilty for his role in a Louisiana-based Medicare fraud scheme involving fraudulent claims for unnecessary durable medical equipment, including leg and arm braces, power wheelchairs and wheelchair accessories. The U.S. Department of Justice says 61-year-old Fred D. Belcher pleaded guilty... more »

• Ex-official pleads not guilty in corruption case

  January 31, 2012 5:46 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A former Jefferson Parish official has pleaded not guilty to concealing federal crimes in a case spawned by a corruption probe that already has resulted in charges against a former parish president. Although 51-year-old Timothy Whitmer pleaded not guilty Monday to one count of misprision of... more »

• La. woman pleads guilty to stealing from employer

  January 25, 2012 9:16 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Baton Rouge woman who worked as a bookkeeper for a real estate development firm has pleaded guilty to a charge she embezzled nearly $300,000 from the firm and its owner. Susan Fonte faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison following her guilty plea... more »

• Man pleads not guilty to sex crime charges

  January 24, 2012 10:55 AM

  LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) - A 45-year-old Sulphur man accused of committing sex crimes against juveniles has pleaded not guilty in state district court. The American Press reports Damon T. Skipper was indicted on one count of aggravated rape, along with his wife, 33-year-old Janice R. Skipper, on Jan 5.... more »

• Peeping Tom pleads guilty to obscenity charge

  January 13, 2012 11:05 AM

  PORT ALLEN, La. (AP) - A 24-year-old Brusly man has pleaded guilty to one count of obscenity after authorities caught him on camera peeking into his 16-year-old neighbor's bedroom window. The Advocate reports Charles Kazmir entered his plea Thursday. Col. Richie Johnson, of the West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, says... more »

• Hammond man pleads guilty to gambling charge

  January 13, 2012 10:24 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Hammond, La., man has pleaded guilty to operating an illegal sports betting business and tax evasion. Federal prosecutors say 51-year-old Joseph A. Schillace IV has agreed as part of his guilty plea Thursday to pay more than $464,000 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.... more »

• Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty in Tax Fraud Case

  October 15, 2011 10:37 AM

  SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) - A Dallas woman who owned a Shreveport tax preparing service has pleaded guilty to filing fraudulent claims for federal income tax refunds. Forty-one-year-old Letitia C. Scott faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine following her guilty plea Friday to one... more »

• Mississippi Man Pleads Guilty to Rape of Girl

  October 5, 2011 12:27 PM

  BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss (AP) - After she was kidnapped from her home in Slidell, La., driven across the state line into Mississippi, raped on the side of the road then left behind at a gas station, a stranded 11-year-old girl was approached by yet another man. Sean Robertson, 21,... more »

• LaPlace woman pleads to theft of government funds

  September 8, 2011 9:43 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A LaPlace woman has pleaded guilty to unlawfully receiving Social Security disability benefits. U.S. Attorney Jim Letten says 51-year-old Donna Marie Duhe entered the plea Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt. Letten, in a news release, says Duhe admitted receiving benefits in June 2007,... more »

• Former horsemen's association director pleads

  September 1, 2011 6:37 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Less than a week before he was scheduled to go to trial, Sean Alfortish has pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to rig the elections of the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, then helping himself to funds controlled by the agency. Alfortish on Wednesday... more »

• Slaughter alderman pleads to misdemeanor charge

  July 7, 2011 8:49 AM

  CLINTON, La. (AP) - A Slaughter alderman has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of interfering with a police investigation. According to records in the case, The Advocate reports 51-year-old Tommy Boothe was arrested by Slaughter police on May 6 after he was accused of interfering with an officer... more »

• Texas woman pleads to mortgage scheme

  April 5, 2011 8:22 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A Humble, Texas, woman has pleaded guilty in Louisiana to two counts of wire fraud in a mortgage lending scheme. Reports 49-year-old Mary L. Francois, the owner of America's Best Mortgage and Creative Solutions in St. Martinville, was accused of submitting false loan applications on behalf... more »

• La. man pleads guilty to bribery plot

  February 18, 2011 9:25 PM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Baton Rouge man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe a former New Orleans city official in a kickback scheme involving contracts for the city's crime surveillance program. Prosecutors say 51-year-old Dwaine Hodges helped a businessman, Mark St. Pierre, funnel payoffs to Anthony Jones, who... more »

• Details of Quadruple Slaying

  November 10, 2010 11:46 AM

  LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) - Lee Roy Williams, 51, pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder Tuesday, hours after a Calcasieu Parish grand jury indicted him on the charges. State District Judge Kent Savoie imposed four consecutive life sentences, a term agreed to by prosecutors and Williams' defense counsel.... more »

• Man Pleads Guilty in Louisiana Police Shooting

  November 3, 2010 8:43 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty in the shooting injury last November of a Baton Rouge police officer working a private security detail. State District Judge Lou Daniel sentenced John L. Butler Tuesday to two years in prison, to be followed by four years of... more »

• Ex-New Orleans tech chief pleads guilty

  November 1, 2010 9:30 PM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The former technology chief for the City of New Orleans pleaded guilty Monday in a fraud scheme that prosecutors said brought him more than $860,000 in bribes and kickbacks, paid by a businessman to whom he allegedly steered $4 million in city contracts. Greg Meffert, at... more »

• Louisiana Man Pleads not Guilty in Infant Son's Death

  October 28, 2010 8:44 AM

  MONROE, La. (AP) - A 38-year-old West Monroe man has pleaded not guilty in the Sept. 16 death of his infant son. James Edward "Juicy" Clampit, who was charged with one count of negligent homicide, entered his plea on Wednesday. Police say the 11-month-old boy's death was attributed to a... more »

• Man pleads guilty in human trafficking case

  October 20, 2010 10:03 PM

  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A man from Uzbekistan who was accused of running a 14-state human trafficking ring in Kansas City has pleaded guilty to four charges under a plea agreement in which he will serve at least 10 years in federal prison. Abrorkhodja Askarkhodjaev, 31, was facing more... more »

• Louisiana man pleads in prison system fraud

  October 20, 2010 10:12 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A Lake Charles man accused of overbilling the state prison system for more than $170,000 in fertilizer has pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud charges. 69-year-old Wallace "Gene" Fletcher faces up 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines and restitution. Fletcher entered his... more »

• New Orleans man pleads to manslaughter in 4 deaths

  October 5, 2010 9:37 PM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A plea deal Tuesday ended the case of a 2006 shooting rampage in a New Orleans neighborhood that left four people dead. Prosecutors dropped murder charges against Raymond Amison, 23, to manslaughter when he appeared in court for jury selection. In exchange, Amison agreed to serve... more »

• Man Pleads Guilty to 2009 Beating Death

  September 28, 2010 8:53 AM

  LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) - A 27-year-old Lake Charles man has pleaded guilty to beating another man to death in 2009. Phillips Cooks faces up to 40 years in prison on a charge of manslaughter. Judge Kent Savoie ordered the probation and parole office on Monday to prepare a presentencing... more »

• Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Chat with Teens

  September 28, 2010 8:00 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Prosecutors say 21-year-old Daniel James Broussard has pleaded guilty in federal court to having used the Internet and his cell phone to have sexual chats with four teenage girls from the Lafayette area. As part of a plea deal, Broussard pleaded guilty Monday to two counts... more »

• Man Pleads Guilty to Vehicular Homicide

  September 23, 2010 7:08 AM

  VIDALIA, La. - The driver of a vehicle that struck and killed Concordia Parish sheriff's deputy has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide. The Natchez Democrat reports 31-year-old Joseph Drummer entered his plea Wednesday and was sentenced to 10 years of hard labor. Drummer had previously pleaded not guilty to the... more »

• Ex-Cop Pleads 'no contest' in Brutality Case

  September 23, 2010 4:38 AM

  OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) - Rather than face trial for malfeasance in office, a former Eunice Police officer has entered a plea of no contest. Twenty-eight-year-old Micah C.Z. Arceneaux had been scheduled to go on trial later this week on charges of malfeasance and aggravated battery. His no contest plea, while... more »

• Ex-cop pleads 'no contest' in brutality case

  September 22, 2010 9:03 PM

  OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) - Rather than face trial for malfeasance in office, a former Eunice Police officer has entered a plea of no contest. Twenty-eight-year-old Micah C.Z. Arceneaux had been scheduled to go on trial later this week on charges of malfeasance and aggravated battery. His no contest plea, while... more »

• Teen accused of Killing His Parents Pleads Guilty by Reason of Insanity

  September 22, 2010 12:21 PM

  MONROE, La. (AP) - A 15-year-old West Ouachita High School student indicted in the deaths of his parents has pleaded of not guilty by reason of insanity. The News-Star reports the teenager entered his plea Wednesday before state District Judge Daniel Ellender in Monroe. The teen is accused of killing... more »

• Man pleads guilty in '90 rape, killing

  September 22, 2010 9:45 AM

  GONZALES, La. (AP) - A 43-year-old man arrested nearly four years ago after DNA tied him to the unsolved rape and slaying of a Dutchtown woman in 1990 has pleaded guilty and identified a second man as the person who killed the victim. Ascension Parish prosecutors say Herman Frazier pleaded... more »

• Tug co. in Mississippi River crash pleads guilty

  September 8, 2010 9:46 PM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A company whose towboat was involved in a crash with a tanker that caused a major oil spill on the Mississippi River two years ago pleaded guilty Wednesday to operating vessels with unqualified and overworked captains. DRD Towing Co., a company based a few miles upriver... more »

• Roger Clemens Pleads Not Guilty

  August 30, 2010 3:35 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of lying to Congress about whether he used steroids or human growth hormone. When asked for a plea by U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton, the retired Major League Baseball pitcher said in a clear voice:... more »

• Pineville Woman Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud

  August 26, 2010 8:45 AM

  ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) - A Pineville woman has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud in a case that involved using someone else's identity to steal money by opening accounts at various banks and credit card companies. The Town Talk reports that 36-year-old Lanetta Littleton faces... more »

• State worker pleads guilty in disaster food case

  August 19, 2010 9:33 PM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A 50-year-old woman accused of fraudulently obtaining and using disaster in a lot of trouble. Conand friends after hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike, has pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of government money. Teresa Hawkins, of Baldwin, is the former parish manager of the... more »

• Man Pleads Guilty to ID Theft

  August 18, 2010 7:34 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A man alleged to have stolen $150,000 while using the credit information of at least 30 current or retired Baton Rouge police officers has pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft. In a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, 48-year-old Alton K. Davis, of Baton Rouge, admitted... more »

• Slaying Suspect Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

  August 18, 2010 7:02 AM

  ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) - A 19-year-old man accused of killing another Alexandria resident last year has pleaded guilty to manslaughter before his trial was scheduled to begin. Launey Johnson of Alexandria was facing a second-degree murder charge and two counts of attempted second-degree murder before prosecutors accepted a plea on... more »

• Rapper Juvenile pleads guilty in La. drug case

  August 13, 2010 9:55 PM

  CHALMETTE, La. (AP) - New Orleans rapper Juvenile has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge in Louisiana. The St. Bernard Parish sheriff's office says the 34-year-old, whose real name is Terius Gray, entered the plea Thursday. The rapper and an aquaintance were arrested Feb. 25. He received a... more »

• Man Accused of Shooting at People Pleads Not Guilty

  August 12, 2010 5:21 PM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Mississippi man who federal prosecutors say fired a shotgun at three black men in a racially-motivated attack following Hurricane Katrina has pleaded not guilty to all five counts he faces. Roland Bourgeois Jr., a 47-year-old white man from Columbia, Miss., is accused of opening fire... more »

• Baton Rouge Man Pleads in Infant's Death

  August 6, 2010 8:41 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A 22-year-old Baton Rouge man who was accused of shaking his 8-week-old son to death in 2006 has pleaded guilty to negligent homicide charges and avoided prison time. Under the terms of a plea bargain agreement, state District Judge Chip Moore placed Derwin Oubre on... more »

• White Castle Police Chief Pleads Not Guilty

  July 22, 2010 8:50 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - White Castle Police Chief Mario D. Brown has pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge to 11 criminal charges including racketeering, bribery and wire fraud. A federal indictment issued July 7 alleges that Brown provided political favors for businessmen promoting Cifer 5000,... more »

• Former AES Counselor Pleads Guilty by Reason of Insanity

  July 20, 2010 2:03 PM

  UPDATE-New information on the sex scandal at Ascension Episcopal School. DR. Allison Hargrave, former counselor, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Hargrave is charged with having sex with a 14-year old student she counseled . Court documents say Hargrave's attorney plans to introduce expert evidence that Hargrave has... more »

• White Castle Mayor Pleads in Racketeering Case

  July 14, 2010 8:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - White Castle Mayor Maurice Brown, one of three public officials indicted in a federal investigation, has pleaded not guilty to 13 criminal counts, including racketeering and conspiracy. He also faces four counts of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud. If convicted on all... more »

• Man Pleads Not Guilty In Elizabeth Fontenot Death

  July 8, 2010 6:44 PM

  In Evangeline Parish a man accused of murdering a Ville Platte teen says he's not guilty. 34-year old Ordesto Toussant was arraigned today for the murder of 18-year old Elizabeth Fontenot. The district attorney told us he confessed to the crime and his DNA was found on the... more »

• Slidell Woman Pleads Guilty to Katrina Fraud

  July 2, 2010 6:32 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Slidell woman has pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining disaster aid from the American Red Cross in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. Federal prosecutors said 27-year-old Sylvia Barnes submitted four applications for assistance and received $4,695 when the Red Cross limited awards to a one-time payment of up... more »

• Rapper Pleads Not Guilty to Murder Charge

  June 29, 2010 8:38 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Baton Rouge rapper Torrence "Lil Boosie" Hatch has pleaded not guilty to several charges including first-degree murder. Hatch appeared Monday before state District Judge Mike Erwin. Hatch's attorney, Marcus Allen, spoke after the hearing and said Hatch is "absolutely not guilty." Hatch is accused of... more »

• Man Charged With Bogus FEMA Claims Pleads Guilty

  June 28, 2010 8:15 PM

  ATLANTA (AP) - A Georgia man pleaded guilty Monday to charges that he bilked the government out of more than $30,000 by claiming he suffered through three devastating Gulf Coast hurricanes, a tornado in Indiana and flooding in New Hampshire - all while living in Atlanta. Prosecutors charged Desima James,... more »

• Alleged serial killer Jeffery Lee Guillory pleads innocent

  June 16, 2010 5:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Alleged serial killer Jeffery Lee Guillory has pleaded innocent to a second-degree murder charge in the 2002 strangulation of a 46-year-old Baton Rouge woman. The Advocate reports that Guillory appeared Wednesday before state District Judge Tony Marabella, wearing shackles and a light blue prison jumpsuit.... more »

• Alleged serial killer Jeffery Lee Guillory pleads innocent

  June 16, 2010 5:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Alleged serial killer Jeffery Lee Guillory has pleaded innocent to a second-degree murder charge in the 2002 strangulation of a 46-year-old Baton Rouge woman. The Advocate reports that Guillory appeared Wednesday before state District Judge Tony Marabella, wearing shackles and a light blue prison jumpsuit.... more »

• Woman Pleads Guilty to Red Cross Fraud

  May 27, 2010 7:51 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A 27-year-old Hammond woman has pleaded guilty in federal court to defrauding the American Red Cross. Keyona Dalton pleaded guilty to making fraudulent applications for financial assistance during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. According to court documents, the Red Cross made disaster assistance money of up... more »

• Phone Tampering Activist Pleads Guilty

  May 26, 2010 12:15 PM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Four conservative activists accused of trying to tamper with the phones in Sen. Mary Landrieu's office pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of entering federal property under false pretenses. James O'Keefe, 25, famous for wearing a pimp costume in a video that embarrassed the ACORN community organizing... more »

• Woman Pleads to Causing Crash that Killed Trooper

  May 21, 2010 10:52 AM

  LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) - A woman who caused a traffic accident that proved fatal to a state trooper has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor traffic offense. The American Press reports 50-year-old Debra Bourque was fined $100 and court costs and was ordered Thursday to complete a defensive driving course... more »

• Contractor Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges

  May 20, 2010 9:51 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A 41-year-old New Orleans contractor charged with two counts of felony theft for work he didn't do for Hurricane Katrina victims pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to 10 years on each count. Kevin Meadows was also ordered to pay $90,000 in restitution during Wednesday's plea... more »

• Man Pleads Guilty in Burger King Murder

  May 17, 2010 5:16 PM

  UPDATE: Nine-teen year old Edward Zeno has pleaded guilty in the shooting death of a Burger King employee ..... It happened in November of 2008 when Zeno and some friends ordered food at the drive-thru window of a Burger King in a stolen vehicle.... Zeno and Burger King manager James... more »

• Ex-state Worker Pleads Guilty

  May 12, 2010 10:43 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A former state social service worker has pleaded guilty in connection with a federal food stamp fraud investigation that has resulted in charges against 13 people. Andrea Broussard admitted Wednesday in Lafayette to fraudulently obtaining $345 in federal disaster assistance in 2005 after hurricanes Katrina and... more »

• Man Pleads Guilty to Disposal of Hazardous Waste

  May 7, 2010 9:15 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. - A 41-year-old man has pleaded guilty in state court to illegally disposing of hazardous waste. Authorities say Robert Beam, the former owner of Lake Charles-based Chrome Doctor and Chrome Technology, entered the plea to unlawful disposal of hazardous waste. more »

• 3rd Ex-Officer Pleads Guilty In Danziger Bridge Shootings

  April 7, 2010 4:59 PM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A former New Orleans police officer has told authorities he saw a fellow officer shoot and kick unarmed, wounded civilians in a deadly incident on a bridge in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. The former officer, Michael Hunter, pleaded guilty Wednesday to helping cover up the shootings on... more »

• Lafayette Man Pleads Guilty To Misapplication Of Bank Funds

  March 30, 2010 5:33 PM

  Christopher P. Smith, 30, of Lafayette, La., pleaded guilty to one count of misapplication of bank fund. Smith embezzled a total of $231,000.00 from Chase Bank Customers Smith was employed at JP Morgan Chase Bank as a personal banker at Chase Bank's Southpark Branch in Lafayette and was... more »

• Todd Vincent Pleads Guilty To Vehicular Homicide

  March 26, 2010 3:45 PM

  On Friday afternoon, in Franklin, Todd Vincent, age 41, of 17768 Highway 685, Erath, pled guilty to three counts of vehicular homicide, one count of obstruction of justice and one count of possession of oxycodone before the Honorable Lori Landry, District Judge for the Sixteenth Judicial District. For the three... more »

• Man Pleads Guilty To Manslaughter After Girlfriend's Death

  February 3, 2010 12:46 PM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A 57-year-old Lafayette man has pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge after setting his girlfriend on fire in August 2007. The Advocate reports Wilbert Clark Jr. received a 40-year prison sentence Tuesday in the death of Sandra Anderson, whom he set on fire at the couple's... more »

• Lafayette Man Pleads Guilty In Bank Robbery Case

  January 21, 2010 12:39 PM

  ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) - A day into jury selection, a Lafayette man has pleaded guilty to three counts of armed robbery in connection with three 2008 bank robberies in Rapides Parish. Charles Bryant Anderson was sentenced Wednesday to 35 years without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of his... more »