Criminal Case News

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Jury Returns a Guilty Verdict

  On Thursday, January 12, 2023, Kevin Sterling, 39 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…

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Tran Plead Guility

Tommy Tran, age 50, from Buras, LA plead guilty December 14, 2022 to Attempted Illegal Discharge of a Firearm and was sentenced to 5 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections and recommended for any and all self help programs.   The incident took place on May 24, 2022 in Buras, LA. Defendant shot his…

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Office News & Events

Happy Thanksgiving

The District Attorney’s Office will be closing Thursday, November 28, 2024, and will reopen Monday, December 2, 2024, at 8:30am in observation of Thanksgiving Holiday.

DA Offices’ Closed for Veterans Day

**OFFICE CLOSURE** The District Attorney’s Office will close Monday, November 11, 2024, in observation of Veterans Day, we will reopen Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 8:30am.  

ELECTION DAY

**OFFICE CLOSURE** The District Attorney’s Office will close Tuesday, November 5, 2024, in observation of Election Day, we will reopen Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 8:30am.

**OFFICE CLOSURE**

  The District Attorney’s Office will close Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 3:00pm, in observation of Halloween and remain closed November 1, 2024, in observation of All Saint’s Day, we will reopen Monday, November 4, 2024, at 8:30am.    

The District Attorney’s Office supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We fight with those who have lost, those who are fighting and those who have overcome.

Grand Jury Indictment

  BELLE CHASSE, October 22, 2024 Charles J. Ballay, District Attorney for the Parish of Plaquemines, reports that on October 22, 2024, a Plaquemines Parish Grand Jury convened and returned a true bill of indictment on Victor Battle, age 21, from Port Sulphur, Louisiana.  Battle was indicted for Second Degree Murder and Possession of a…

Moreno Found Guilty by Jury

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, a jury verdict was returned in Plaquemines Parish against Jose Moreno for Aggravated Rape. The defendant was accused of orally raping a 3-year-old in Port Sulphur, Louisiana. The victim testified at trial and detailed how the defendant forced him to perform oral sex on him when he was a small…

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…

Office Closer due to Tropical Storm Francine

In order to give our staff adequate time to prepare for potential severe weather and storm surge, our office will close at 2:00pm on 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. On 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 our offices will 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲d due to Tropical Storm Francine.

District Attorney Hosts Training on Competency and Sanity Laws

On September 9, 2024 the District Attorney, Charles J. Ballay, with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Mary Touzet, hosted a continuing legal education training to attorneys and staff working in the criminal justice system in Plaquemines Parish and Jefferson Parish.  Mrs. Marianne Fletchinger, Regional Attorney with the Louisiana Department of Health, instructed participants on Louisiana…