Monthly Archives: July 2017

LAKE Louis Normand and John Paul Taylor used shovels to dig into the muck around bridge piles underneath Summerfield Road as traffic passed overhead in northeastern Ascension Parish.

The contractors with Durable Piling Restoration of Marksville were recently preparing to cut out and replace parts of the timber piles and do other foundation work to the two bridges that are the only way through a lowland forest and into the Summerfield subdivision along the Amite River.

The repair job, which is now nearing completion, involved two of the 19 bridges that Ascension Parish government has repaired or replaced since Parish President Kenny Matassa took office in January 2016, a parish government spokesman said.

The state Department of Transportation and Development has been busy with its own bridge repairs in the parish as well, and wrapped up emergency repairs to a bridge on La. 933 in the St. Amant area Thursday, a department spokesman said.

Ascension has 136 bridges on parish roads and another 132 bridges on state highways, and it seems every few weeks parish or state officials are announcing partial or complete bridge closures sometimes of the emergency variety, as was the work on the Summerfield Road and La. 933 bridges.

But parish and state officials said the 2016 flood in the Amite River Basin, which inundated large swaths of East Ascension Parish, did not directly damage bridges in the parish. Some officials, however, think the high water may have indirectly helped bring about the recent round of repairs.

Bill Roux, parish public works director, said last year's floodwater washed out parts of the earthen bases around some bridges and revealed rot among many of the parish's timber bridges that inspectors spotted later.

"It exposed a condition that we couldn't see before because it was all covered, and that is what the DOTD is seeing now in inspection. They said, 'Oh, wait, this is bad,'" Roux said.

Rodney Mallett, DOTD spokesman, said though the agency does its biennial inspections in odd-numbered years, the agency has issued six letters to the parish since the start of 2016 for bridgeson parish roads that needed repair. In addition to those six bridges, a seventh parish bridge was closed but has been repaired and reopened, according to a DOTD tally from early June.

More recently, DOTD also closed the La. 933bridge about one-tenth of a mile west of Joe Sevario Road on June 19. A routine inspection found large empty spaces under both of the bridge's approach slabs, Mallett said. Earth should have been where the voids were found under the bridge approaches.

Kyle Gautreau, parish government spokesman, said that since the start of 2016, the parish has spent more than $830,000 on bridge work, not including the Summerfield job. While some of that work was minor, like guard rail repairs, $483,000 was spent to replace or upgrade eight bridges. The parish often replaced old timber bridges with large concrete box culverts that had new roads laid on top of them.

Four more timber bridges weren't replaced with culverts but had supporting wooden piles replaced at a cost of an additional $312,000, Gautreau said. Once finished, the Summerfield bridges will bring that number to six, though total cost figures weren't immediately available.

Peter DeCuir, vice president and chief operating officer of Durable Piling, said DOTD and local governments often choose his services because his company can work on bridges without bridge closures, as his company was able to do on Summerfield Road, maintaining the only access route to homes in the area.

On Summerfield's bridges, DeCuir's workers cut out the damaged portion of piles, nine on one bridge and 11 on another, and replaced them with a composite material using epoxy and Kevlar.

"And it's never going to rot," DeCuir said.

The Summerfield job became more involved than first planned, though, as more damage was discovered. In addition to piles, workers had to fill in voids under some of those bridges' approaches.

DeCuir said the job is nearly complete despite delays from recent heavy rains. He said Thursday that he is waiting on water levels to drop again so he can finish protecting one of the bridge's foundations with concrete.

It appears Summerfield Road won't be the end of Durable Piling's time in Ascension Parish, though. At Roux's urging in early June, the East Ascension drainage board agreed to increase funding to Durable Piling from a maximum of $275,000 to up to $400,000 for some additional emergency repairs to Summerfield Road and for expected repairs to other damaged bridges.

"We do have other bridges that (are) coming on line with some problems we're discovering," Roux told the board, "and I want to increase it to $400,000 to make sure I have enough to take care of those things."

Follow David J. Mitchell on Twitter, @NewsieDave.

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Flood of 2016 exposed lingering damage to Ascension bridges; repairs continue - The Advocate

Nine 9- to 14-year-old members of the Ascension Parish 4-H Club competed this past weekend at the Daisy National BB Gun Championship Match in Rogers, Arkansas.

The sharpshooters were the first team from Ascension Parish to make it to the national level for the shooting contest.

Before leaving for the event, 12-year-old Aidan Cole, of Prairieville, said, "I'm hoping to shoot the best I can. The shooting is what I look forward to the most."

To qualify, each team must have competed in the Daisy Shooting Education Program and be sponsored by an organization with adult leadership, such as 4-H.

The team competition, held at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center, started Friday and ended Monday.

The team with the overall highest score won the competition.

The Ascension 4-H group was one of three Louisiana teams competing, according to coach Jodi Daigle. The other two teams are from St. James and Franklin parishes.

James Daigle, 14, of Gonzales said he was proud to represent Ascension and Ascension 4-H shooting sports.

Jodi Daigle said the competition consists of a written exam. Then they shoot from four different positions: prone (laying down), standing, sitting and kneeling.

The team has been preparing since winning the state regionals in April.

Teams must have had at least eight hours of practice in order to compete in the national competition.

Jodi Daigle said during practice the team learns firearm safety, fundamentals of shooting in different positions, as well as Daisy rules and curriculum.

Katie Swanson, 11, from Prairieville, said, she liked learning about the safety of the guns and how to handle them. The club provided her with a chance to make new friends.

Parent Michelle Swanson said the weekend also included a grand opening ceremony, T-shirt competition and a Barter Bar area.

The Ascension 4-H Club swapped Louisiana-related trinkets with other teams across the country.

"This has all been amazing," Michelle Swanson said. "We couldn't be prouder of them. It really gives them a lot of confidence."

"They learn to focus on the next shot," Swanson added. "They can't stop and dwell on the past shot. They are really just competing against themselves. Each time they are hoping to get better."

Jaxon Swanson, 13, of Prairieville said, "We hope it brings attention to our team so we have more kids sign up in 4-H. The championship helps promote 4-H."

Along with paying out-of-pocket, the team raised money for competition expenses through sponsorships and the 4-H Club.

At presstime on Monday morning, the club was placed 25th out of 71 teams.

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Ascension 4-H'ers take aim at national BB Gun Championship - The Advocate

Belle Rose Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession Charge

On June 20, 2017, Adonis Jarvis of 334 Tigerville Lane, Belle Rose, 26, pled guilty to the charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Jarvis was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Shawn Bush, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Alvin Turner Jr. This guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors following a 2014 narcotics related search warrant in Donaldsonville.

On Dec. 3, 2014, Narcotics Agents with the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office executed a search warrant at a Donaldsonville residence as part of an ongoing narcotics operation. During the search of the residence, agents located a male subject identified as Jarvis. When he spotted the agents, he fled on foot. Agents gave chase and apprehended Jarvis following a brief foot pursuit. While conducting a pat-down of Jarvis for officer safety, agents located a loaded .38 special revolver in his rear pant pocket. Jarvis was arrested and subsequently booked into the Ascension Parish Detention Center.

Upon entering a guilty plea to the above mentioned charge, as per the plea agreement with prosecutors, Judge Turner ordered that Jarvis be committed to the Louisiana Department of Corrections for a period of 10 years at hard labor with credit for time served. It was further ordered that the imposed sentence is to be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.

Vacherie Man Indicted on Attempted Manslaughter Charge

On June 26, 2017, a St. James Parish Grand Jury returned a True Bill of Indictment for the charge of Attempted Manslaughter on Ryan Harry, 45, of Vacherie. This indictment stems after a physical altercation in the parking lot of a St. James Parish convenience store.

On March 14, 2017, St. James Parish Sheriffs Deputies were dispatched to a local convenience store in reference to a male subject lying on the ground in the parking lot. During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that the victim had been struck by a male subject later identified as Ryan Harry. Harry was subsequently arrested and booked into the St. James Parish Detention Center.

Assistant District Attorney Bruce Mohon is the lead prosecutor on this case. Harry remains incarcerated at the St. James Parish Detention Center.

Assumption Parish Woman Pleads Guilty Following 2016 Fatal Crash

On June 26, 2017, Katie Landry of 107 Oak Lane, Pierre Part, 27, pled guilty as charged to the charges of Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Negligent Injuring (two counts). Landry was prosecuted by District Attorney Ricky L. Babin and Assistant District Attorney Lana Chaney. Presiding over this case was the Honorable Judge Alvin Turner Jr. This guilty plea stems following a 2016 car crash in Assumption Parish that resulted in the death of 58 year old Cheryl Hebert of Paincourtville.

On Jan. 30, 2016, Troopers with Louisiana State Police were dispatched to a two vehicle fatal car crash on La. 308 North of La. 402 in Napoleonville. Through the course of the crash investigation, troopers determined that Landry, the driver of a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe, was traveling northbound on La. 308 when her vehicle crossed the centerline for an unknown reason striking a 2004 Toyota 4-Runner driven by Cheryl Hebert carrying her son and minor grandson. Both vehicles came to rest in a field off the southbound shoulder of La. 308. Hebert was pronounced deceased on scene by the Assumption Parish Coroners Office. Heberts son and grandson were transported to a local hospital where they were evaluated and treated for minor injuries. Landry was transported to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge where she was treated for her injuries. While at the hospital, a blood sample was taken from Landry and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for blood alcohol analysis. On Feb. 12, 2016, the results from the blood alcohol analysis were received from the crime lab and indicated that Landry had a blood alcohol content of .13 grams percent. An arrest warrant was issued for Landry, and she was subsequently arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center.

Upon entering a guilty plea to the above mentioned charges, Judge Turner ordered that sentencing be deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation. Sentencing is set for Aug. 28, 2017.

Prairieville man found guilty for weapons, criminal damage

On June 27, 2017, Erik Mollerberg of Prairieville, 32, was found guilty by the Honorable Judge Thomas Kliebert of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm and Felony Simple Criminal Damage to Property. Mollerberg was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Phil Maples. This guilty verdict stems after a 2016 incident in a Prairieville neighborhood.

On May 8, 2016, deputies with the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office were dispatched to the area of Oakland Drive and La. 73 in Prairieville in reference to an assault. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the victim who advised that while traveling in his vehicle, he turned onto Oakland Drive and decided to turn around in the driveway of a residence. After turning around in the driveway, a male subject identified as Mollerberg approached the roadway pointing an AR-15 assault rifle and yelling profane language at the driver of the vehicle.

As the victim attempts to pull off, Mollerberg lunges at the vehicle striking the passenger side door with the muzzle of the rifle causing damage to the vehicle. The victim then stopped in the roadway, and Mollerberg proceeded to walk towards the vehicle while pointing the rifle at the victim. The victim then fled the area. Upon making contact with Mollerberg, deputies placed him under arrest and was transported to the Ascension Parish Detention Center where he was booked accordingly. Subsequent to Mollerbergs arrest, deputies were able to obtain video footage from surveillance cameras showing the incident.

Upon finding Mollerberg guilty of the above mentioned charges, Judge Kliebert ordered that sentencing be deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation. Sentencing is tentatively set for September 25, 2017. Mollerberg is facing up to 12 years in prison.

Hammond Man Sentenced to 12 years for fourth DWI

On March 13, 2017, Dylan Hart of 44090 Millie Rd. Hammond, 55, pled guilty to the charge of DWI Fourth Offense. Hart was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Phil Maples, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Thomas Kliebert. Sentencing was deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation.

On July 31, 2015, troopers with Louisiana State Police were dispatched to a minor two vehicle crash with no injuries near the intersection of LA 70 and LA 3120 in Ascension Parish. During the course of the crash investigation, troopers detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from Harts person, who was the driver held at fault for the crash. Hart submitted to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests which he failed. Heart was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to the Ascension Parish Detention Center where he voluntarily submitted to chemical breath testing which yielded a breath sample of .160g%, which is twice the legal limit of .08g%.

On June 26, 2017, Hart appeared before Judge Kliebert for sentencing. Judge Kliebert ordered that Hart be committed to the Louisiana Department of Corrections for a period of 12 years at hard labor with credit for time served. The imposed sentence is to be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. It should be noted that this sentence is to run consecutive to an 8 year sentence that Hart is already serving for a prior DWI offense in Tangipahoa Parish.

Guilty Pleas

During the week of June 19-23, 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:

Thaddeus Harvey, 37307 Anderson Rd. Geismar, LA., age 27, pled guilty to Aggravated Assault with a Firearm and was sentenced to 18 months with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.

Milton Maloid, 3219 Shelley Dr. Baton Rouge, LA., age 34, pled guilty to Simple Criminal Damage to Property Over $500 and was sentenced to 1 year with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.

Chad Babin, 14450 L Keller Rd. St. Amant, LA., age 59, pled guilty to Attempted Simple Kidnapping and was sentenced to 2 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 2 years supervised probation.

Cary Boudreaux, 44163 Hwy 429 Gonzales, LA., age 40, pled guilty to Felony Theft and was sentenced to 5 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 5 years supervised probation.

LaShawn Alexander, 5264 Clayton Dr. Baton Rouge, LA., age 36, pled guilty to 2nd Degree Battery and was sentenced to 8 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 5 years supervised probation.

The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Joni Buquoi and Steven Tureau. Presiding over these matters was the Honorable Judge Jessie LeBlanc.

Adonis Jarvis, 334 Tigerville Ln. Belle Rose, LA., age 26, pled guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and was sentenced to 10 years at hard labor with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. It was ordered that the imposed sentence is to be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.

Angela Guist, 17203 Hwy 431 Prairieville, LA., age 45, pled guilty to Possession of a Legend Drug without Prescription or Order and was sentenced to 2 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 2 years supervised probation.

Crystal LeBlanc, 18112 Beechwood Dr. Prairieville, LA., age 37, pled guilty to Unauthorized Use of an Access Card and was sentenced to 18 months with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.

Carlos Carranza Reyes, 38534 Hwy 74 Geismar, LA., age 35, pled guilty to Domestic Abuse Battery and was sentenced to 18 months with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.

The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kenneth Dupaty and Shawn Bush. Presiding over these matters was the Honorable Judge Alvin Turner Jr.

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Ascension crime briefs - News - Gonzales Weekly Citizen ... - Weekly Citizen

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