Tagged News

• Inmate from Morgan City recaptured after escaping East Carroll prison, police say Play Video

  November 11, 2024 2:57 PM

  LAKE PROVIDENCE - An inmate from the Morgan City area escaped early Monday from Riverbend Detention Center in East Carroll Parish, but was later recaptured. Wayne Michael Escort, 36, was serving a sentence at the detention center at the time of his escape, according to the Morgan City Police... more »

• Deputies arrest juvenile detention center guard accused of inappropriate communications with inmate

  September 30, 2024 5:28 PM

  HAMMOND — A former guard at the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center accused of inappropriate communications with a juvenile inmate was arrested, deputies said. Taylor Johnson, 28, was arrested Sunday on one count each of obscenity and malfeasance in office. Johnson had been a guard at the facility... more »

• Correctional sergeant, former prison employee arrested for having sexual conduct with inmates Play Video

  August 9, 2024 4:39 PM

  ST. GABRIEL — Two women, a correctional sergeant and a former state prison employee, were arrested for sexual conduct with a person in a correctional institution at a St. Gabriel prison, arrest records show. Arraneisha Valentine and Ja'camry Davis, both 22, were each arrested for malfeasance in office, sexual... more »

• Inmate at Tangipahoa Parish Jail dies after experiencing possible medical emergency

  July 25, 2024 1:05 PM

  AMITE - Investigators are looking into the cause of death of an inmate at the Tangipahoa Parish Jail Thursday morning. Inmate Christopher Woodard, 47, reported not feeling well shortly before 6 a.m. Thursday. Before he could be transferred to the medical wing, deputies with the parish sheriff's office said... more »

• Tangipahoa Parish Jail employee fired, arrested after physical altercation with inmate

  July 19, 2024 3:10 PM

  AMITE - A former Tangipahoa Parish Jail employee and an inmate were arrested Friday after a fight between the two. According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, Jaden Lamark, 20, was booked on one count each of simple battery and malfeasance in office after a July 4 altercation with... more »

• Reward increased for information on escaped inmate from Tangipahoa Parish Jail Play Video

  June 6, 2024 12:46 PM

  AMITE - In an effort to catch the last of four escaped inmates , the Tangipahoa Sheriff's Office announced an increased reward for any information leading to the capture of a man who escaped from the Tangipahoa Parish Jail. Jamarcus Cyprian, 20, of Amite, is the last of four... more »

• Current situation is 'no surprise:' Tangipahoa Parish sheriff-elect to speak on continuing search for missing inmates Play Video

  May 30, 2024 9:02 AM

  AMITE - The search continues for two inmates who escaped from the Tangipahoa Parish Jail over the weekend, and the parish sheriff-elect says the situation law enforcement is facing comes as no surprise. Four inmates escaped from the Tangipahoa Parish Jail over the weekend and deputies were not aware... more »

• Local attorney, 77, accused of smuggling drugs to inmate, helping pay off witnesses Play Video

  November 30, 2023 1:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A longtime local attorney is charged in a felony case that accuses him of trying to smuggle drugs to an inmate inside the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, and -- in a separate matter -- of trying to pay witnesses so they would not to show up... more »

• Man hangs himself while in custody at State Police facility in Baton Rouge

  August 10, 2023 8:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A man being questioned in a violent crime investigation is dead after he managed to hang himself at a building adjacent to Louisiana State Police headquarters on Thursday. Sources tell the WBRZ Investigative Unit that the individual, Kiyle Maxwell, 25, was in custody relative to a... more »

• Angola inmate accused of killing another inmate during fight

  July 20, 2022 7:17 PM

  ANGOLA, La. – Officials at the Louisiana State Penitentiary are investigating after one inmate allegedly killed another. The state Department of Corrections said Kevin Hamburg, 26, got into a fight with Carlos McGrew, 42, about 5:40 a.m. Tuesday at Camp C at the prison. McGrew died, and possible criminal... more »

• St. Tammany inmate dies from unknown medical condition

  January 23, 2022 6:39 PM

  ST. TAMMANY PARISH - An inmate of the St. Tammany Parish Correctional center died Sunday from complications of an unknown medical condition. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office said 52-year-old Marcus Morris was brought to a hospital after deputies noticed Morris needed emergency medical attention. Deputies administered first... more »

• Man with 20 arrests found living in attic of woman's Louisiana apartment

  October 26, 2021 1:41 PM

  LACASSINE - A man with a long history of arrests was booked into jail once again after it was discovered he'd been living in the attic of an apartment without the tenant realizing it. The Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office said Gregory Bonnette, 33, was arrested again Monday after... more »

• St. Mary Parish Inmate attempts jail escape

  July 25, 2021 11:16 AM

  ST. MARY'S PARISH - An inmate attempted an unsuccessful escape at St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center Sunday morning. Deputies noticed the inmate was not in his assigned area, but later found him in the facility. Sheriff Smith says the inmate did not get outside the facility and... more »

• Prison supervisor hospitalized after weekend attack in maximum-security cell block Play Video

  June 7, 2021 12:06 PM

  JACKSON- A prison supervisor spent the weekend in critical condition after being stabbed by an inmate, sources told WBRZ Monday. The supervisor and another corrections officer were attacked Friday at Dixon Correctional in East Feliciana Parish. The other officer was treated for injuries that were not as severe as... more »

• Former corrections officer describes brutal prison rape that led to no charges for alleged attacker Play Video

  November 25, 2020 5:48 PM

  ST. GABRIEL- A former Elayn Hunt Corrections Officer is speaking out for the first time after she said she was brutally raped by inmate Erick Dehart over the summer. In a shocking twist, Deshunta Miller was indicted for malfeasance in office for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a... more »

• Inmate dead after fight Tuesday morning inside Angola

  September 1, 2020 4:34 PM

  ANGOLA - Criminal charges may be filed after a fight between inmates at the state penitentiary left one of them dead. A pair of inmates were involved in a fight Tuesday (September 1) morning, prison officials said. One of the inmates in the fight died a short time after... more »

• Federal prison in Louisiana reports first COVID-19 death

  March 29, 2020 6:24 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal prison in Louisiana has reported its first death due to COVID-19. Accodring to the Washington Post, Patrick Jones, 49, was the first inmate in the Federal Bureau of Prisons to test positive for Covid-19 on March 19, and was the first to die from... more »

• Work release inmate back in custody after morning escape

  September 22, 2019 2:17 PM

  WALKER - A work releases inmate was briefly on the lam Sunday morning, prompting a search of areas along I-12 in Walker. The sheriff’s office said the inmate left a facility Sunday morning and was back in custody around lunchtime. People reported seeing numerous law enforcement officers search... more »

• Escaped West Baton Rouge inmate arrested in Tennessee

  March 23, 2019 6:28 PM

  UPDATE: Jimmy Gioele was arrested in Memphis, Tennessee Monday. He's being held in the Memphis Jail as a fugitive and will be transported back to West Baton Rouge to face simple escape charges. ***** PORT ALLEN- Authorities are looking for an inmate that has escaped from a... more »

• St. Tammany jail employee accused of forging inmate's signature

  October 12, 2018 6:02 PM

  ST. TAMMANY PARISH - A St. Tammany Parish Jail employee has been fired after he allegedly falsified documents at the jail. According to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, Kyle Smith was arrested Friday after a deputy discovered a discrepancy with an inmate's paperwork last week. An investigation... more »

• Terminally ill inmate who 'escaped' nursing home Friday captured

  April 13, 2018 5:26 PM

  JACKSON – A terminally ill inmate who had been granted a compassionate release to stay in a nursing home for the rest of his sentence walked out of the medical facility he'd been living at Friday. Paul Stephan, 67, was serving a 30-year sentence for second-degree robbery since 2010.... more »

• Prison guard arrested for having sex with inmate, bringing drugs into jail

  December 20, 2017 9:15 AM

  NEW ORLEANS- A female guard at the Orleans Justice Center was arrested for having sexual contact with an inmate and bringing illegal drugs into the jail, according to authorities. WWL-TV reports that Oshen Heilman, 25, was arrested at the jail Tuesday when she arrived for work. Heilman was... more »

• WBRZ investigates prisoners walking free, work release businesses frustrated

  August 29, 2017 6:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE- In a series of exclusive reports, people with close knowledge of the state's work release program have questioned the state's management of the system that allows prisoners access to life outside the prison walls. WBRZ began investigating complaints of work release inmate escapes months ago and published... more »

• Angola inmate recovers from West Nile Virus; prison officials taking preventative measures

  July 20, 2017 2:29 PM

  ANGOLA – An inmate at the Louisiana State Penitentiary has recovered from the first known case of West Nile Virus at the prison, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections confirmed. The inmate, who has not been identified and only described as middle-aged, was diagnosed with the... more »

• Woman recalls terrifying encounter with WBR work release inmate Play Video

  June 29, 2017 11:36 AM

  PLAQUEMINE- A West Baton Rouge Parish work release inmate is under arrest Thursday morning in Iberville Parish, after investigators say he broke into a house and beat up a woman. The incident occurred around 9 a.m., according to Plaquemine Police Chief Kenny Payne. Investigators said... more »

• 12 indicted after deadly inmate attack in Tangipahoa Jail

  May 12, 2017 2:03 PM

  TANGIPAHOA PARISH – A Tangipahoa Parish grand jury indicted 12 people for beating an inmate to death. On January 30, 40-year-old Tommy Joe Smith, of Independence, was attacked and beaten to death by multiple inmates while he was in custody at the Tangipahoa Parish Jail. The 12 people... more »

• West Baton Rouge inmate captured after walking off job site Play Video

  April 26, 2017 2:26 PM

  WEST BATON ROUGE – A West Baton Rouge work release inmate who walked off his job this week was captured Wednesday morning. The inmate, Michael Allen, was working at Fluker Farms when he walked off the job around 6 :30 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the West Baton Rouge... more »

• West Baton Rouge work release inmate captured in Oklahoma

  March 1, 2017 12:22 PM

  UPDATE: U.S. Marshals confirmed that David Graham was captured in Oklahoma Friday morning, two days after he escaped from West Baton Rouge Parish. BATON ROUGE- The West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office is searching for another work release inmate that apparently walked off of a job site this... more »

• WBR work release inmate captured after escape, car chase

  February 27, 2017 11:09 AM

  WEST BATON ROUGE – Authorities say a West Baton Rouge work release inmate is back in custody after an escape and car chase overnight. According to the sheriff's office, Rickey Lake, 34, went missing after 10:30 p.m. on Sunday. Lake did not appear for the 12:30 a.m. headcount and... more »

• Man in custody after escaping from Plaquemine courthouse

  February 23, 2017 1:23 PM

  PLAQUEMINE – A man briefly escaped custody at the Iberville Parish Courthouse in Plaquemine Thursday. Sheriff Brett Stassi tells WBRZ that Jammie Dennis was sentenced to 30 days in jail at court Thursday morning. As he was being escorted from the courthouse, Dennis broke away, climbed a fence and... more »

• Elayn Hunt Correctional cadet booked with battery after punching inmate

  February 20, 2017 5:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE – An Elayn Hunt Correctional Center cadet has been booked on a battery charge after punching an inmate while on duty. St. Gabriel Police detectives booked 23-year-old Eric Lands with simple battery. After learning of the incident, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections notified... more »

• UPDATE: WBR Work release inmate captured at Metairie parade Play Video

  February 17, 2017 12:13 PM

  WEST BATON ROUGE – The West Baton Rouge work release inmate that escaped last week has been captured. WBR inmate Mertis Wade was captured last night around 8 p.m. at the Krewe of Caesar Parade in Metairie. When authorities ask Mertis why he left, he stated he wanted to... more »

• Inmate killed just hours after being booked into Tangipahoa Parish Jail

  January 31, 2017 10:32 AM

  AMITE - An inmate was killed in the Tangipahoa Parish Jail after being in custody for less than 12 hours. According to Sheriff Daniel Edwards, jail staff responded to a disturbance between offenders late Monday night. Staff found an inmate in need of immediate medical attention and called for... more »

• Two accused of raping inmate at Ascension Parish jail

  January 13, 2017 5:37 PM

  ASCENSION – The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office is investigating the rape of a parish inmate that was reported on Thursday night. The inmate reported that he had been raped by another inmate on two separate occasions in the past week, officials say. Louisiana State Police detectives were asked to... more »

• Inmate transferred following alleged beating by six Elayn Hunt officers

  January 13, 2017 4:02 PM

  ST. GABRIEL – An inmate who was allegedly beaten by six Elayn Hunt corrections officer has been transferred to another facility. The corrections officers were placed on administrative leave on Wednesday after an investigation began into the alleged battery of the inmate. The St. Gabriel Police Department and detectives... more »

• Authorities investigating inmate death in Iberia Parish Jail

  January 3, 2017 9:05 PM

  NEW IBERIA - Investigators with the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office are investigating the death of an inmate at the Iberia Parish Jail. The 48-year-old inmate was arrested at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Sheriff's Office. Authorities said deputies were called to Center St. and Admiral Doyle Dr.... more »

• Former State Penitentiary corrections cadet booked for sexual misconduct with inmate

  December 30, 2016 7:53 PM

  WEST FELICIANA – West Feliciana Parish Sheriff's detectives booked a former Louisiana State Penitentiary Corrections Cadet for sexual misconduct with an inmate. The former cadet, 20-year-old Pernell J. Glover, Jr., was booked with malfeasance in office and sexual misconduct prohibited with persons in the custody and supervision of the... more »

• EBRSO searching for missing work release inmate

  November 2, 2016 12:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE – East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Detectives are looking for a work release inmate that walked away from his job site on Tuesday evening. According to EBRSO, the inmate is 51-year-old Michael Gambino, III. Gambino did not return from his work assignment Tuesday evening from the O'Neal Lane... more »

• Deputies searching for 'improperly released' inmate in Lafayette

  October 26, 2016 3:24 PM

  LAFAYETTE – Lafayette Parish deputies are searching for an inmate who was ‘improperly released’ Wednesday afternoon. According to a KATC report, 29-year-old Joshua Simon was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans. He is described as being 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 155 pounds. ... more »

• Escaped inmate steals car from Lafayette dealership

  September 15, 2016 3:24 PM

  LAFAYETTE – Deputies in Lafayette Parish say an inmate who walked away from a housing unit Wednesday later stole a car from a car dealership Thursday has been arrested. According to a KATC report, Shane Paul Thomas has an extensive criminal history including drug and theft charges. After deputies... more »

• Escaped Assumption inmate captured in Terrebonne Parish

  September 14, 2016 2:35 PM

  MORGAN CITY – Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Facon says an inmate who escaped from deputies earlier this week was captured in Terrebonne Parish Sunday evening. According to Leland, 44-year-old Drake Domangue escaped custody Wednesday morning while deputies were transporting him for mental health treatment. He was captured and booked... more »

• EBR Public Defender's office is going broke Play Video

  March 21, 2016 8:54 AM

  BATON ROUGE- There could be no public defenders in Baton Rouge by the summer, an audit released Monday found. The state may not have enough money to keep the public defender's office handling cases in East Baton Rouge Parish open past June 30th. Already, public defenders said they're entering... more »

• Mistakenly released inmate booked into jail overnight

  February 3, 2016 11:15 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A man released from state custody while facing charges in two other parishes has now been booked into jail again. Emanuel Jones was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison overnight. Jones faces carjacking, armed robbery, battery and felon in possession of a firearm charges... more »

• Mistaken release of inmate prompts investigation by state Play Video

  January 29, 2016 12:01 PM

  ST. GABRIEL - A state investigation is now underway to figure out who is at fault in the mistaken release of an Elayn Hunt Correctional Center inmate wanted for escape and carjacking Thursday. According to the Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System (LAVNS), Emanuel Jones was released from Elayn Hunt... more »

• Convicted serial killer Derrick Todd Lee dies at 47 Play Video

  January 21, 2016 11:17 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Convicted serial killer Derrick Todd Lee died shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday while receiving medical care at a local hospital, according to state corrections officials. He was 47. Spokeswoman for the Department of Safety and Corrections Pam Laborde says an autopsy will be performed, and an... more »

• FOLLOW UP: Deputies working night of possible inmate escape to be questioned

  December 18, 2015 12:45 PM

  PORT ALLEN – West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's deputies who are assigned the overnight shift at the jail's work release bunk area will be questioned Friday after Baton Rouge Police said a man escaped the center and attacked a man in the parking of a hotel on the east side... more »

• WBR work release inmate accused of crime while in custody Play Video

  December 16, 2015 3:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - An arrest warrant has been issued for a Department of Corrections inmate, accused of committing an armed robbery and carjacking. Emanuel Jones was a work release inmate housed at the West Baton Rouge Parish Detention Center. The incident happened in November, according to the arrest... more »

• Searchers actively following tips for missing inmate

  November 6, 2015 1:23 PM

  DENHAM SPRINGS - Authorities said they're actively following up on tips in the search for a work release inmate who left his job site earlier this week in Livingston Parish. A spokesperson for the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said they and members of the Walker Police Department searched an... more »

• Deputies searching for missing work-release inmate

  November 5, 2015 1:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Sheriff's deputies said they're searching for a work release inmate out of Livingston Parish who left his job earlier this week. The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office said Kevin Whetstone, 30, was working offshore on a tugboat and called a relative to pick him up after... more »

• Mistakenly released killer arrested in Georgia

  October 2, 2015 1:52 AM

  ATLANTA- Authorities have captured an inmate that was mistakenly let out of a jail earlier this week in Louisiana. The U.S. Marshals Service arrested Benjuiel Johnson, 32, just after midnight Friday morning at a motel just outside of Atlanta. Authorities in Georgia said a Gwinett County deputy assigned to... more »

• Angola Prison Rodeo coming in October Play Video

  September 30, 2015 9:36 AM

  ANGOLA- The Angola Prison Rodeo is coming back to town for the month of October. The rodeo has become a staple in Louisiana, where people from all over the state travel to the prison to watch the inmates participate in various events. The nation’s longest-running prison rodeo features events like... more »

• Detectives looking for escaped inmate

  September 17, 2015 2:18 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Detectives with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office are looking for an inmate who left his work release job yesterday evening. Deputies said 24-year-old Damarkius Spears, a Department of Corrections inmate, was last seen by an 84 Lumber employee yesterday evening at his work release job... more »