Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department
Narcotics Press Release

Upon the completion of a lengthy Narcotics Investigation into a residence located in the city of Ville Platte, of illegal activity including the distribution of narcotics. August 6, 2024, the recently formed Narcotics Task Force that includes Narcotic Agents and Swat Members from Evangeline and Allen Parish Sheriff's Office, executed a No-Knock search warrant at 513 East  Jackson Street, Ville Platte Louisiana.

Upon the Task Force making entry into the residence, Narcotics Agents made contact with a total of (5) suspects within residence, who were detained. Narcotic Officers searched the residence with the following results:

65.69 grams of Methamphetamines
34.79 grams of Synthetic Marijuana
2.69 grams of Crack Cocaine
10.04 grams of Marijuana
9mm pistol

Kenneth Perkins 41 of Ville Platte was arrested and charged with (1) Count of Distribution/Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS, Methamphetamines, (1) Count Distribution/Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II, CDS Crack Cocaine (1) Count Illegal Carry of Weapons; Crime or CDS (1) Possession of Firearm or Carrying Concealed Weapon by a Person Convicted of Certain Felonies (1) Count of (Synthetic Marijuana) Distribution/Possession with the Intent to Distribute Schedule I CDS(2) Counts of Illegal Use of a Controlled Dangerous Substances in the Presence of a Person Under Seventeen Years of Age.

We had special guests visiting with us from Baton Rouge. Our guests included Avery Davidson with the TV Ag program "This Week in Louisiana Agriculture" sponsored by Farm Bureau, Joe Gallinaro, affiliate relations coordinator with the La. Radio Network and Don Molino with the Louisiana Ag Radio Network. Davidson did a short interview with Mark Layne to talk about our Ag programming over KVPI. The feature is expected to be shown this weekend.

Ville Platte Rotary Club Meeting

August 20, 2024

 

    The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from guest speaker, Ville Platte Mayor Ryan LeDay Williams.

    Mayor Willims gave a status report to club members on what is going on at city hall.

    A large portion of his comments and questions from club members dealt with the recent meeting addressing the crime problem in the city. The mayor said the city will hire an additional 7-8 police officers to work with a special task force comprised of officers from the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Department, Ville Platte City Marshal’s Office and the State Police to help combat the growing problem of burglaries and shootings in the city. The task force plans to enforce and tweak the current curfew.

   A major problem the city is facing is that the police department is under a U.S. Justice Department decree that police officers must be post certified before they can start working the streets. Currently, the city has hired a post certified applicant and four applicants are attending  the 15 week academy to get that training. The mayor said his number one goal is to ensure the safety of every citizen. One plan under consideration is to have the sheriff’s department take over law enforcement in the city and disband the city police department.

    In another announcement, the mayor stated that “Tractor Supply” will be locating in Ville Platte and will create an additional 20-25 jobs and increase our tax base. The city has received a $500,000 grant to clean up blighted properties throughout the city. Also, the city is making improvements to its parks including Northside, Hargrove and the park across from Walmart.

 In other Rotary news:

--the club welcomed its newest member Justin Lafleur and was informed that the Rotary District Governor will be the featured speaker at its next meeting

Ville Platte Chief of Police

Press Release

 

Chief Al Perry Thomas reports that on August 19, 2024, the Ville Platte Police Department was notified of a gunshot victim at Mercy Regional Medical Center. The victim, a black male, received a single gunshot wound to the right shoulder blade area, which passed through his torso, and almost exited his left shoulder. The victim did not survive. The incident happened at the intersection of Peach Street and Ardoin Street in Ville Platte.

Police arrested 28-year-old Sadie Simien of Ville Platte as a suspect. She has been charged with Second Degree Murder. Bond has been set at $1 million.

If anyone has any information on this crime, they are urged to contact the Investigations Division of the Ville Platte Police Department at 337-363-1316. All calls will remain anonymous. Chief Thomas reminds the public that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department

Narcotics Press Release - August 5, 2024 

 

On July 23, 2024, Narcotic Agents with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office, while conducting criminal patrol, observed a vehicle with no license plate fail to come to a complete stop at the intersection of Grand Prairie Road and Main Street by yielding at the stop sign.  Agents observed the vehicle turned onto West Main Street Westbound and the driver began to drive erratic in such a fashion as to evade law enforcement.  Agents activated the emergency lights to affect a traffic stop.  At this time the vehicle abruptly right onto Prairie Dale Road while not maintaining his proper lane. While traveling North on Prairie Dale Road, the driver was observed opening the driver’s door to throw something out of the vehicle and then stopped.   Upon making contact with the driver who was identified as a 42-year-old white male, Kevin Fuselier of Ville Platte.  Agent became aware of the driver not maintain a valid driver’s license, insurance, or registration of the vehicle.  In plain view on the passenger side floorboard, agents observed a 16-gauge sawed-off shotgun.  Fuselier was ordered to exit the car, and placed in restraints so agents could take possession of the illegal firearm.   Fuselier became nervous by attempting to walk back and forth in an unusual manner and sweating profusely.  Fuselier was advised of his Miranda Rights and stated he understood his rights.  Agents through dispatch became aware of Fuselier having a suspended license, being a convicted felon, and a convicted felon in possession of an illegal firearm.  Fuselier stated to agents he had some methamphetamine in the left pant leg.  A search by agents was conducted and located a piece of plastic containing 1.73 grams of methamphetamines.

Kevin Paul Fuselier was cited for traffic infractions for the related traffic offenses. Fuselier was arrested and charged with 1(1) Count 1495.1 Possession of a Firearm by a person convicted of certain felonies, (1) 14:95E Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, 40:967 Possession of Schedule II Methamphetamine, and 14:108.1 Flight from an officer. The vehicle was towed by Sooners Towing Service 

 

On July 9th, 2024, Narcotic Agents, while conducting a criminal patrol in the East side of Evangeline Parish, observed a Silver GMC pickup truck traveling North on Peach Tree Lane. When agents followed the vehicle, he began to travel from his lane into the opposite lane almost running off the opposite shoulder of the roadway.  Agents activated the emergency lights to affect a traffic stop on Peach Street Lane.  Upon contact, the driver was identified as James Fontenot 36 of Ville Platte. He was advised of the reason for the traffic stop.  Upon providing the license plate to dispatch, the agent became aware that the vehicle did not maintain vehicle insurance. When making contact with Fontenot, agents observed drug paraphernalia "Marijuana smoking pipe" in his hands and Fontenot was ordered to exit the vehicle.   Upon leaving the car, Fontenot became nervous and sweating profusely, at this time, agents conducted a pat search of Fontenot for weapons and officer safety and located a small bag of Marijuana weighing 1.51 grams.  Also, located in the wallet of Fontenot 1.37 grams of methamphetamines, and 2.58 grams of methamphetamines are located in the vehicle.  Proof of insurance was provided and the vehicle was released to the subjects at the residence.

James Fontenot was arrested and charged with  (1) Count 40:967.C Possession of Schedule II, issued citations for the following traffic offenses 47:501 Failure to register vehicle, 30:2522 Littering, 32:79 Improper Lane usage, 32:415 Suspended Driver's license, 32:1304 Expired MVI, and a Criminal Summons for (1) count  40:966 Marijuana under 14 grams. Citation Number 89059665 and 89059666.