Sheriff’s Office stays busy with recent arrests

Published 2:49 pm Tuesday, April 27, 2021

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Thursday, April 22, through Saturday, April 24, were busy days for the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, according to WPSO Chief Deputy Mike Haley. In addition to managing routine calls for service, officers made several significant arrests.

The arrests that Haley reported included:

  • Christopher Micheal Burke, 20, a resident of Superior Avenue in Bogalusa, was arrested on Thursday south of Bogalusa for possession of illegal drugs, including heroin, cocaine and marijuana. He was arrested and booked into the Washington Parish Jail on three counts of possession of illegal drugs with intent to distribute, obstruction of justice, introduction of contraband into a correctional facility and possession of controlled dangerous substances in the presence of a juvenile who was asleep in a car seat at the time of the arrest.
  • Also on Thursday, officers arrested Steve Oalmann Jr., 45, a resident of Red Bird Lane. Oalmann had two outstanding warrants from Tangipahoa Parish and during the arrest he fought with officers before being subdued. He was booked into the Washington Parish Jail for battery on a police officer, resisting a police officer with force or violence and being a fugitive from Tangipahoa Parish. Oalmann has two previous stays in the Washington Parish jail on charges of arson and criminal damage to property.
  • On Friday, officers arrested Ladarrius Taboah Carter, 31, a resident of Brock Road. Carter was arrested north of Bogalusa when he was found to be in possession of a significant amount of methamphetamine. He was booked into the Washington Parish Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and a traffic offense. Carter has several previous stays in the Washington Parish Jail on charges of possession of illegal drugs with intent to distribute, several counts of possession of illegal drugs, several counts of failure to appear in court and two counts of contempt of court.
  • Keith Hamilton Garrett, 67, a resident of Sundance Lane, was arrested Friday and booked into the Washington Parish Jail for aggravated battery. He has previous stays in the jail on two counts of driving while intoxicated, battery and several remands from the court.
  • Also on Friday, officers arrested James Vonshay Thompson 26, and Zachery Xavier Abram, 24, both residents of A. Moses Road. Thompson and Abram were booked into the jail for being convicted felons in possession of a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia. Thompson has previous arrests for burglary, failure to appear in court, contempt of court and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Abram’s six previous arrests were for various charges, including two counts of possession with intent to distribute illegal drugs, theft of a firearm, theft of a vehicle, three counts of burglary, two counts of probation violation and criminal mischief.
  • Jerry Elzie, III, 22, a resident of Nurcelia Cotton Road, was arrested Saturday for possession of illegal drugs, resisting arrest by flight, attempted introduction of contraband into a correctional facility and a traffic offense. Elzie has previous stays in the Washington Parish Jail for illegal possession of a stolen firearm and criminal conspiracy.

“The arrests of these seven individuals by our officers is a fine example of their dedicated and conscientious work in protecting the innocent citizens of Washington Parish,” Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said. “Their criminal activity was absolutely unnecessary and is indicative of a mindset that is contrary to the expectations of the vast majority of our parish residents. I am so pleased with their outstanding efforts to arrest lawbreakers and bring them before the courts of justice.”