Homer’s Most Wanted:
The Guardian-Journal
Two
more people in connection with Operation TBOS (Taking Back Our Streets) have
been arrested – however, the Homer Police Department is still looking for more.
Arrested
were:
•
Antonio Turner, 25 of Athens for distribution of Schedule I CDS (marijuana)
with bond set at $30,000, distribution of Schedule II CDS (cocaine) with bond
set at $30,000 and distribution of Schedule III CDS (Lortab) with bond set at
$30,000.
•
Carolyn Davis, 40, of Homer for distribution of Schedule III CDS (Lortab) with bond set at $30,000 and Distribution of Schedule III CDS (Seroquil).
Both
subjects were arrested on grand jury indictments on Tuesday, September 7
without incident and transported to the parish jail.
Even
though these two have been arrested, the Homer Police Department are looking
for three more individuals in connection with the operation. They are:
• Brian
T. Ferguson
• Kevin
D. Johnson
•
Johnny Kimble
The
Homer Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating these three
individuals.
Operation
TBOS came about as a result of several complaints the department had been
receiving about prescription pills being sold illegally. From these sales,
there were several overdoses, including one fatal one, police said. So far,
more than 40 grand jury indictments have been handed down for arrests for these
alleged drug distributors. Those arrested have been charged with various distribution
charges anywhere from marijuana to prescription pain killers such as Lortab.
If
anyone has any information on the three individuals listed above, please call
the Homer Police Department at 927-4000.
Homer
Chief of Police Russell Mills wants to remind citizens that they don’t want
your name, just your information.
Scarborough: ‘Only By God’s Grace...’
9/11 program draws hundreds
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Dr. Rick Scarborough speaks at the 9/11
program held at First Baptist Church in Homer.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
September 11, 2010
marked the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks which took down the World Trade Center in New York City, crashed into the Pentagon in Washington DC and took the lives of thousands.
In
remembrance of that terrible day, First Baptist Church in Homer held its annual
program to honor law enforcement, firefighters and emergency personnel who lost
their lives that day and their families. It was also a time to honor those who
survived as well as local law enforcement, firefighters and emergency personnel
of Claiborne Parish.
“Today
is a day to honor our law enforcement,” said Michael Allen, co-chairman of the
event, “but more importantly to honor those that lost their lives that day.”
Dr.
Rick Scarborough, founder of “Vision America,” was the featured speaker for the
event, and he said there were two events in his life that he’d never forget:
the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and 9/11.
Everybody
remembers where they were on that fateful day, and Scarborough was no
different.
He got
a call from his assistant pastor who asked him if his television was turned on.
“I
turned on the TV and I saw the send plane careen into the second tower,” Scarborough said, “and then the towers fell.”
He
misses the unity of the days following 9/11 because it brought the whole
country together under one flag and it brought the country together in prayer.
“It was
a time when the whole country bowed in prayer,” he said.
However,
nine years later, the United States has gone back to a sense of normalcy in
that people are carrying on with their lives with one distinct difference.
“We’ve
gone from one nation under God to one nation at war with God,” he said.
According
to his statistics, the United States is now $14 trillion in debt and Congress
is spending more money than the country can afford.
“America is in serious trouble,” he told attendees of the program. “Judges have gone from
enforcing the law to making the law. When will the madness stop? It will stop
when we stand up in public and say, ‘Now – it stops now!’
“Only
by God’s grace have we not been attacked again,” Scarborough continued. “The
core value of this country was ‘We need God.’ They’ve taken all that away. Why?
Because we’ve let them.”
He
referred to John 3:16, saying “Our job is to be agents of change while we’re
here.”
So, how
are people supposed to change the United States?
“We get
America back the way we lost it – one elected official at a time,” he said.
It was
in 1992 that Scarborough began teaching his congregation about changing their
community through one elected official at a time. It all began when he exposed
the contents of an assembly program at his daughter’s high school where a young
lady, under the auspices of an “AIDS Presentation,” began candidly discussing
“every sex act imaginable expressing the opinion – presented as fact – that
‘safe sex’ was attainable by using condoms,” according to his biography.
Scarborough recorded the assembly and made the transcript available
to his congregation. The outrage from his congregation caught the attention of
the national media which sparked the congregation to make significant changes
in Pearland, located just southeast of Houston, Texas. Church members began
running for public office, volunteering for various organizations beyond the
“traditional Christian ministry.”
Later,
in 1998, Scarborough founded “Vision America,” an organization which seeks to
bring Judeo-Christian values back into America.
And it
is through that endeavor that Scarborough brings about change in his and
surrounding communities.
Fire bug hits Claiborne
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
On Friday, September 10, a fire bug hit
Claiborne Parish. That afternoon, Claiborne Parish Fire District #6 and the
Department of Forestry was called to several grass fires along Chatman Loop and
Highway 9. Firefighters sprayed a perimeter of water around the burn sites to
keep it from spreading before heading to the next one. The Department of
Forestry provided dirt work to stop the spread of flames. According to
officials on scene, these fires were intentionally set, but the cause is yet
undetermined.
Homer Memorial Hospital turns over helm
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Homer Memorial Hospital now
has a new administrator.
After
many hours of searching and reading through several resumes, the Homer Town
Council approved the hiring of Scott Barrilleaux (pronounced Bar-ee-o), a
native of Louisiana.
“We’ve
gone through several resumes over the last several months, and we feel like
Scott is the best choice,” said Hospital Board President Wesley Emerson.
Board
Vice President George Tigner, who was a part of the search committee, agreed
and said Barrilleaux would be a “great asset to the community and the
hospital.”
Originally
from Thibodeaux, Barrilleaux comes from Oklahoma to return to his Louisiana roots.
“My
family and my wife’s family are all from Louisiana, and we wanted to be closer
to them,” he told council members Monday night.
His
desire is to bring healthcare improvements to Homer Hospital. He comes from a
hospital in Oklahoma where he served as chief executive officer. According to
his resume, he was charged with complete responsibility and oversight with over
450 employees and a medical staff of 32 physicians.
Barrilleaux
comes to Homer with many accomplishments under his belt, including awards from
QHR for Best Overall Performance $16-$40 Million Revenue Group 2010 and the
Citizen of the Year award in 2004-5 from the Kinder Chamber of Commerce.
His
education includes a bachelor of science degree from the University of Phoenix in New Orleans and an MHA from Tulane University in New Orleans in 2002.
The
council voted 3-2 in favor of Barrilleaux.
In
other council news, the council approved:
• The purchase
of a new tractor for $15,900 to replace the old one. Public Works Supervisor
Lee Wells says the one they currently have is more than 20 years old and needed
to be replaced.
• A new
account for facility rentals for auditing purposes. Homer Mayor Alecia Smith
says this account is so the monies received from facility rentals can be kept
easier.
• The
introduction of an ordinance for policy and rental fee of the town’s
facilities.
• Three
Homer Police Patrol Units were declared surplus plus one car engine. Homer
Police Chief Russell Mills told council members he wished to have them declared
surplus so that he can get the parts he needs from those vehicles, then crush
the car bodies. These three vehicles will be put out for public bid.
The
next Homer Town Council meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, October 4, in council chambers at the Homer Police Station. A public hearing for the ordinance
which allows the mayor to partner with the Claiborne Parish Police Jury for
building inspections with IBTS, the parish’s building code consultants will be
held at 5:30 p.m., just 30 minutes before the beginning of the regular council
meeting.
CNET busy sweeping drugs off streets
The Guardian-Journal
Narcotics
officers with the Claiborne Narcotic Enforcement Team (CNET) were busy last
week sweeping drugs off the streets.
According
to a press release from CNET, on Friday, September 10, CNET concluded a
six-week investigation into the distribution of marijuana from Turner’s
Grocery, located on La. Hwy. 2 Alternate between Haynesville and Summerfield.
Sheriff Ken Bailey stated that in late July of this year, CNET agents received information that marijuana was being distributed from Turner’s Grocery.
From
that information, agents started their investigation and were able to make
three undercover buys from the store as well as the residence next to the
store.
Agents
identified the subjects involved as Tiffany Turner and Derrick Billard. The
arrest warrants were for three counts of distribution of Schedule I CDS
(marijuana) and three counts of criminal conspiracy to distribute Schedule I
CDS (marijuana).
On
Friday, September 10, Claiborne FAST (Felony Arrest and Search Team) members
and Louisiana State Police Region III SWAT coordinated their efforts and served
this search warrant at approximately 6:25.
Sheriff
Bailey stated that tactical personnel were able to secure the locations without
incident and that three people were located within the residence and no people
were found in the store or anywhere else on the property.
CNET agents immediately placed Tiffany Turner and Derrick
Billard under arrest on warrants that were obtained earlier. The third person
in the residence, identified as Jacqueline Blue, was detained pending the
search of the residence and store.
During
the search, CNET agents found and seized numerous items related to the
distribution of marijuana in addition to a quantity of marijuana already
packaged for sale. Agents also seized a 12 gauge shotgun.
These
items led to additional charges against Tiffany Turner and Derrick Billard for
possession with intent to distribute Schedule I CDS (marijuana), possession of
drug paraphernalia, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Further
investigation into Blue revealed that she provided false information as to her
identity and she was later identified as Dorothy Faye Blue. A NCIC check of Ms.
Blue revealed that she was wanted by the Bossier City Police for passing
counterfeit checks. Ms. Blue was arrested for possession of marijuana and
resisting an officer by false information. Additionally, a hold was placed on
Blue for Bossier City Police.
All
subjects were transported to jail and booked with bond to be set by a judge.
Sheriff
Bailey concluded by stating that cooperation between our local law enforcement
agencies is better than he has ever seen it and that is what makes cases. All
of our local agencies work hard but none of us are so large that we can do
everything without assistance. A tremendous burden is lifted by knowing that
the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Homer Police Department, the
Haynesville Police Department, the Louisiana State Police and numerous other
local, state and federal agencies share a relationship that centers on
enforcing the law and protecting our citizens.
In a
separate incident, Haynesville Police Chief Anthony Smith announced that on
Thursday, September 9, CNET, along with Haynesville Police Department personnel
and CPSO personnel served a search warrant on Spring Drive in Haynesville.
Chief
Smith advised that CNET agents Adrian Malone and James Spillers conducted an
investigation into activity at the “Car Wash and Detail Shop” for approximately
six week. The results of this investigation led agents to obtain a search
warrant for the business along with arrest warrants for Douglas French for
distribution of Schedule II CDS (cocaine).
On
Thursday evening, Claiborne FAST members made a daylight approach on the
business and served the search warrant. Smith stated that FAST, along with Haynesville PD patrol officers, were able to serve this warrant without incident
and detained six subjects that were at the business.
However,
the subject wanted in this investigation, Douglas French, was not there,
according to Chief Smith. Agents and FAST members conducted a thorough search
of the business and all subjects that were present and this search resulted in
the seizure of a quantity of Schedule II CDS (crack cocaine).
CNET agents advised that later in the evening, Douglas French
turned himself in to CNET Agent Adrian Malone at the Haynesville Police
Department. French was placed under arrest for three counts of distribution of
Schedule II CDS (cocaine) and also one count of possession with intent to
distribute Schedule II CDS (cocaine). French was later booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center with bond to be set by a judge.
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, Homer Police Chief Russell Mills and Haynesville
Police Chief Anthony Smith encourage the public to notify area law enforcement
agencies of any suspicious or illegal activity that is going on in their
neighborhoods.
Concerned
citizens can call CNET at 318-927-9800, the Homer Police Department at
318-927-4000, the Haynesville Police Department at 318-624-1355 or the
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-927-2011.
Any and
all information is considered confidential and is greatly appreciated.
Traffic stop nets drugs, weapon
The Guardian-Journal
On
September 12, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Harbour was patrolling
south on Hwy. 9 and observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed.
When
Harbour made contact with the driver, Albert S. Osgood, 33, of Junction City, Ark., and he revealed there was a 22 caliber rifle in his vehicle. While
retrieving the rifle, the deputy discovered a piece of aluminum foil with burnt
spots on it, flattened out inside a roll of paper towels. There was also some
methamphetamine in the truck in a white box on the dash; straws which contained
meth residue; a baggie in the driver’s door pocket containing meth residue and
a leather pouch on the passenger side of the truck which contained a brass tube
believed to have been used in smoking meth.
Deputy
Harbour transported Osgood to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and charged
him with speeding, possession with intent to distribute Schedule II CDS
(cocaine) third offense, illegal carrying of a firearm while in possession of
CDS and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bond is
to be set.
In a
separate incident on September 11, Harbour was patrolling and observed a
vehicle cross the center line of the roadway several times. Harbour checked the
license plate information and found it to be expired and stopped the vehicle.
The
driver, Robert Lovell Moore, 26, of El Dorado, Ark., also had an active traffic
warrant through the Claiborne Sheriff’s Office.
Harbour
searched the vehicle and found the door handle loose on the driver’s front
door. The deputy located a clear pill bottle which contained rock cocaine under
the window buttons.
Moore was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and booked for possession with intent to distribute Schedule II CDS (cocaine)
third offense, and driving on the right side of the road with bond to be set.
He also was served on a Homer Police Department warrant for failure to appear
with bond set at $1,000.
On that
same date, Deputy J.T. Williams observed a pickup truck swerving in the
roadway. Williams made contact with the driver and found him to be Christopher
Eric Barfoot, 18, of West Monroe.
Deputy
Roger Ellerbe arrived on scene to assist.
A
15-year-old white female passenger was in the vehicle also.
A
search of the vehicle revealed two marijuana cigarettes and two Zigzag papers
in the ash tray. A half burned marijuana cigarette was found on the floorboard
of the driver’s side and a clear cellophane bag with marijuana inside was found
in the console on the right side of the steering wheel.
Barfoot
was arrested and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. He was booked on charges of improper lane usage with bond set at $500, possession of Schedule
I CDS (marijuana) with bond set at $500 and possession of drug paraphernalia
with bond set at $500.
In
another case, on September 8, Deputies David Morgan, Roger Ellerbe and Aaron
Christian were in the Summerfield area attempting to serve a warrant. Deputies
noticed a green Toyota pickup parked on the shoulder of Hwy. 520 with only
parking lights on.
The
subject was found to be Roger Dean Hargett, 44, of El Dorado, Ark. Upon coming
in contact with Hargett, deputies discovered he had been drinking and he
admitted to deputies there was an open can of beer in the vehicle and a weapon
in the console.
Upon
search of the vehicle, deputies found a plastic baggy containing a green leafy
substance presumed to be marijuana and a 38 caliber revolver, loaded, in the
center console. There was a steel pipe containing a green leafy substance
(marijuana) under the driver’s seat and an open container of beer in the cup
holder.
Hargett
was placed under arrest and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. He was booked on charges of possession of marijuana with bond set at $500,
possession of drug paraphernalia with bond set at $500, illegal carrying of
weapons with bond set at $5,000 and open container with bond set at $500.
On
Tuesday, September 7, in another separate incident, Deputy Aaron Christian was
monitoring traffic and observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed.
Upon
coming in contact with the driver, Christian detected the odor of marijuana
coming from inside the vehicle.
Deputy
Roger Ellerbe arrived to assist.
A
passenger in the vehicle was found to be Brett Riley, 26, of Little Rock, Ark. Deputy Christian deployed his K-9 partner that alerted on the door seam on both sides
of the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted and on the passenger side
floorboard was a pill bottle containing a green leafy substance presumed to be
marijuana and a pack of cigarette rolling papers. In the center cup holder was
a hand-rolled cigar containing a green leafy substance presumed to be
marijuana.
Riley
claimed ownership of all items and was placed under arrest and transported to
the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
Riley
was charged with simple possession of marijuana with bond set at $500 and
possession of drug paraphernalia with bond set at $500.
Equipment catches fire
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
On Thursday morning, September 9, a case
skidder caught fire during operation in Athens just past the U.S. Post Office on Hwy. 805. According to Fire Chief Dennis Butcher, the cause of the fire
is yet undetermined. No injuries were reported. The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s
Office, the Homer Fire Department, Claiborne Parish Fire District #5 and the
Department of Forestry were on scene to aid in directing traffic and make sure
the flames didn’t spread. The equipment belongs to Carter Enterprises of Homer.
