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Deputies arrest Terrytown fire station holdup suspect

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Deputies arrest Terrytown fire station holdup suspect

February 26, 2018

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto this afternoon announced deputies arrested 26-year-old Sean Ulbrich of Belle Chasse in a burglary and armed robbery at a Terrytown fire station.

"At approximately 2:20 am on February 8, 2018, Ulbrich entered the fire station and removed a number of tools and other equipment," said sheriff's office spokesman Lt. Jason Rivarde in a statement. "While inside, he brandished a firearm and pointed it at a door leading to the living quarters inside the station, likely after hearing movement inside another room.  Our investigators processed the scene and were able to recover forensic evidence that led to the identification of Ulbrich."

Authorities say they arrested Ulbrich at his Belle Chasse home Friday. Sheriff's officials say that during the execution of a search warrant, deputies recovered some stolen equipment and two firearms.

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Money matters in the Jefferson Sheriff race

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Money matters in the Jefferson Sheriff race

March 5, 2018
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The man with the most money doesn't always win, but with only three weeks left in the heated Jefferson Parish Sheriffs race, the dollars are pouring in on both sides.

The latest numbers on donations show Joseph Lopinto with a war chest of more than one million dollars, and John Fortunato with more than $400,000

UNO pollster Ed Chervenak says it appear to be a close race for a highly sought after position.

"Yes, it is, it's a position that controls a huge budget, hundreds of millions dollars and also a large number of people,'' said Chervenak.

Chervenak says the public will be bombarded with TV and radio ads, yard signs and campaigning in the streets over the next three weeks.

''Political ads on television probably have the most reach, but also cost the most money,'' Chervenak added.

He expects both men to empty their accounts in an effort to drum up more voters in what appears to be close race.

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Advocate: Metairie clothing store robbed

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Advocate: Metairie clothing store robbed

March 7, 2018

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office is looking for two men who robbed a Metairie men's store, The New Orleans Advocate reported today.

According to deputies, two men armed with what was described as a "military-style" rifle robbed Jeff's Haberdashery on 17th Street at Severn Avenue.

No one was hurt. The robbers took high-end jeans, shirts, and shoes, then fled the scene.

Click here to read more from The New Orleans Advocate.

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Metairie man accused of stabbing parents, leading police on chase

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Metairie man accused of stabbing parents, leading police on chase

March 9, 2018

A 23-year-old Metairie man faces two counts of attempted second degree murder and other charges after sheriff's officials say he stabbed his mother and father and then led deputies on a chase early this morning. Travis Tyler also faces charges of batter on a police officer, resisting an office, and aggravated flight from an officer.

"Around 3:40 am this morning, March 9, 2018, JPSO deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 4600 block of Wilson Drive in Metairie in reference to a caller stating her neighbor had been stabbed.," said Lt. Jason Rivarde of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. "Responding deputies located two victims at the residence, a 62-year-old female and 59-year-old male, both suffering from multiple lacerations."

Rivarde says the victims identified their assailant as their son, and told investigators he had fled the residence in their vehicle. The sheriff's office says Tyler was found a short time in the vehicle, and fled when deputies tried to pull him over. Police caught up to him and arrested him a short time later.

"During interview, Tyler admitted to attacking his mother following a verbal altercation that began because she wanted him to be quiet, "said Rivarde. "After he attacked her, she retreated into her bedroom, where the his father was sleeping. After his father was awakened by the disturbance, Tyler attacked him also. He then fled the residence in his parents' vehicle."

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Lopinto, Fortunato in dead heat for sheriff of Jefferson

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Lopinto, Fortunato in dead heat for sheriff of Jefferson

March 13, 2018
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A new poll shows a tight race for sheriff in Jefferson Parish, with Joe Lopinto leading John Fortunato 41 to 39 percent. 

JMC Analytics did the survey for local real estate developer Henry Shane. They polled 880 voters Saturday. Lopinto's lead is within the poll's margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percent.

"Both men know that there's only one thing that counts at this point, and that is turnout, especially when the margin is so close in the poll," said political analyst Clancy DuBos. "Either man could win simply by getting his voters to remember to go vote on March 24th, or to go vote this week."

DuBos says he thinks this poll is a more accurate survey than the one last week giving Fortunato a double-digit lead. 

Nineteen percent are undecided, but among the undecided, 45 percent say they are leaning toward Lopinto, and 42 percent said they are leaning toward Fortunato.
 

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Could Mike Yenni influence JP sheriff race?

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Could Mike Yenni influence JP sheriff race?

March 14, 2018
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Could the parish president in Jefferson influence the sheriff's race, even without endorsing a candidate? Mike Yenni may have survived a recall effort, but allegations of a sexting relationship with a teenager may have left a permanent mark on him politically. 

In recent days, sheriff candidates Joe Lopinto and John Fortunato have been asked if they thought Yenni should have resigned when the scandal broke, and if they would support a Yenni reelection bid.

"I do believe he should have resigned, and I definitely wouldn't endorse him for another term," Lopinto told WWL-TV. "I believe that he's an ineffective leader. I don't believe that Jefferson Parish deserves a parish president that has been caught in that controversy."

Fortunato sees it differently. During a debate televised Sunday night on WDSU-TV, Fortunato answered "no" when asked if he thought Yenni should have resigned, and "yes" if he would support him for reelection.

The format of that particular segment didn't allow time for a follow-up. Fortunato was able to discuss his answers in an interview with WWL-TV.

"As the sheriff of Jefferson Parish I understand the importance of what it is to work with all parish government officials, whether it's the parish president or the parish council," Fortunato said, "So, I don't want an adversarial relationship."

But Fortunato said that isn't the same as an endorsement:

"I do not and will not ever endorse Mike Yenni for any election in Jefferson Parish," he stated.

"Didn't you say that night that you would?" WWL-TV's Eric Paulsen asked.

"I said that I would support Yenni," was Fortunato's answer.

The answer came as a surprise to political analyst Clancy DuBos.

"I think Fortunato's admission that he supports Mike Yenni is a bombshell," said DuBos. "Frankly, up until now, I thought Fortunato was doing a better job of campaigning, but that was a colossal blunder."

Yenni, via a spokesman, told WWL First News that he is not endorsing either candidate in the sheriff's race.
 

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Son accused of murdering Marrero mother

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Son accused of murdering Marrero mother

March 14, 2018

The son of a Marrero woman found dead in New Orleans East last fall now faces a murder charge. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says deputies arrested 44-year-old Byron Montgomery in the death of 63-year-old Patricia Davis.

"He's been charged with one count of second degree murder," said Sheriff Joe Lopinto this afternoon. "He has a history of domestic violence, not only to his girlfriend, but also to a previous conviction of second degree batter on his mother back in July of 2011."

The case cost a Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Sergeant Christopher Gai his job, for how he handled a possible domestic abuse incident days before the homicide. Despite hearing screams coming from the woman's home, Gai determined there was not probable cause to force entry. Lopinto said Gai later lied about what happened during an investigation into the 911 call, so he fired him.

Davis' body was found in New Orleans East, off Michoud Blvd., but Sheriff Lopinto says the evidence indicates her death took place in her Marrero home.
 

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Advocate: Lopinto acknowledges "mistake" in financial disclosure

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Advocate: Lopinto acknowledges "mistake" in financial disclosure

March 19, 2018
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Calling it an honest mistake, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto failed to disclose more than $37,000 in earnings as a state lawmaker in 2014, The New Orleans Advocate reports.

Lopinto's opponent in this Saturday's special election for Jefferson Parish Sheriff, John Fortunato, called it a violation of state ethics laws.

"His decision to not file accurate documents does not inspire confidence in his legal knowledge," Fortunato said in a news release from his campaign. "Either Joe Lopinto was a careless lawyer or an arrogant politician who didn’t regard the ethics laws as important."

Lopinto told The Advocate, "It looks like I made a mistake...It's not like I've ever hidden anything.

"Obviously, I made a salary as a state representative "

Click here to read more from The New Orleans Advocate.

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Suspect arrested in Baton Rouge for Metairie bank robbery

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Suspect arrested in Baton Rouge for Metairie bank robbery

March 22, 2018

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office today announced the arrest of a 58-year-old Metairie man in Monday morning's robbery of Gulf Coast Bank and Trust at 1825 Veterans Blvd. Andrew McCray faces two counts of armed robbery.

"McCray was identified as the suspect on Monday afternoon after the photographs of the suspect and suspect vehicle were released to local law enforcement," said sheriff's office spokesman Lt. Jason Rivarde in a news release. "A JPSO deputy who works in the same district as the robbery recognized McCray as an individual he had come into contact with during a prior call for service." 

Sheriff's office investigators, along with FBI agents and deputies from the U.S. Marshals Service in New Orleans tracked McCray to a Baton Rouge motel and arrested him lat last night, along with recovering a firearm and money believed to have been taken in the robbery, said Rivarde.
 

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Sheriff Lopinto hits the ground running

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Sheriff Lopinto hits the ground running

March 26, 2018
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Newly elected Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto is going full speed ahead after his victory.  It won't be long before he faces another election.   

That election comes up in just 18 month. Lopinto told WWL-TV he's taking a firm position on that.

''If I do my job right, the citizens of Jefferson Parish will keep me there, but if I don't, they will kick me out,'' said Lopinto

Will he continue to make appearances at crime scenes?

''You will, that's the person I am: I don't stop, I enjoy the work of the sheriff, I will be out on the scenes, there's no doubt about that,'' Lopinto said.

Lopinto says people in Jefferson Parish expect the sheriffs department to keep them safe, and he says that is his main pledge.
 

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Probation for ex-Louisiana deputy guilty of tax evasion

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Probation for ex-Louisiana deputy guilty of tax evasion

April 4, 2018
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(AP) _ The former chief deputy of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's office has been sentenced to five years of probation following his January conviction in a federal tax case.  

Taffaro was sentenced today.    

Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of 27 to 33 months, saying incarceration serves as a deterrent to would-be tax evaders. Taffaro's attorney argued for leniency. He noted the 70-year-old Taffaro's lack of prior offenses, his charitable work and a distinguished law enforcement career.  

Taffaro was convicted on 12 counts, including tax evasion and filing false returns. Prosecutors say he provided false information about his income and expenses from a business he co-owned with former Sheriff Newell Normand, who was not accused of wrongdoing.  

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Gun in backpack causes East Jeff lockdown

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Gun in backpack causes East Jeff lockdown

May 18, 2018
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Some scary moments this afternoon at East Jefferson High School in Metairie, when a report of an armed student caused the school to go in to lockdown.

The school sent this automated message this afternoon:

Around dismissal time, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office says they received the report of a student on campus with a gun. Deputies say when they located the student, the student tried to run, prompting the lockdown.

Deputies located the student a short time later and authorities say a small-caliber handgun was recovered from the student's back pack. They arrested 17-year-old Liroy Friloux on charges of possession of a firearm on school grounds, possession of a stolen firearm, and resisting arrest.

The sheriff's office says no shots were fired, and everyone is safe.

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JP Sheriff: Husband fatally wounds man who killed wife, other victim

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JP Sheriff: Husband fatally wounds man who killed wife, other victim

May 19, 2018

A "minor property dispute" ended with two women shot to death, and their killer dying at the hands of the husband of one of the dead women, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's officials say today.

The sheriff's office says shortly after 9:00 p.m. Friday, 44-year-old Christopher Pike and his girlfriend, 43-year-old Melissa Baous arrived at the home of Tonia Billiot Dardar, 44, in the 7800 block of Barataria Boulevard. Sheriff's officials say there was an attempt to "resolve a minor property dispute." Investigators say that dispute got out of hand and ended with Pike shooting both Dardar and his girlfriend, Baous, killing them.

"In the aftermath, Tonia Dardar's husband returned to the residence, encountered Pike and exchanged gunfire," said Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman Glen Boyd. "During this exchange, Pike sustained wounds which proved fatal on scene."

The sheriff's office says Joseph Dardar cooperated with investigators, and his account of events is consistent with the evidence collected at the crime scene. Investigators released Dardar, pending further investigation in the ongoing case.
 

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JPSO: Man enters home without permission, is shot dead

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JPSO: Man enters home without permission, is shot dead

May 30, 2018

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office homicide detectives are investigating a fatal shooting. It happened early this morning in the 400 block of Maple Ave. in Harvey.

"A 66-year-old Harvey resident, was shot after entering an acquaintance’s residence without permission at about 6:00am," said Lt. Jason Rivarde, Public Information Officer for the sheriff's office. "The decedent is believed to have brandished a firearm while engaged in an altercation with the homeowner."

Rivarde says the man was shot during the struggle, and additional information is being withheld as the investigation continues.
 

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Louisiana gymnastics coach accused of sexually abusing at least 6 kids

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Louisiana gymnastics coach accused of sexually abusing at least 6 kids

June 8, 2018

NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ A gymnastics coach in Luling has been accused of sexually abusing at least six children.
  
26-year-old Jonathan West is now charged with multiple counts of sexual battery and indecent behavior in two parishes. 

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office charged West last week. Authorities announced Thursday that he's also being charged by the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office.
  
Deputies believe the abuse went on for years. Court records show the Flipnastics coach was accused of raping a woman in 2011 and sexually abusing a toddler in 2012. Neither accusation led to an indictment or trial. 

Kenner Police Department spokesman Lt. Brian McGregor says the latter case will be reviewed in light of the recent allegations.  

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Could Mike Yenni influence JP sheriff race?

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Could Mike Yenni influence JP sheriff race?

March 14, 2018
Categories: 

Could the parish president in Jefferson influence the sheriff's race, even without endorsing a candidate? Mike Yenni may have survived a recall effort, but allegations of a sexting relationship with a teenager may have left a permanent mark on him politically. 

In recent days, sheriff candidates Joe Lopinto and John Fortunato have been asked if they thought Yenni should have resigned when the scandal broke, and if they would support a Yenni reelection bid.

"I do believe he should have resigned, and I definitely wouldn't endorse him for another term," Lopinto told WWL-TV. "I believe that he's an ineffective leader. I don't believe that Jefferson Parish deserves a parish president that has been caught in that controversy."

Fortunato sees it differently. During a debate televised Sunday night on WDSU-TV, Fortunato answered "no" when asked if he thought Yenni should have resigned, and "yes" if he would support him for reelection.

The format of that particular segment didn't allow time for a follow-up. Fortunato was able to discuss his answers in an interview with WWL-TV.

"As the sheriff of Jefferson Parish I understand the importance of what it is to work with all parish government officials, whether it's the parish president or the parish council," Fortunato said, "So, I don't want an adversarial relationship."

But Fortunato said that isn't the same as an endorsement:

"I do not and will not ever endorse Mike Yenni for any election in Jefferson Parish," he stated.

"Didn't you say that night that you would?" WWL-TV's Eric Paulsen asked.

"I said that I would support Yenni," was Fortunato's answer.

The answer came as a surprise to political analyst Clancy DuBos.

"I think Fortunato's admission that he supports Mike Yenni is a bombshell," said DuBos. "Frankly, up until now, I thought Fortunato was doing a better job of campaigning, but that was a colossal blunder."

Yenni, via a spokesman, told WWL First News that he is not endorsing either candidate in the sheriff's race.
 

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Son accused of murdering Marrero mother

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Son accused of murdering Marrero mother

March 14, 2018

The son of a Marrero woman found dead in New Orleans East last fall now faces a murder charge. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says deputies arrested 44-year-old Byron Montgomery in the death of 63-year-old Patricia Davis.

"He's been charged with one count of second degree murder," said Sheriff Joe Lopinto this afternoon. "He has a history of domestic violence, not only to his girlfriend, but also to a previous conviction of second degree batter on his mother back in July of 2011."

The case cost a Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Sergeant Christopher Gai his job, for how he handled a possible domestic abuse incident days before the homicide. Despite hearing screams coming from the woman's home, Gai determined there was not probable cause to force entry. Lopinto said Gai later lied about what happened during an investigation into the 911 call, so he fired him.

Davis' body was found in New Orleans East, off Michoud Blvd., but Sheriff Lopinto says the evidence indicates her death took place in her Marrero home.
 

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Advocate: Lopinto acknowledges "mistake" in financial disclosure

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Advocate: Lopinto acknowledges "mistake" in financial disclosure

March 19, 2018
Categories: 

Calling it an honest mistake, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto failed to disclose more than $37,000 in earnings as a state lawmaker in 2014, The New Orleans Advocate reports.

Lopinto's opponent in this Saturday's special election for Jefferson Parish Sheriff, John Fortunato, called it a violation of state ethics laws.

"His decision to not file accurate documents does not inspire confidence in his legal knowledge," Fortunato said in a news release from his campaign. "Either Joe Lopinto was a careless lawyer or an arrogant politician who didn’t regard the ethics laws as important."

Lopinto told The Advocate, "It looks like I made a mistake...It's not like I've ever hidden anything.

"Obviously, I made a salary as a state representative "

Click here to read more from The New Orleans Advocate.

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Suspect arrested in Baton Rouge for Metairie bank robbery

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Suspect arrested in Baton Rouge for Metairie bank robbery

March 22, 2018

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office today announced the arrest of a 58-year-old Metairie man in Monday morning's robbery of Gulf Coast Bank and Trust at 1825 Veterans Blvd. Andrew McCray faces two counts of armed robbery.

"McCray was identified as the suspect on Monday afternoon after the photographs of the suspect and suspect vehicle were released to local law enforcement," said sheriff's office spokesman Lt. Jason Rivarde in a news release. "A JPSO deputy who works in the same district as the robbery recognized McCray as an individual he had come into contact with during a prior call for service." 

Sheriff's office investigators, along with FBI agents and deputies from the U.S. Marshals Service in New Orleans tracked McCray to a Baton Rouge motel and arrested him lat last night, along with recovering a firearm and money believed to have been taken in the robbery, said Rivarde.
 

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Sheriff Lopinto hits the ground running

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Sheriff Lopinto hits the ground running

March 26, 2018
Categories: 

Newly elected Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto is going full speed ahead after his victory.  It won't be long before he faces another election.   

That election comes up in just 18 month. Lopinto told WWL-TV he's taking a firm position on that.

''If I do my job right, the citizens of Jefferson Parish will keep me there, but if I don't, they will kick me out,'' said Lopinto

Will he continue to make appearances at crime scenes?

''You will, that's the person I am: I don't stop, I enjoy the work of the sheriff, I will be out on the scenes, there's no doubt about that,'' Lopinto said.

Lopinto says people in Jefferson Parish expect the sheriffs department to keep them safe, and he says that is his main pledge.
 

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