Crime Press Releases

St John Parish Sheriff's Dept.

Martrell Tuco Arrested Again For Setting Fire

Martrell LaShawn Tuco, 38, of LaPlace was arrested April 18, 2024 after he started a fire in a bathroom of a LaPlace business. On Tuesday, April 16th, 2024, about 8 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 100 block of Belle Terre Boulevard in LaPlace in...

Omari Robertson Arrested in Shooting Investigation

Omari Robertson, 18, of Reserve was arrested April 15, 2204 in connection to a shooting in a Reserve neighborhood. On April 10, 2024, about 430 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of East 15th Street in Reserve in reference to gunshots heard in the area. Upon...

David Eames Arrrested for Illegal Drugs Activity

David Eames, 48, of Reserve was arrested April 16, 2024 in connection to illegal drugs activity in St. John the Baptist Parish. In early April, the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division began an investigation of Eames and his involvement in the...

Ellis Batiste Jr. Arrested for Illegal Drugs Activity

Ellis Batiste Jr., 31, of LaPlace was arrested Friday, April 5, 2024, in connection to illegal drugs activity in St. John the Baptist Parish. In February 2024, the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division began an investigation of Batiste Jr. and his...

Four Males Arrested after Vehicle Crashes into House

Two men and two male juveniles from LaPlace were arrested April 3, 2024 after they fled from officers in a stolen vehicle then crashed 0the vehicle into a home in a LaPlace neighborhood. Arrested were Oscar Smith and Avante Ursin, both 18; a 13-year-old male; and a...

Juvenile Arrested for Threats to ESJH

A 15-year-old female from LaPlace was arrested January 29, 2024 in connection to a threat of violence at East St. John High School in Reserve. On December 12, 2023, school administrators were notified of a student making threatening statements toward others and the...

Two Men Arrested for Armed Robbery

Two local men were arrested January 26, 2024 in connection to an armed robbery that occurred on East 21st Street in Reserve. Arrested were Brandon Blackmore, 18, of LaPlace; and Markee King Jr., 18, of Reserve. On Sunday, January 21, 2024, about 7:30 p.m., a female...

SJSO Investigates LaPlace Homicide

SJSO detectives are investigating a LaPlace shooting that resulted in the death of 36-year-old Kenneth Ray Paynes of Baker. On Thursday, January 18, 2024, about 8:30 p.m., deputies responded to gunshots heard in the area of Captain G. Bourgeois Street in LaPlace. Upon...

LaPlace Teen Arrested for Rape

A 16-year-old male from LaPlace was arrested January 17, 2024 for rape involving juveniles. On January 15, 2024, the SJSO received a complaint of allegations of child sexual abuse of two juveniles. During the course of the investigation, detectives obtained evidence...

LaPlace Teen Arrested for Rape

A 16-year-old male from LaPlace was arrested January 17, 2024 for rape involving juveniles. On January 15, 2024, the SJSO received a complaint of allegations of child sexual abuse of two juveniles. During the course of the investigation, detectives obtained evidence...