Tag Archives: Monroe

Former Monroe councilman Stevens pleads guilty to RICO charge

Posted on May 3, 2013 | Leave a comment

Shreveport — U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced Thursday that former Monroe City Councilman Robert E. “Red” Stevens pled guilty to accepting bribes from an FBI cooperating witness in exchange for help with matters pending before the City Council.

The guilty plea was entered in federal court in Shreveport Thursday before U.S. District Court Judge Donald E. Walter.

Stevens was indicted in 2010 and charged with violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, more commonly known as RICO, and the Hobbs Act, which involves extortion by a public official.

During Thursday’s court appearance, Stevens pled guilty to the RICO violation. Pursuant to a plea agreement with the government, the Hobbs Act count will be dismissed after sentencing.

Stevens admitted in court filings that on three separate occasions in 2008 and 2009, he accepted cash bribe payments from Monroe businessman Eddie Hakim, who was working as a cooperating witness under the direction of the FBI. The payments were in exchange for Stevens’ assistance with matters pending before the City Council.

Read more:  http://www.ouachitacitizen.com/

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Monroe, LA: Father Partied at Suga Shack, Left Child Outside in Car

Posted on April 2, 2013 | Comments Off

By Dennis Foley April 1, 2013 12:42

Labarron Spivey was inside the watering hole when a Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputy saw Spivey’s six-year-old child sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle.

Read more: http://710keel.com/

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West Monroe, LA: Suspect gives himself price cuts

Posted on March 22, 2013 | 1 Comment

WEST MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) – West Monroe Police are seeking a suspect who created his own discounts at an area retailer.

On Monday a man went into the unnamed store and selected several high value items of merchandise. he then allegedly then switched actual price tags with tags for items of lesser values.

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If anyone has information on the pictured suspect in this crime, you are urged to contact the Criminal Investigations Division of the West Monroe Police Department at 318-397-6745.

Read more:  http://www.knoe.com/

Looks like Hank forgot his glasses.

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Louisiana State sergeant arrested for drug distribution

Posted on March 21, 2013 | 1 Comment
Posted: Mar 19, 2013 11:15 AM CDT
Updated: Mar 19, 2013 9:26 PM CDT

By KSLA Staff - email
MONROE, LA (KSLA) -An 18-year veteran State Police sergeant was arrested Monday in Monroe on a variety of criminal violations, including narcotics distribution, according to Superintendent of State Police Col. Mike Edmonson.

42-year-old Ronald O. Thomas is accused of public payroll fraud, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine, malfeasance in office and obstruction of justice. Before his arrest, Thomas had been assigned as the evidence custodian for northern Louisiana investigative operations.

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According to the LSP, a criminal investigation had been underway since last year, after information was developed during the course of another investigation suggesting Thomas’ possible involvement in illegal activity.

On Monday, Troopers executed a search warrant on Thomas’ property and seized nearly $50,000 in cash and a stolen weapon.  Other items have also been seized and State Police say they are currently being processed.

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Investigators also arrested 38-year-old Leonard Dunn of Monroe. Dunn was charged with 3 counts of distribution of marijuana and 1 count of distribution of hydrocodone.  Thomas apparently had conspired with Dunn to sell large quantities of cocaine in northeast Louisiana.  Thomas also apparently made attempts to warn Dunn that he was being investigated and instructed Dunn to destroy evidence and dispose of money.

Read more:  http://www.wafb.com/

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Monroe, LA: Stopped and harassed for open carry and filming police

Posted on February 28, 2013 | Comments Off

Uploadeder:  redeye0315

Published on Jan 24, 2013

EDIT: I just wanted to say thanks guys who watched this and to my subscribers. I want to explain and say i’m sorry. When i posted this i said that more videos would be coming soon. Well, I was arrested and incarcerated for 4 days for “open carrying” and “filming” the police. The La. state police confiscated my camera as evidence so it has pretty much halted my video posting for the immediate future, probably until my case is settled in court. Thanks subscribers for being patient and understanding

 

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Monroe, LA: Challenges mount after stray dogs attack Zoo animals

Posted on February 25, 2013 | Comments Off

Only 55 days into 2013 and the fences at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo have twice been breached by stray dogs that attacked some of the zoo’s animals.

On Thursday morning, police were notified around 8 a.m. of an animal complaint at the zoo. An investigation revealed that three dogs, believed to be pit bulls, entered the zoo and killed three African scimitar oxen, one guanaco (a llama) and one addax antelope, exotic animals on loan from other zoos.

Police said two of the dogs were destroyed by zoo personnel and one escaped.

On Jan. 6, another pack of stray dogs attacked two boer goats at the zoo. The goats suffered injuries so severe they had to be euthanized. The dogs reportedly dug under a fence on Bernstein Park Drive to enter the field where the goats were grazing. No other animals were injured and the dogs were not found.

Despite the bad press, zoo director Joe Clawson maintains the zoo is a good place for area residents to visit.

“This is a good zoo,” Clawson said. “No zoo is perfect. But we have a good zoo here in Monroe.”

http://www.thenewsstar.com/

Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo

 

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Monroe, LA: Playstation 3 motive behind drive-by shooting and arrests

Posted on February 11, 2013 | Comments Off

On 02-10-13 at approx. 1000 pm the Monroe Police Department responded to a reported drive by shooting that occurred in the 600 Blk of Columbia Ave. Monroe La. Investigation revealed that Markealin Richard, b/m, age 27 discharged a shotgun from a Beige 1994 Buick LeSabre, La license WKC 119 which was directed at two victims. Richard fled the scene and is wanted by Monroe Police in relation to this incident. There are two victims to this incident, neither of which was injured. These subjects are Tommy Ballard and David Hudson, both of Monroe. Ballard and Hudson were both arrested by Monroe Police as a result of this incident. The investigation revealed that Ballard and Hudson are suspects in a case where they threatened Richard during a dispute involving a Playstation 3. It is believed at this time that the drive by shooting by Richard is retaliation against Ballard and Hudson due to earlier threats and theft in this dispute. Hudson and Ballard were booked at the Richwood Correctional Center for Threats with burglary charges pending.

http://www.knoe.com

 

 

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Nan Salisbury, Girl Scout legend, dies

Posted on February 8, 2013 | Comments Off

Nan Salisbury is a legend in Girl Scout circles. She is pictured in her Monroe home on July 3. / Margaret Croft/The News-Star

Nan Salisbury of Monroe, whose name was synonymous with the Girl Scouts in northeastern Louisiana, died Wednesday morning following a battle with cancer. She was 88.

Friends said Salisbury’s effervescent spirit empowered children and adults.

Salisbury was both a volunteer and retired executive director of the former Silver Waters Girl Scouts Council.

http://www.thenewsstar.com/

 

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Graveyard hit by vandals and now a car wreck

Posted on February 5, 2013 | Comments Off

MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) – Shattered glass and parts of a car bumper are left behind at Old City Cemetery. That’s after, investigators say, a car cruising along Desired Street two weeks ago went over a set of railroad tracks, overturned, and landed on the property.

Three people were inside and all were leaving a club, according to police. They’re recovering from minor injuries.

“I cringed and my heart sank. There’s a tone of history and it just breaks my heart,” Lora Peppers said.

Peppers serves as the president of “Friends of Old City Cemetery.” She’s hoping the damages caused by the crash won’t be a buried issue for long. Police are waiting on lab results to figure out if alcohol was a factor.

http://www.knoe.com/

If you follow the link and watch the video of the news report, twice the reporter uses the pun “buried”.  ”…they are hoping the issue doesn’t stay buried for long.”

I abhor it when what should be a serious story -  news  stations and reporters will resort to using cheesy puns.  It’s one thing for someone like me, a mere blogger,  to say something like that – but coming from what is supposedly the respected serious media it’s just plain tacky.  Resorting to puns completely undermines them as being the serious respected media.

I hope that the MSM is buried six feet under very soon.  With reporting like this they are digging their own graves.  Bloggers are now giving many news agencies some seriously stiff competition.

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Social media creates web for police to unravel

Posted on February 1, 2013 | Comments Off

Social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter have redeeming qualities local law enforcement agencies said can and have benefitted them countless times over the last several years.

However, those same outlets could create unnecessary hurdles, too.

Last month, Monroe Police Chief Quentin Holmes held a community meeting to address concerns of criminal activity in northern Monroe neighborhoods.

One incident mentioned at the meeting was when a man on Tower Drive reportedly asked a woman to borrow her phone. Holmes said the man allegedly then struck the woman in the head with a hammer after she refused.

Shortly after the incident, some area residents began posting on forums, such as the Facebook page of the Garden District Neighborhood Alliance, alleging other incidents.

One such post, made on Dec. 16, stated, “Another mugging on McKeen and a car was shot up at a church on Loop this weekend.”

However, police said they looked into the supposed shooting and found it to be a rumor.

Sgt. Jeff Gilbert, with Monroe Police, said regulating posts on Facebook does not fall under the jurisdiction of most police departments.

http://www.thenewsstar.com/

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