Pubdate: Thu, 04 Jul 2002
Source: Courier, The (LA)
Copyright: 2002 Houma Today
Contact:  http://www.houmatoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1477
Author: Dee Dee Thurston
Note: The names and addresses of detainees have been removed by the MAP 
Editor and replaced with a * to protect the privacy of people who have not 
been convicted.

22 ARRESTED FOR SMUGGLING CONTRABAND INTO JAIL

Twenty-two people who police say illegally brought narcotics and tobacco 
into the parish jail earlier this year could now face jail time for the crimes.

All are charged with racketeering. If convicted, each face up to 50 years 
in prison and fines of up to $1 million. Racketeering occurs when a person 
or group of people obtained money illegally through fraud or extortion.

Police say all of those accused were either directly or indirectly involved 
with providing inmates with the banned items.

"Prisoners were calling for drugs and these people would throw it over the 
fence or drop it on the grounds," said Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Jerry 
Larpenter. "It's not a large amount of drugs; it's just the fact that they 
tried to smuggle it into the jail."

The arrests began Wednesday after police secured arrest warrants, Larpenter 
said, and are the result of a months-long investigation that included audio 
and video tape surveillance.

The investigation, which Larpenter said started about six months ago, began 
after a tipster told police tobacco and drugs were being smuggled into the 
jail.

Deputies and narcotic task force agents confiscated some of the items, 
including $300 worth of cigarette tobacco, $150 worth of cigarettes, $960 
worth of cigars, $318 worth of marijuana and $420 worth of crack cocaine.

Larpenter said the values provided are retail prices and that the items 
would be worth substantially more inside the parish jail.

Thirteen of the 22 people were already behind bars, awaiting trial on other 
charges.

They are:

a.. *, 27, * King St., Houma.

b.. *, 25, * Court St., Gibson.

c.. *, 30, * Talbot St., Thibodaux.

d.. *, 21, * Samuel St., Houma.

e.. *, 24, * Grand Caillou Road, Houma.

f.. *, 29, * Leslie St., Houma.

g.. *, 39, * Scheley St., Houma.

h.. *, 22, * Agnes St., Houma

i.. *, 39, * Roussell St., Houma.

j.. *, 26, * Wellington St., Houma.

k.. *, 22, * St. Charles St., Houma.

l.. *, 26, * Leslie St., Houma.

m.. *, 24, * Laban St. *, Houma.

Six were arrested Wednesday. They are:

a.. *, 26, * Bond St., Houma.

b.. *, 46, * Killarney Loop, Houma.

c.. *, 28, * Acadian Drive, Houma.

d.. *, 28, * Cavaness Drive, Houma.

e.. *, 46, * Leslie St., Houma.

f.. *, 21, * Oak Point Road, Montegut.

All are being held in lieu of bonds of $100,000 each.

Three other people remain at large, Larpenter said.

Police were not sure of the relationships between those in jail and those 
outside it, with the exception of three of those arrested. * is the mother 
of two inmates: * and *, Larpenter said.
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MAP posted-by: Ariel