New Orleans Metro Crime and Courts News

Tracking local crime, criminal justice and courts news in metro New Orleans, Louisiana

A father and son wanted for allegedly running a roofing scam on an elderly Old Jefferson man were arrested Thursday evening in Gonzales. Robbie Wharton Jr., 65 and his son, Robbie Wharton III, 34, surrendered to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office and were booked as being fugitives out of Jefferson Parish, according to Col. John Fortunato, spokesman for the... Full story »

New Orleans police are conducting a sexual-assault investigation at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. The Rev. Joseph Doyle, president of the Catholic school in the 2600 block of A.P. Tureaud Avenue, declined to provide details about the investigation Thursday. "I have no comment because it's dealing with minors and it's being investigated, " Doyle said. Police are... Full story »

St. John the Baptist Parish authorities need help identifying the body of a man recovered from the water along Interstate 55 Thursday night. He was about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and had three tattoos: praying hands on the left forearm, a deck of cards with dollar signs on the right forearm, and a fleur de lis with the... Full story »

St. Tammany Parish deputies busted up a cockfighting ring near Slidell this month, arresting four people in the first use in the parish of a state law that made the sport a criminal offense, authorities said. Deputies were called to 62258 N. 14th St., Slidell, on March 7 when a neighbor reported that a cockfight was occurring in the... Full story »

2 killed in Hollygrove, 1 in Gentilly Full story »

Cast member treated for viral infection, NOPD confiscates tainted Sonicare toothbrush, but no arrest made Full story »

New Orleans police are investigating a shooting in the 1900 block of North Tonti Street that happened at 8:50 p.m. Officer Shereese Harper said one person was shot and taken to "by private conveyance" to a local hosptial. Authorties say the victim was a male -- no age was available -- but could not provide details on his condition.... Full story »

Authorities are searching for a father and son who allegedly ripped off an 86-year-old Jefferson man in a roofing scam. Arrest warrants have been issued for Robbie Wharton Jr., 65, and Robbie Wharton III, 34, for contractor fraud and theft, according to Col. John Fortunato, spokesman for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. The Whartons are accused of charging the... Full story »

Steve Mortillaro, who lost his $12,000-a-year Jefferson Parish position this month, said Thursday he was hired in 2008 to be an administrative hearing officer for stoplight camera tickets but didn't preside over a single case. He said Aaron Broussard, the parish president who resigned Jan. 8, brought him into the administration on "a retainer" two years ago and told... Full story »

Ray Hebert sued four accusers four years ago, alleging they defamed him Full story »

A Franklinton man this week was convicted of sending sexually explicit images and lewd messages to a 12-year-old Mandeville girl's cell phone. James E. Tate, 25, was convicted of indecent behavior with a child under 13. A 12-member St. Tammany Parish jury took two hours to return a verdict at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. The indecent behavior with juveniles statute... Full story »

A Folsom man on Thursday was sentenced to life in prison after a state judge determined he qualified as a career criminal after a recent drug conviction. Norman Byrd, 50, who has 23 arrests on his record, was found guilty as charged in November of possession of Oxycontin - a pain medication - without a prescription. On Thursday, Assistant... Full story »

Slidell Police arrested two men after they picked up a package containing about a pound of cocaine hidden in a baby bath, blanket and clothes, authorities said Thursday. Antwine A. Ducre, 23, and Rodney W. Cousin, 26, were arrested about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday after they picked up the package at a home in Slidell, Slidell Police Chief Freddy Drennan said.... Full story »

A 47-year-old Pearl River man this week pleaded guilty to 300 counts of possessing juvenile pornography. Robert A. Friday, 818 Pine Alley, was booked Jan. 17, 2008, with aggravated rape of a child under 13, and at that time Slidell police along with sheriff's deputies seized his computer, analyzing it for evidence of the alleged rape, along with possible... Full story »

A Norco woman has been booked with aggravated battery after she allegedly stabbed her 64-year-old boyfriend in the neck following an altercation in their home, according to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office. Daphne Warner, 48, 218 Apple St., was booked just before midnight Sunday and transported to the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center in Killona, said Sgt. Dwayne LaGrange,... Full story »