Ascension Crime Briefs
Prairieville man arrested after passenger dies in early morning crash
ST. AMANT– Shortly before 3 a.m. on May 20, 2016, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop A began investigating a single vehicle fatality crash on La. 429 (Weber City Road) at the intersection of La. 22 in Ascension Parish. The crash took the life of 49-year-old Dena Edmonston of French Settlement. It also resulted in the arrest of 27-year-old Jot Willeford of Prairieville for Vehicular Homicide.
The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as Willeford was traveling westbound on La. 429 in a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. As Willeford entered the intersection of La. 429 and La. 22, he lost control of his vehicle and it began to overturn. The vehicle came to rest in a ditch on the east side of La. 22.
Edmonston was not restrained at the time of the crash and suffered fatal injuries. A second passenger in the vehicle was also unrestrained and suffered serious injuries. Willeford was also unrestrained and was not injured.
During the course of their investigation, Troopers determined that Willeford was impaired. He submitted to a chemical breath test and registered over three times the legal limit. Troopers arrested Willeford and he was booked into the Ascension Parish Jail for Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Negligent Injuring, No Seat Belt, and Operating a Vehicle with an Expired Driver’s License.
Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that impaired driving continues to be a major problem throughout Louisiana. Whether impaired through alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two, the consequences of driving while impaired remain the same.Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired, always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, and avoiding all distractions can often mean the difference between life and death.
Guilty Pleas
During the week of May 16 to May 20, the following defendants pled guilty to various charges and were sentenced in the 23rd Judicial District Court, parishes of Ascension, Assumption and St. James.
Ascension Parish
Jesus Monterrosas, 40206 Coontrap Road, Apt. 33 Gonzales, age 27, pleaded guilty to Negligent Homicide and was sentenced to five years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.
Nicole Breaux, 17250 La. 929 Prairieville, age 41, pleaded guilty to Unauthorized Use of a Moveable and Forgery and was sentenced to two years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served on each count to run concurrent with one another. The imposed sentence is to be suspended, and the defendant is to be placed on five years supervised probation.
Ryan Phelps, 43497 Norwood Road, Gonzales, age 35, pleaded guilty to Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance and was sentenced to five years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.
Natalie August, 109 Azalea Drive, Apt. 18 Donaldsonville, age 50, pleaded guilty to Theft valued at $1500 or more and was sentenced to 18 months with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on five years unsupervised probation.
Michael Laiche, 3599 La. 3125 Paulina, age 27, pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm or Carrying of a Concealed Weapon by a Convicted Felon and was sentenced to ten years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.
Casey Toye, 37313 Hwy 74 Apt. 115 Geismar, age 30, pled guilty to Unauthorized Use of a Moveable and was sentenced to 18 months with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on five years supervised probation.
Larry English II, 3135 Tovlon Road, #D Baton Rouge, age 38, pleaded guilty to Driving While Intoxicated third offense. Sentencing was deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation.
Brandon Jeane, 43462 R. Daigle Road, Gonzales, age 21, pleaded guilty to Simple Burglary and was sentenced to five years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.
Adam Martin, 501 5th St. Donaldsonville, age 28, pleaded guilty to Simple Burglary and was sentenced to seven years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.
Joseph Scott, 10507 Buxton Road, St. Amant, age 31, pleaded guilty to Driving While Intoxicated third offense. Sentencing was deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation.
Brent Louque, 1441 Second St. Lutcher, age 36, pleaded guilty to Attempted Possession of a Firearm or Carrying of a Concealed Weapon by a Convicted Felon and was sentenced to six years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.
The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Joni Buquoi and Sara Clarke. The presiding judge was the Honorable Judge Jessie LeBlanc.
Jessica Chaney, 2320 N Amelia St. Gonzales, age 28, pleaded guilty to Crimes Against Nature and was sentenced to three years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on three years supervised probation.
Jonathan Small, 2320 N Amelia St. Gonzales, age 32, pleaded guilty to Crimes Against Nature and was sentenced to three years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on three years supervised probation.
The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Shawn Bush. The presiding judge was the Honorable Judge Alvin Turner Jr.
St. James Parish
Dalton Coyer, 1051 County Road, Florence, Ala., age 30, pleaded guilty to Illegal Possession of Stolen Things and was sentenced to three years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on three years supervised probation.
Justin Johnson, 1051 County Road, Florence, Ala., age 32, pleaded guilty to Illegal Possession of Stolen Things and was sentenced to five years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on five years supervised probation.
Ray Rheams, 206 Plum St. Gramercy, age 54, pleaded guilty to the charge of Failure to Register and Notify as a Sex Offender or Child Predator second offense and was sentenced to seven years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.
The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Steven Tureau. The presiding judge was the Honorable Judge Jason Verdigets.