Criminal Case News

Victor Battle Sentenced to 30 Years for Murder of Billy Ray Saunier

In a solemn courtroom at the Plaquemines Parish Courthouse, Victor Battle pleaded guilty Tuesday, November 18, 2025, to the August 26, 2024, murder of Billy Ray Saunier and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. A guilty plea to the crime of Manslaughter was accepted by Judge Kevin Conner and brings to a close a…

Read more

Williams Pleads Guilty as Charged When Jury Selection Was to Start

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, Nelson Williams,(27) of Port Sulphur plead guilty as charged for Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor before his jury trial started. The defendant was accused of solicitating a minor with video conference calls while his was incarcerated. The victim refused to cooperate with authorities. Lt. Holly Hardin was the lead…

Read more

Lafrance Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Battery

Charles J. Ballay, District Attorney for the Parish of Plaquemines, reports that on October 1, 2024, Joseph Lafrance, age 56, from Braithwaite, Louisiana, plead guilty as charged to Aggravated Battery shortly before his trial by jury set on the same day. On April 2, 2023, an adult female victim contacted P.P.S.O. to report that Lafrance…

Read more

NAQUIN PLEADS TO 35 YEARS

The Plaquemines Parish District Attorney’s Office reports that on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, Kenneth Naquin, age 28, from Metairie, LA, pleaded guilty to Manslaughter before his trial set for April 10, 2024. Naquin was indicted on Second Degree Murder on July 21, 2022, following an incident that took place on May 11, 2022, in the…

Read more

Sterling Sentenced to 40 Years

On Thursday, January 12, 2023, Kevin Sterling, 40 from Natchitoches, LA was found guilty by a Jury of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Possession with Intent to Distribute Crystal Meth, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of a Firearm While in Possession of a Controlled…

Read more

Riley and Matte Plead Guilty

The Plaquemines Parish District Attorney’s Office reports that on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at the start of the jury trials of, Ray Riley, age 68, from Sunrise, LA, and Christopher J. Matte, age 42, from Belle Chasse, LA, both defendants changed their pleas to guilty. Ray Riley pleaded guilty to 2nd Degree Battery and was…

Read more

Parker Plead Guilty to Vehicular Homicide

On Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Reeva Parker, 38 from Buras, LA plead guilty to Vehicular Homicide, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated -Second Offense, and Possession of Alcohol Beverage in a Motor Vehicle.   Parker struck another vehicle on Highway 23 resulting in the driver suffering fatal injuries on March…

Read more

Office News & Events

**Holiday Closure Notice**

The Plaquemines Parish District Attorney’s Office will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28 in observance of Thanksgiving. Our office will reopen on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 8:30 AM. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!    

Sherell Manuel Sentenced to Five Years for Multiple Simple Burglary Charges

On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Sherell Manuel plead guilty to 2 counts of Simple Burglary and was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections by Judge Michael Clement. The case stems from incidents involving the theft of vehicles in Port Sulphur, LA, on January 19, 2025. Manuel was arrested on January 26, 2025.…

Victor Battle Sentenced to 30 Years for Murder of Billy Ray Saunier

In a solemn courtroom at the Plaquemines Parish Courthouse, Victor Battle pleaded guilty Tuesday, November 18, 2025, to the August 26, 2024, murder of Billy Ray Saunier and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. A guilty plea to the crime of Manslaughter was accepted by Judge Kevin Conner and brings to a close a…

Serial Domestic Abuser Found Guilty

Plaquemines Parish, LA — November 12, 2025 Bradley Allen Daniel stood trial for one count of domestic abuse battery stemming from an incident in Buras on February 7, 2025, in which he beat and terrorized his wife.    Deputies responded to the scene, and in conducting their investigation, spoke with the victim and an eyewitness…

District Attorney’s Office closed November 11th in observation of Veterans Day

The District Attorney’s Office will be closed Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in observation of Veterans Day we will reopen Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 8:30am.

Turner Found Guilty in Attempted Home Invasion Trial in Plaquemines Parish

Plaquemines Parish, LA — November 4, 2025 A man accused of attempting to force his way into a Port Sulphur home in 2023 was found guilty today in a trial before Judge Kevin Conner in Plaquemines Parish. Jajuan Turner stood trial for an attempted home invasion stemming from a December 9, 2023, incident in which…

District Attorney Charles J. Ballay Swears In Newest Assistant District Attorney – Charles A. Lobrano

Plaquemines Parish, LA – October 21, 2025 — District Attorney Charles J. Ballay officially swore in Charles A. Lobrano as the newest Assistant District Attorney during a ceremony held at the District Attorney’s Office. Mr. Lobrano is the son of longtime 1st Assistant District Attorney Jerry J. Lobrano, who has served the office with distinction…

District Attorney’s Office Closed Monday, October 13, 2025, in observation of Columbus Day

The District Attorney’s Office will be closed Monday, October 13, 2025, in observation of Columbus Day we will reopen Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 8:30am.  

GRAND JURY INDICTS THREE BROTHER’S FOR SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE

District Attorney Charles Ballay, reports that on September 23, 2025, a grand jury in Plaquemines Parish indicted three brothers—Josiah D. Cottrell (28), Timothy J. Cottrell (25), and David Michael Cottrell (22)—on charges of Second Degree Murder and Obstruction of Justice. The indictment was based on the death of Thomas Johnson, who was killed on August…

GRAND JURY INDICTMENT

On September 17, 2025, a Plaquemines Parish Grand Jury indicted Terrance Ramont McKinney, 54, from Duck Hill, MS, on multiple charges including Second Degree Murder, Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway, and Aggravated Flight from An Officer Where Human Life is Endangered. The indictment stems from a June 29, 2025, incident at the home of the…