Fugitive sweep nabs 32

Sheriff's office takes part in national roundup

During a weeklong nationwide fugitive roundup, St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office arrested 32 wanted individuals during a spree police officials designed to capture at-large individuals locally and nationally.

In addition to the parish police, U.S. Marshals assisted in “Operation Falcon II.”

“We are happy to arrest these individuals, all of whom are wanted for fairly serious crimes,” said Sheriff Greg Champange, remarking on the success of the initiative.

Several fugitives were wanted on major crimes. Charles Baloney, 18, Luling, and Michael Harris, 29, Boutte, were wanted for unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling and aggravated assault. Kenneth Poole, 21, Ama, was wanted for battery on a police officer and inciting a riot, along with numerous other charges

Noting that some fugitives were wanted from adjacent parishes, Champange said, "Hurricane Katrina has shuffled the criminal deck," adding, "Parish boundaries don't mean anything anymore."

Nationwide the sting netted 9,037 wanted individuals, and the operation was conducted in 27 states and was dedicated to National Crime Victim's Right Week, which falls on the following week.

"I think it sends a message out to the criminals of St. Charles Parish that we will come after you," said Champagne.

Others picked up were Michael Combs, 29, Norco, possession of narcotics; Lamar Washington, 25, Norco, carjacking and simple battery; Anthony White, 19, Boutte, possession of cocaine; Sammy Ingram, 23, Boutte, aggravated battery; Kenneth Simmons, 43, distribution of marijuana and cocaine; Travis White, 22, Killona, simple criminal damage; Michael Williams, 20, Kenner, battery of an police officer, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; Lenoid Boyd, 23, Des Allemands, failure to comply with the conditions of parole; Randy Billings, 23, New Sarpy, possession of marijuana and illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of juvenile; Randall Falgout, 45, New Sarpy, child support, suspended driver's license, hit and run; Nathan Scot, 43, New Sarpy, D.W.I, battery and resisting an officer; Khris Pfister, 20, St. Rose, possession of crack cocaine and speeding; Derrick Paul, 30, Des Allemands, fugitive from St. John Sheriff's Office; Juan Paredes, 21, Destrehan, failure to comply with probation; Brett Pelot, 18, possession of crack cocaine; Neil Llewellyn, 50, New Sarpy, possession of drug paraphernalia and fugitive from St. John's Sheriff's Office; Sterling Labranch, 34, Boutte, child support; Roosevelt Ingram, 27, Boutte, oral sexual battery and unauthorized entry; Jason Coffey, 22, Kenner, possession of narcotics; Melissa Fairrow, 25, issuing worthless checks; Monica Bychurch, 43, Luling, traffic violations; Paige Fuentes, 42, Kenner, fugitive from Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office; Dick Griffin, 54, Boutte, possession of crack cocaine and marijuana; Steve Hill, 46, Boutte, suspended driver's license; Ronald Hooter, 37, St. Rose, failure to comply with probation.