Eight arrested for iron theft

Claiborne scrap yard takes another hit in theft case

BONNIE CULVERHOUSE, Special to The Guardian-Journal

A close-knit family and some friends have gone from allegedly stealing iron weights to sitting behind iron bars.

Over the course of nine months, Webster Parish Sheriff’s detectives have solved a rash of oil and gas well iron thefts that span five parishes and two counties in Arkansas.

Andrew Stiles, 39, of the 100 block of Kirby Place, has been charged with several counts of felony theft of oil and gas equipment, four counts of criminal trespassing, one count of illegal possession of stolen things and one count of felony possession of CDS Sch. I (marijuana).

Traci Savage Stiles is charged with theft of oil and gas equipment, conspiracy to commit theft of oil and gas equipment and illegal possession of stolen things over $500.

Charged with one count of theft of oil and gas equipment and one count of criminal conspiracy are Ryan Scott Savage, Austin Chase Stiles, Levi Dance, Kelvin Parker, Joshua Malham and one unidentified juvenile.

Dance and Malham also have charges of simple theft and criminal damage to property.

Det. Scott Tucker said Andrew Stiles, a saltwater truck driver for an oilfield service company, has been traveling to oil well locations, using GPS (Global Positioning System) in his cell phone for directions and stealing iron from oil well and railroad sites and selling it for scrap.

“We’ve known this was going on since last April,”  Tucker said. “But it all started breaking loose when we got a call at the end of December from an oil company, saying someone had damaged one of their stand-by units.”

Tucker said deputies took a report and began looking for metal that had been removed from the site.

“Three or four days later, the person who stole it came back to the same location and cut up a $25,000 pump unit,” Tucker said. “This time, they left some evidence there. When they came back a third time, through surveillance, we were able to identify some of the people.”

On January 4, deputies reportedly initiated a traffic stop on Goodwill Street in Minden that led to the arrest of Traci Stiles, Ryan Savage and Austin Stiles.

“We got the truck and trailer they had been using to steal the iron,” Tucker said.

Detectives learned that Andrew Stiles, the prime suspect, was arrested on January 3 in Bienville Parish for attempting to steal a car to sell for scrap.

“We interviewed Stiles that night, and he admitted to cutting up a well in Cotton Valley,” said Det. T.D. Kemp. “But we’ve been accumulating these cases since April, and he denied knowing anything about those.”

Tucker said the next step was to round up the suspects they had observed in surveillance – Dance, Malham and the juvenile.

“Then we arrested Kelvin Parker,” he said. “They all pointed the finger at Andrew Stiles.”

The suspects told detectives that Andrew Stiles had told them to go back to the last location and get some of the iron counterweights he had left at the site.

“Those counterweights weigh between 300 and 800 pounds,” Kemp said. “Andrew admitted he took 11,000 pounds of scrap iron to a scrapyard in Homer and made about $400 off a $25,000 unit.”

Suspects reportedly took the detectives to several sites, including Sibley, Porterville (between Sarepta and Cullen) into south Bossier Parish, south Arkansas and Claiborne and Jackson parishes.

“The well in Sibley was online,” Kemp said. “They turned it off, then stole a counterweight off each side of the pump, so it wouldn’t be off balance.”

Detectives said the crew used a winch, truck and trailer to move the heavy equipment.

“We found drag marks on the ground in several locations,” said Kemp.

In addition to the oil field equipment, detectives said the group stole railroad car doors.

Detectives said they are unsure how much the total amount of theft and damage will be when their investigation is finished. They are convinced there are other sites and thefts yet unidentified.

“Just here in Webster, we’re probably pushing eight to 10 cases, mounting up to $150,000- to $200,000-worth,” Tucker said.

Everything of which they are aware was sold to the same scrapyard in Homer.

“We’re currently looking into why law enforcement wasn’t notified (by the scrapyard owners) when this amount of oil field and railroad equipment was brought there,” Tucker said. “We’re still investigating that.”

Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey said his criminal investigators are also looking into several cases around the parish in which various metals and oilfield equipment has been sold to a local scrap yard.

“We’ve had several calls of stolen items being taken to a scrapyard, and some we’ve made arrests on and some we haven’t,” he said.

Bailey did not release any more information, except to say they still have several ongoing investigations that are not related to this specific case.

Webster Parish Sheriff Gary Sexton said his detectives spent several months on this case.

“It wasn’t an easy case to solve,” Sexton said. “They did a good job.”

Not only was it difficult, Tucker said it was dangerous for the ones stealing the iron and nearby residents.

“Some of these wells are pretty close to houses,” he said. “Natural gas is coming out of the ground ... it’s odorless. These people were going up there with cutting torches and electric winches – pulling on stuff at well locations.”

Andrew Stiles was taken to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center, where he briefly joined his comrades before going back to Bienville Parish.

His bonds alone total $225,000.

‘Get on Board with Claiborne Parish’

2012 Chamber Banquet promotes parish with stories

The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle Bates

The 2012 Claiborne Chamber of Commerce promoted the parish in a unique way by telling stories of people and events from Claiborne Parish. As the evening’s entertainment, the Jubilee Players entertained those in attendance with a play. Pictured above are the 2012 Chamber Board members. In no particular order, they are: Lisa Ledbetter, president, J.T. Taylor, vice president, Mary Ellen Gamble, secretary, Dwayne Woodard, treasurer, Janell Brown, Chick Hines, Kendra Linder Palmer, O.P. “Pete” Pearson, Steven J. Koskie, Cynthia Steele, Galen White, Grant Killgore, Dan Ware and Wade Holloway. A special thanks goes to the Chamber banquet committee: Ledbetter, Nicole Sanders Ware and Steele. Please see page 5 for more from this year’s fun-filled banquet!

Patrick Gladney, right, and Jim Norcross, left, have a conversation during the play put on by the Jubilee Players at Monday night’s Claiborne Chamber Banquet. The event was a huge success.

As Gladney and Norcross watch this scene play out, Kathy Hightower tries to get her “father”, played by John McClelland, as he waits for a deer to cross the back yard.

Men surrender to police

The Guardian-Journal

Two more arrests have been made in a case which stemmed from a fight where a Homer man was allegedly beaten up.

Lemario Harris, 24, of Homer, turned himself into Homer authorities on Wednesday, January 25, on charges of aggravated second degree battery. Bond was set at $25,000.

Another Homer man, Demarcus Johnson, 24, turned himself into Homer authorities on Sunday, January 29, as well on second degree battery charges. Bond was set at $5,000.

Homer Police were dispatched to the 900 block of Hudd Drive in reference to a fight on the night of December 31, 2011. When officers arrived on scene, they were met in the parking lot area by the victim, Scott Richardson and two others who say Johnson, Harris and Desean De Undre Dunn had attacked Richardson.

Police say that upon arrival, they could see Richardson had physical injuries to his face.

According to reports, witnesses say Harris used what appeared to be brass knuckles and struck Richardson in the face. Johnson was said to have begun the physical altercation when he and Richardson began arguing. Dunn was reported to have struck Richardson in the face with a handgun as well as kicking Richardson during the altercation.

Dunn was arrested on Friday, January 6 on an aggravated second degree battery charge.

In a separate incident, Ramon C. Henderson, 22, of Homer, was arrested on several charges after a traffic stop turned sour.

According to reports, Homer Police Officer Scott Glenn observed a vehicle traveling eastbound on Pearl Street run a stop sign. Glenn conducted a traffic stop, and when the vehicle stopped, Glenn reportedly saw the driver, later identified as Henderson, throw a clear plastic baggie out onto the ground.

Glenn made contact with Henderson and asked him to exit the vehicle. When Henderson did as he was asked, he allegedly kicked the clear plastic baggie underneath the car. At that time, Glenn detained Henderson and retrieved the baggie from underneath the car, at which time, the officer discovered the baggie contained a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana.

Henderson was charged with failure to obey a stop/yield sign with bond set at $500, simple possession of marijuana with bond set at $500, resisting an officer (for reportedly refusing to give his name) with bond set at $500, no insurance with bond set at $500, no motor vehicle inspection with bond set at $500, expired license plate with bond set at $500, and driving under suspension with bond set at $500.

Trash Bash this Saturday!

The Homer Clean City Committee’s Trash Bash will be held this Saturday, February 4, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., beginning at Oil Mill Road, between the old cotton warehouses and housing apartments.

This is available to Homer citizens only, and please be prepared to show ID.

Metal and white goods (refrigerators and washing machines, etc.) and regular trash accepted. No limbs accepted unless bundled in 6 foot long pieces.

For more information, please call 318-927-3271 or 318-927-2342.

Haynesville Rummage Sale this Saturday

A community-wide rummage sale is set for Saturday, February 4, from 7 a.m. until noon.

Sponsored by the Citizens Advisory Committee in Haynesville, Bob McDaniel, CAC member, said anyone interested in donating items for the sale may do so by dropping them off at the Claiborne Parish Fair Complex on Friday, February 3, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Also, Carla Smith, owner of Carla’s Cut N’ Curl, said smaller items could be dropped off there. For those who have larger items to donate, Haynesville Mayor Sherman Brown said to call City Hall.

Vendor booths are also still available to anyone for $15, payable to the Town of Haynesville. Please make payments at Haynesville City Hall and please note “booth space” in the memo section if paying with a check.

In conjunction with the rummage sale, a bake sale will be going on as well. For questions or to donate to the bake sale, please contact Linda Knox at 318-624-1606. For questions or more information about the rummage sale, please call Brown at City Hall at 318-624-0911 or Martha Trinko at 318-624-0074.

Proceeds this year will be used for this year’s Christmas Fireworks Display and other special town projects.

Reward offered in cemetery vandalism case

The Guardian-Journal

A $500 reward is being offered to anyone with information leading to the arrest or arrests of those responsible for vandalizing several tombstones at Macedonia Cemetery in southern Claiborne Parish.

According to Mattie Mosely, a member of the Macedonia Cemetery Association, the cemetery was vandalized twice in the month of January, first on New Year’s weekend and again during the weekend of January 13-15.

Both times, the cemetery gate was torn down, tall tombstones dating from the late 1800s to the early 1900s were knocked over, other tombstones were spray painted and flower arrangements were apparently set on fire.

Macedonia is one of the oldest cemeteries in Claiborne Parish, and some graves date back to the early 1800s with markers made from local ironstone. Many local families have ancestors going back several generations buried at the cemetery.

Macedonia Baptist Church was located across the road from the cemetery for more than 100 years until it was burned to the ground by arsonists in 1994, according to a press release. A memorial plaque marks where the church was.

The cemetery is located about eight miles north of Arcadia on a road between Hwys. 533 and 151.

Again, a $500 reward is being offered by the Macedonia Cemetery Association. If anyone has any information relating to this terrible incident, please call the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-927-2011 or 318-927-9800.

Where will Sparta stand in new state plan?

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

With the state’s groundwater management plan in the works, Sparta Commission members are wondering where they will stand when the plan is implemented under the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.

Ted McKinney, Sparta Groundwater Commissioner, attended the Groundwater Resources Commission meeting held in Baton Rouge on January 19-20, and he was named as the facilitator for the Collaboration Committee, which he says puts the Sparta Commission in the forefront of pulling people together to give input on the state’s groundwater management plan.

However, he had questions regarding the whole thing, because there are some questions as to how the Sparta Commission was formed and how it is seen through the state’s eyes. According to the revised statutes of Louisiana law, the Sparta Commission was formed as a political subdivision, which means it was created by the Louisiana Legislature, the same as the Capital Area Groundwater Conservation Commission (CAGWCC). But, according to the same statutes, the Sparta Commission does not have the same authority as CAGWCC. Where the Capital Commission has the authority to issue permits, charge fees, and issue fines, the Sparta Commission has no such authority.

“The key issue that I was concerned about is what authority would these districts have and what would happen to the Sparta Commission,” McKinney said.

And as McKinney leads the Collaboration Committee for the state groundwater management plan, what exactly does this give them the authority to do? It comes down to the difference in definitions of a “political subdivision” of the state and a “regional body”.

According to John Adams, of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation’s Environmental Division, a “regional body” is authorized under LA RS 38:3097.4 (D)(5), which states, “The commission may direct the commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations for the appointment or designation of up to five regional bodies based on the general location of major aquifer systems and water sources of the state and composed of local stakeholders who are representative of current users. Such bodies may gather data and provide local input to the commission and the commissioner.”

“On the other hand, a district, like the Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District, is a political subdivision established by the legislature and may or may not be purely advisory,” Adams said. “As such, only the legislature can speak to the creation of state water districts as well as related state funding matters.”

Evidently, in the email correspondence between Adams and McKinney, Adams did not understand that the Sparta Commission, like CAGWCC, is a political subdivision and not a regional body.

According to the Sparta Commission’s bylaws, RS 38:§3087.132(A), “The Sparta Groundwater Conservation District is hereby established as a political subdivision of the state.”

And as a political subdivision, commission members believe they should have the same authority as the CAGWCC, and they’ve fought for it for nearly 10 years. There is also some fear that the Sparta Commission would be dissolved if the plan goes with the five districts idea they want to do.

“The DNR can’t diminish the Sparta,” McKinney said. “This was one little issue that disturbed me to the extent that I’m telling you that we need to be very  on our toes and make sure that we understand it to the extent that I think this commission should write a letter to (DNR Secretary Scott) Angelle saying don’t diminish our authority in any form or fashion.”

According to James Couvillion, who has worked closely with former Sparta Commission member Phillip Lane, if the five districts plan were to go through, the idea is that the Sparta Commission would be taken over in the 16-parish district.

The issue here is that the DNR can’t take away the commission’s legislative powers and has no authority to absorb the Sparta Commission. The Louisiana Legislature is the only state entity that has the authority to change or add any authority to the Sparta Commission. That means it’s likely that the commission will stay just exactly as it is, an educational arm of water conservation efforts.

So, McKinney recommended the Sparta Commission write a letter to DNR while the groundwater management plan is in the works to not diminish the Sparta Commission and the role it plays. It was approved with a unanimous vote.

In a separate interview with District 33 Sen. Mike Walsworth (R-West Monroe), he said when the Sparta Commission was originally formed, the legislature did not want the commission to have any more authority than it does now, citing mainly taxing authority issues. Instead, he feels the Sparta Commission is already doing a world of good in its strong efforts to educate the region on the Sparta Aquifer and water conservation. He also said that he, along with other legislators, will continue to look for avenues to bring in more funding.

“I’m going to try to find them more monies for their education efforts,” he said, “because I think it’s worked and it’s worthwhile. Are we where we want it to be? No, but I think we’re better off now than we were 10 years ago.”

Rick Hohlt, Sparta Commission member, said their education efforts are beginning to pay off, with the implementation of their Waterfest coming soon to Webster Parish. Lindsay Gouedy, Sparta educator, said in her report they are also working on a Sparta 5k run in the spring. And over the next few weeks, she will be in Ouachita Parish at least two to three days a week with fifth grade classses.

However, right now, the main focus is on seeking grants to help fund these important educational endeavors. Hohlt said through the Sparta Foundation, of which he is executive director, they are currently seeking a USDA Rural Development grant for $100,000 specifically to use for education in the Sparta region.

And on the state groundwater management plan, he hopes to see something substantive soon. Right now, with the plan still in the works, the Sparta Commission sits and awaits word on the role they will play while continuing their efforts in Sparta and water conservation.

“Our hope is that if Louisiana can get a plan, then we have a direction to go,” Hohlt said.

The next meeting of the Sparta Commission is set to be on April 19, in the Union Parish Courthouse Annex, 303 E. Water Street in Farmerville.

Hospital offers cancer patient support group

Homer Memorial Hospital partnering with the Rural Hospital Coalition and Feist-Weiller Cancer Center at LSU Shreveport is offering a new program that provides support for cancer patients.

This program is funded by a federal grant and will provide group therapy for cancer patients.

The sessions will be from 4-5 pm on the second Thursday of each month at Homer Memorial Hospital.  These sessions will be led by an experienced therapist from the cancer center and will be free of charge. The next session is February 9, 2012.

When first diagnosed, cancer patients’ lives are thrown into a whirlwind of information, decisions and emotions.

These sessions will give cancer patients the opportunity to talk about their lives, to learn how to cope with a potentially life-threatening illness, and to receive help from, and to give help to others who truly understand the daily challenges of living with cancer.

The goals of the cancer support groups are:

1)         Building bonds.

2)         Expressing emotions.

3)         Detoxifying death and dying.

4)         Redefining life priorities.

5)         Increasing the support of families and friends.

6)         Improving the doctor-patient relationship.

7)         Improving coping skills.

Patients from Homer and several other rural locations will join with the professionals at the cancer center in Shreveport through the use of tele-conferencing equipment at Homer Memorial Hospital to participate in this unique cancer therapy session without having to drive to Shreveport.

Call Adrienne Willis at (318) 927-1400 to schedule an appointment.  Remember there is no charge.

Claiborne quilt square part of 200th birthday celebration

Claiborne Parish Quilt Square

Happy 200th Birthday Louisiana!!!!  In an effort to celebrate the Bicentennial of Louisiana’s statehood, April 12, 1812, the Louisiana State Archives is planning many wonderful activities to share with Louisiana statewide throughout 2012.  It is through a partnership between the Secretary of State, Tom Schedler, the Louisiana State Archives and the Louisiana Police Jury Association,  that a quilt entitled “Stitch By Stitch”, Binding Together 200 Years of Louisiana’s History”.  The design of this quilt will consist of a center medallion featuring the Louisiana State Archives with Parish squares assembled In columns flanked with borders of blue and gold.  The unveiling and presentation of this quilt will be April 2012, (date to be determined), during a month’s long celebration of Louisiana’s 200th Birthday!  The quilt will be housed at the State Archives and then rotated to each parish, at a time to be determined, so that it is also shared with and enjoyed by each parish’s citizens.

The Police Jury of Claiborne commissioned Teresa McDaniel to coordinate the design and needle crafting of the square for Claiborne Parish.   The square depicts the outstanding features of Claiborne Parish and was submitted by the deadline of January 15th, 2012. If you have any questions regarding this quilt square please contact Teresa McDaniel at or Dawn Abraham, State Archives Education Specialist at . 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, La 70809.

The date the quilt will be in Claiborne Parish will be noted in the local newspapers.

Claiborne Parish tourism initiative is underway

JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer

The Claiborne Chamber of Commerce has put together an assortment of materials to highlight where to go and what to do and see in Claiborne Parish. “Whether you’re a visitor or a local resident, Claiborne Parish has a driving tour CD set that you will find interesting,” says John Watson, Executive Director of the Chamber.

“The CD is one part of a major initiative aimed at helping others see and appreciate what is wonderful about Claiborne Parish,” Watson notes.

Asked what else is a part of the initiative, Watson explains that a colorful tourism brochure has been prepared. In addition,  there is a new website www.claiborneparishtourism.org.

Also, a cemetery brochure includes a map of the parish with the locations of 156 cemeteries in the parish or within a few miles of the parish line.

Finally, television ads have appeared describing Claiborne Parish as a desirable tourist destination.

Describing the tourism brochure, Watson says it highlights points of interest in Homer, Haynesville, Athens, Lisbon, Summerfield, and other areas of Claiborne Parish. It points out that 10 buildings in the parish are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The brochure includes pictures of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse, Herbert S. Ford Museum, Lisbon’s Killgore House, the mural on the west wall of Haynesville’s Killgore Pharmacy,  Homer’s Old Town Cemetery, the Hill Farm, Summerfield’s Alberry Wasson House, and Lake Claiborne.

The cover of the “Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, Cemetery Guide” notes that it is intended to be “A guide to finding the resting places of your ancestors.” A brief description gives directions for each of the 156 cemeteries There is also a map in the brochure marking the approximate location of each.

The new tourism website, www.claiborneparishtourism.org, describes Lake Claiborne State Park and lists local lodging such as Panther Creek Bed and Breakfast at Summerfield and Lake Claiborne Vacation Cottage on Harmon Loop.

The website describes “eateries” such as the Rebel Stop and Moon’s toward Summerfield, Port-au-Prince on Lake Claiborne, Sunrise Bakery and Restaurant and Homer Seafood and Pizza as well as Yesterday’s Grill in Haynesville.

Highlights related to Homer, Haynesville, Lisbon, Athens, Summerfield, and the parish’s historic cemeteries are all mentioned on the website.

Some parish events are plugged including the Butterfly Festival, the Claiborne Jubilee, the 4th of July Fireworks and Boat Parade, Lake Claiborne Antique Auto and Bike Show, and the Christmas Festival.

The set consists of two CDs with 41 tracks of information highlighting areas of interest around the parish. For only $3 visitors or local residents can learn things about Claiborne Parish that’s not in the history books, stories passed down from grandparents to grandchildren that has become the stuff of local legend and lore.

Of course, the internet website is free as is the tourism brochure. With the cemetery guide available for $1 and the driving CD sets for $3, the whole tourism package is available for $4, a token cost to cover expenses of production.

Many local citizens donated many hours to the brochures, the cemetery guide, the driving CDs, and the website.

Brochures and CD sets are available at the following locations:

* The Grapevine

* The Raven Bookstore

* Port-au-Prince Restaurant

* Killgore Pharmacy

* The Rebel Stop

* Claiborne Parish Library

* Delta Interiors

* The Chamber Office at Ford Museum

Brochures only are available at the following:

* Courtyard Florist

* Lake Claiborne State Park

* Haynesville City Hall

* The Guardian-Journal

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