The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office says it is investigating to see if any laws or procedures were violated in an incident involving deputies that was caught on video during Friday night's Krewe of Centurion parade.

According to the sheriff's office, deputies were called to a disturbance in the Lakeside parking garage at Kenneth and Severn. 

"A group of 15-20 males were reported to be fighting in the area," said Capt. Jason Rivarde, a sheriff's office spokesman. "Responding deputies located the altercation and one person, later identified as a 24-year-old Kenner man, was arrested for fighting in public and transported to a local hospital and treated for injuries suffered prior to police involvement."

The sheriff's office says an additional arrest was made after that incident, the end of which the sheriff's office says was caught on video.

man just recording got assualted and arrested for nothing pic.twitter.com/Ef3z2WVfAI

— Chubbs-- (@Jiggles02) March 2, 2019

"Man just recording got assaulted and arrested for nothing," reads the tweet, which shows video of deputies talking to a man who was standing at the barricade, holding his phone up to them. As one deputy gestures at the man, another deputy smacks the phone from the man's hands and walks away, making an obscene gesture. The man who was holding the phone returns the gesture toward the deputy, at which point other deputies haul the man to the ground.

"The male arrested in the video has been identified as Jacobi Cage, 20, of Laplace," said Rivarde. "Cage was arrested for disturbing the peace, resisting an officer, and battery on a police officer. He was booked and released last night at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center."

Rivarde says the actions caught on video are also being investigated.

"We are aware of the posted video and are investigating it," said Rivarde. "If violations of law or policy are determined to have occurred, we will enforce appropriate disciplinary measures."

An autopsy is set for today on three murder victims recovered from a Westbank home on Wednesday. One man is in custody and Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the suspect confessed.

Deputies found the bodies of one adult woman and two children in the home in the 900 block of Montery Court West in Terrytown. Two other children were taken to the hospital in critical condition.

"We were all joking and stuff last night, and we were going to ride horses today," said Emmett Rhodes Wednesday, who told WWL-TV he is the father and grandfather of the three murder victims. "I'm hurting right now."

Lopinto said the victims appeared to have suffered blunt trauma. Authorities have not released the name of the suspect, nor have they discussed possible motive

A fourth victim in last week's hammer attack on Monterrey Court in Terrytown has died. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office says 14-year-old Nashawna Riley was removed from life support and died this morning, after being declared brain dead earlier in the week.

The suspect, 33-year-old Terrance Leonard, will be booked with an additional count of first degree murder.

The fifth victim in the attack is in stable condition at a local hospital.

The sheriff's office says Leonard admitted attacking the children and niece of his girlfriend, 32-year-old Kristina Riley, with a hammer as they slept. According to authorities, Leonard hid the bodies of the two children he killed in the initial attack in a closet so as not to arouse his girlfriend's suspicion when she returned home early in the morning of March 6. Detectives say when Kristina Riley arrived, Leonard attacked and killed her.
 

Police are investigating a homicide in Metairie Thursday night.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputies were called to the 1200 block of Howard Avenue near Providence Memorial Park shortly before 9 p.m.

They arrived to find a man wounded in the street with two shell casings on the ground nearby.

The victim was taken to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

No other details were made available.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has arrested a man it suspects of two shooting in the Marrero area since Saturday, including one murder. Forty-three-year-old Alonzo Ford of Marrero is facing charges of second degree murder and two counts of attempted second degree murder.

"Ford is accused of shooting a 55-year-old Marrero man in the 6300 block of Acre Road on Monday, April 1, 2019 at around 6:37 pm," the sheriff's office reports. "Ford shot the victim in the head following an argument.  The victim in the incident was transported to a local hospital, and died from his injuries yesterday (Tuesday)."

The sheriff's office says Ford is also suspected in a weekend shooting they thing stemmed from another argument.

"Ford is also accused of shooting two men in the 6200 block of 2nd Avenue in Marrero on Saturday, March 30 around 2:40 am.  Ford was also arguing with the victims in this shooting.  One of the victims in this incident, a 50-year old male from Marrero, remains in critical condition at a local hospital after being shot in the head.  The other suffered a minor injury and was treated and released."

Ford also faces charges related to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and obstruction of justice.

The sheriff's office asks anyone with information on these shootings to call the sheriff's office homicide section at (504) 364-5300 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or toll free at (877) 903-7867 (STOP). Callers to Crimestoppers do not have to leave their names and may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest and indictment.
 

JPSO deputies are investigating a Saturday night double shooting on the West bank.

According to initial reports from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, two men were wounded in the 1600 block of Pailet Avenue in Harvey just after 10 p.m. 

Officials say their injuries appear to be non-life threatening.

Deputies are investigating what they have classified as an aggravated battery by shooting. 

Anyone with information on crimes committed locally should call Crimestoppers on 504-822-1111. 

A man who taught at an elementary school in Waggaman is accused of inappropriate contact with two students and faces charges of indecent behavior. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office arrested 36-year-old Anthony Prejean following an investigation that began April 2.

"Jefferson Parish Schools notified the Sheriff's Office of allegations of inappropriate behavior made against Prejean," said Capt. Jason Rivarde with the JPSO. He said the incidents happened at the school, Live Oak Manor Elementary at 220 Acadia Drive.

"Prejean is accused having inappropriate contact with two different 8-year-old students," said Rivarde. "In both cases, he allegedly held the girl's hand against his groin area (over the clothes), then moved the child's hand in an up-and-down motion.  These incidents occurred when other children were present, but apparently unable to observe the activities."

Prejean surrendered to the sheriff's office today.

"JP Schools immediately conducted an investigation and contacted JPSO after learning about the allegations," said Ted Beasley, Director of Communications for Jefferson Parish Schools. "The employee resigned when JP Schools began its investigation.
 
"The safety of our students is our top responsibility. All JP Schools employees undergo a background check upon employment. The district will provide counselors to any students or staff members impacted."

Protesters closed the expressway in Gretna during 'Justice Walk' for 2 men killed in undercover drug sting.

They were speaking out against the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office for the shooting of two men by deputies.

38-year-old Chris Joseph and 39-year-old Daviri Robertson were killed on March 28 as deputies fired at the during an undercover drug sting operation.  

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto said at least 4 undercover deputies in unmarked cars converged on a silver car in the parking lot near an IHOP restaurant in Terrytown. 

Today protesters spoke out on what they called "illegal force" by police.

Gretna police said the "Justice Walk" was done without permits.

The walk was done on the sidewalk but spilled over onto the road. 

Cops are looking for clues after gunfire left one man dead and two more wounded on the Westbank.

"The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide that occurred tonight in the 6100 block of Ray St. at around 8:55 pm," Captain Jason Rivarde said in an email. "Deputies responded to a report of a shooting, and located two males suffering from gunshot wounds at a residence near the intersection of Ray St. and Admiral St."

He says that both victims made it to the hospital.

"One has succumbed to his injuries (39 years old), the other (25 years old) remains in stable condition."

Police then learned there was a third victim.

"An additional victim (22 years old) was brought to a local hospital by a private vehicle. That victim is in critical condition," according to Rivarde.  "There is no motive or suspect information at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call our Homicide Section at 504-364-5300 or contact Crimestoppers."

Three men are under arrest after Jefferson Parish Sheriff's officials say they broke into a Metairie home, held a woman at gunpoint, pistol-whipped another, and carjacked a pizza delivery vehicle.

Antonio Key (center) of Harvey and Rodgers Hart (left) and Darius Daleo of Marrero face charges of aggravated burglary. Hart is also charged with carjacking and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

"Just before midnight on April 30, Hart and Key damaged and entered the back door of the residence in the 4600 block of Southshore Drive," said Capt. Jason Rivarde, spokesman for the JPSO. "Two female victims were inside the home, aged 67 and 38.  The older victim found the suspects pointing a firearm at the younger victim, and she engaged with one of the suspects.  The suspect subsequently struck the victim on the head several times with a handgun, causing minor injuries. "

Rivarde says the suspects fled, without taking any property, after further confrontation from one of the victims.

"Shortly after the incident, a trooper from the Louisiana State Police located a vehicle in the area that was being operated unsafely and without headlights. After a pursuit that ended with the suspect vehicle crashing, the occupants of the vehicle, 3 males, fled on foot," said Rivarde. "One of the males, now identified as Hart, jumped into a vehicle being used to deliver pizza."

Rivarde said Hart tried to get the driver to help him escape, but the driver instead ran from the vehicle, which Hart then stole. State troopers found Daleo in the area and arrested him.

Detectives later learned that Key had been to the house on Southshore Drive earlier in April as part of a crew hired by a local contractor.

"Key was employed by a local contractor and did some work in the residence, during which he apparently decided that burglarizing the residence would prove fruitful," said Rivarde.

After identifying Key and Hart as suspects, deputies arrested them Thursday.

A passenger on a Spirit Airlines flight bound for New Orleans this week earned himself a lifetime ban for vaping and getting drunk, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.

The passenger, a St. Petersburg, Florida resident, was vaping in the cabin, according to officials. When told that wasn't allowed, the man then went in to a lavatory, where his vaping set off the lavatory smoke alarm.

Other passengers reported the man appeared to be sneaking drinks while hiding under his jacket in his seat. FAA rules say passengers may only consume alcohol served to them by the airline.

According to the sheriff's office, a deputy was called to meet the flight when it landed at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Although the deputy says the passenger was visibly intoxicated, local authorities did not arrest him. A sheriff's office spokesman said violations that happen while in-flight are left to federal authorities.

The deputy said officials with Spirit Airlines banned the passenger from ever flying with them again.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office says an unidentified 26-year-old man was fatally shot times at the intersection of West Metairie Blvd. and Henry Landry Ave. 

The sheriff's office says neighbors called to report hearing several gunshots shortly after 11:00 p.m. Deputies arrived to find the conscious victim, shot multiple times. He was taken to University Medical Center in New Orleans, but died from his injuries a short time later.

The sheriff's office says they have no word on possible motive or suspects.

Police say anyone who has information should call the  Investigations Bureau at (504) 364-5300, or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or toll free at (877) 903-7867 (STOP). Callers to Crimestoppers do not have to leave their names and may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest and indictment.
 

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office is investigating a double homicide in Metairie.

Authorities are investigating the scene at North Starett Rd and West Metairie Road. Officials say two men were found dead inside a vehicle, shot to death.

"We were dispatched here to the area where two men were presumably dead with gunshot wounds here in a vehicle," said Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto. "Our deptuies arrived on scene and found just that: two males are dead in a vehicle here at this location."

There is no suspect or motive at this time.

It's a little more than a mile away from the scene of a homicide late last night, at West Metairie and Henry Landry Ave. Lopinto said they are investigating to see if there is any connection, but he said it is too soon to tell one way or the other.

A man has been arrested in two incidents in Metairie in which three people were killed in less than a day. Separate shootings on West Metairie Road had investigators tracking down clues since late last night.

"Our detectives haven't been sleeping," Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto said. 

Lopinto said homicide detectives worked quickly to identify a suspect and make an arrest, and said a SWAT team was surrounding a house nearby on Trefny Ave. as deputies were still on the scene of a double-homicide at West Metairie Ave and N. Starett Rd. earlier this evening.

"We tracked him back to a house very near that location," the sheriff said. "We have recovered a gun."

The sheriff said evidence recovered from the scene tied the suspect to both the N. Starett Rd. incident and the fatal shooting Monday at W. Metairie and Henry Landry Ave.

Lopinto said he did not want to get too detailed at this time, but would have more to release to the public tomorrow afternoon.

The man arrested for three murders in Metairie is apparently a former John Curtis football player who secured a walk-on spot on the University of South Alabama's roster, The New Orleans Advocate reports.

A Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office SWAT team arrested the suspect last night. Jefferson Parish jail records show 22-year-old Sean M. Barrette was booked last night on two counts of first degree murder and one count of second degree murder.

The sheriff's office believes the same suspect is responsible for the fatal shooting of a 26-year-old man at the intersection of West Metairie Avenue and Henry Landry Avenue late Monday night, and for the killings of two men found in a vehicle at North Starett Road and West Metairie late yesterday afternoon.

The Advocate notes that name and date of birth of the suspect matches that of a John Curtis player who walked on at Mississippi State's football team before making the roster at the University of South Alabama.

Sheriff Joe Lopinto said it appears Barrette was picking his victims at random.

Click here to read more from The New Orleans Advocate.

One man was killed and two were hurt when bullets began flying after what by all accounts was a friendly basketball game in Jefferson Parish. 

One of the injured men is Grambling football player Darrell "DJ" Clark, Sheriff Joe Lopinto said. The New Orleans Advocate reports the Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office identified the deceased victim as Clark's brother, 19-year-old Keyon Clark.

Sheriff Lopinto said on The Newell Normand Show on WWL that the violence happened after the three had finished playing basketball at Frank Lemon Playground at 1300 Causeway Blvd.

"It appeared that they were finishing up a basketball game at Lemon playground," said Lopinto. "Three individuals were just standing out in the front talking and appeared to have been ambushed by a person who just came around and starting shooting at them."

Lopinto said according to the manager at the gym, there weren't any fights or arguments during the game that would lead investigators to believe the violence had anything to do with it.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Investigations Bureau at (504) 364-5300 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or toll free at (877) 903-7867 (STOP). Callers to Crimestoppers do not have to leave their names and may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest and indictment.

The family of Sean Barrette, the 22-year-old man accused in three killings in Metairie, linked to a murder in New Orleans, and suspected in several more shooting incidents, released a statement today expressing their sorrow at what happened.

"To the families and friends who have been devastated by this senseless tragedy, we are so deeply sorry for your loss," the statement begins. "We mourn for you and the beautiful lives taken.  We understand there are no words that can ease or take away your pain.  We only hope you can one day find peace.  We ask everyone to keep all the families who have been devastated in your prayers."

In the hours since Barrette's arrest, authorities linked more shootings to the suspect.

Barrett is charged with murdering three people in shootings on West Metairie Avenue and one victim in New Orleans East. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the bullets in three more shootings match too.

"We had a female driving on I-10 around Bonnabel, who's vehicle was shot up," the sheriff told WWL's Newell Normand. "She actually thought it was hail hitting her vehicle and continued to just drive to her house."

He says when she got home, she realized she had bullet holes in her vehicle.

Lopinto added that fortunately that woman was not injured when Barrette riddled her car with bullets on June 17th, just hours before the first killing in Metairie.  

There was also a similar case in Kenner.

Kenner Police Lt. Michael Cunningham says a driver was on I-10 and noticed another vehicle following them.

"As they exited off the interstate onto Loyola, right at the light, the vehicle pulled along side of them and fired several shots at them."

No one was injured.

Cunningham says the bullets used in that June 5th case also matched the same gun used in the murders.

It was the next day that Barrette allegedly shot and killed a man in New Orleans East.

Investigators say the same gun was allegedly used in another shooting in New Orleans where shots were fired, but no one was hit.

Police continue looking at additional cases to see if there are more linked to Barrette.

Recap of all of the crimes JPSO says are linked to Barrette:

• June 5th shooting... he allegedly shot up a vehicle he had chased off the I-10 onto Loyola Avenue in Kenner.  No one was injured.
• June 5th shooting... he allegedly fired a weapon in New Orleans, No one was injured.
• June 6th murder... he allegedly shot and killed a man in New Orleans East.
• June 17th shooting... he allegedly riddled a vehicle with bullets on I-10 at Bonnabel. No one was injured.
• June 17th murder... he allegedly murdered a man in on West Metairie Avenue in Metairie.
• June 18th Two murders... he allegedly gunned down two men in a vehicle on West Metairie Avenue in Metairie, killing them both.

New Orleans police confirm they are looking at Barrette for two crimes. They issued the following:

• Sean Barrette has been named a person of interest in a homicide that occurred on June 6, 2019 near the intersection of Marquis Street and Hayne Blvd in the Seventh District. 
• Barrette is also considered a person of interest in the illegal discharge of a firearm that occurred on June 5 in the 6200 block of Hayne Blvd,  also in the Seventh District. 

The search for a boater is over after a body fitting the description was recovered today from Lake Salvador.

The U.S. Coast Guard says the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office notified them it found the body around 10:20 this morning.

The 22-year-old man was reported overboard without a lifejacket Sunday evening. Rescuers searched 294 square miles for more than 23 hours.

The incident remains under investigation.
 

A Massachusetts man already indicted for raping three Louisiana children 40 years ago is now a suspect in the 1978 kidnapping and murder of one of them.  

72-year-old Jason Franklin is charged with raping Stephanie Hebert, but is not charged in the 5-year-old Waggaman girl's death.
  
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Capt. Jason Rivarde says the JPSO identified Franklin as a suspect in the spring of 2018.
 
Hebert's remains were found six months after she disappeared from her home in the West Bank suburb of  New Orleans.  

Franklin is accused of raping the young girl sometime between 1975 and 1977.
  
Franklin is also charged with aggravated rapes of two other children, a boy and girl, during the same period in Jefferson Parish.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's office says it has arrested a volunteer coach with Lakeshore Playground on multiple counts of sexual behavior with juveniles. Authorities say one of the incidents involving 49-year-old William Carter Mehrhoff dates back to the 1990s.

"Mehrhoff, who goes by 'Coach Carter', was acquainted with one of the victims partially through his association with Lakeshore Playground as a volunteer coach," the sheriff' office said in a statement. "Mehrhoff has been arrested for one count of sexual battery in an incident believed to have occurred in 2014-2015, and one count of sexual battery for a series of incidents believed to have occurred in the 1990s."

The sheriff's office says they arrested Mehrhoff Saturday after getting the account of one alleged victim, who said when he was 10, he and other family members were visiting Mehrhoff at his home in Metairie.

"The victim became tired, and went into a bedroom to lie down<" the sheriff's office said. "While in the bedroom, Mehrhoff entered the bed with him.  The victim described Mehrhoff pulling down his shorts, then felt Mehrhoff rubbing his genitalia on his buttocks."

The sheriff's office says when word of Mehrhoff's arrest became known in the community, another alleged victim came forward.

"Another victim came forward to report that Mehrhoff had inappropriately behaved and engaged in genital touching with him on multiple occasions between 1994 and 1999.  This victim was aged 10-14 at the time.  Mehrhoff is facing a count of sexual battery related to this offense."

The sheriff's office says if anyone else has information on crimes Mehrhoff may have committed to call Detective Jeff Jobin of the Juvenile Crimes Section at (504) 364-5300, or contact Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.