11 arrested after St. Helena Parish jail inmate's overdose death
Inmate Rogers B. Vernon, 40, died from an overdose in April. The St. Helena Parish Sheriff's Office said the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office was asked to assist in the investigation.
Investigators learned that contraband had been brought into the jail. Deputies said 10 inmates and one civilian were arrested in the case.
'The St. Helena Parish Sheriff's Office would like to thank Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office, who, in cooperation with our deputies, worked tirelessly in assisting with this investigation. For the safety of those housed at our jail, additional measures have been implemented to prevent contraband from entering our facility. We would also like to extend our condolences to the family of Mr. Vernon- our prayers are with you all,' the sheriff's office said.
Brandon Burge, 38, was charged with two counts of distribution of Schedule II CDS and one count each of introduction of contraband and second-degree murder.
Tilman Myles, 35, was charged with eight counts of distribution of Schedule II CDS and one count each of introduction of contraband and second-degree murder.
Gregory Bell, 41, was charged with conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS and introduction of contraband.
Benjamin Brumfield, 38, was charged with conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS and introduction of contraband.
Albert Cecchi, 47, was charged with conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS and introduction of contraband.
Lance Griffith, 42, was charged with conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS and introduction of contraband.
David Schmitt, 43, was charged with conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS and introduction of contraband.
Frank Solomon, 51, was charged with conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS and introduction of contraband.
Gabriel Thomas, 34, was charged with conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS and introduction of contraband.
Eric Williams, 31, was charged with conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS and introduction of contraband.
Linda Smith, 43, was charged with conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS and introduction of contraband.
Baton Rouge man charged with home invasion, armed robbery
11 arrested after St. Helena Parish jail inmate's overdose death
Infant highchairs recalled over 'risk of serious injury or death'
Judge declines to release Mahmoud Khalil after government shifts to 'other charge of removability'
Country singer John Foster to perform at Baton Rouge music venue for two nights
Congressman curses fellow lawmaker on House floor
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
Vernon food plant pleads guilty after nitrogen leak kills two workers
A food processing plant in Vernon has pled guilty to two misdemeanor counts and will pay more than $6 million after it was criminally charged for a hazardous nitrogen gas leak in 2020 that killed two workers. The deal with California Ranch Foods, a subsidiary of Vernon-based Golden West Food Group, was reached by prosecutors with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office last month and relies on findings from an investigation by California's workplace safety agency. The case stems from a Dec. 1, 2020 incident in which 56-year-old Baldemar Gonsales of Los Angeles and 54-year-old Maria Osyguss of Hemet were found lying unconscious at the company's facility in Vernon after a malfunction caused a leak of liquid nitrogen in one of the facility's chill rooms — specialized refrigerated spaces to preserve meat and other perishable foods. The workers were taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. They suffocated due to a lack of oxygen in the air because of the leak, according to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, also known as Cal/OSHA. 'When employers fail to protect their workers and it results in a preventable death, California will hold them accountable,' Cal/OSHA Chief Debra Lee said in a Tuesday news release about the deal. 'We will continue to use every tool available, including criminal referrals to ensure justice is served, and that safety is never optional.' The company faces three years of probation for the misdemeanor counts of workplace safety violations, which were reduced from felony charges as part of the deal. The deal takes into account a $35 million civil settlement for the victims families and requires more than $6 million in investments from California Ranch Foods in safety measures, criminal fines and other payments, according to the plea agreement. Specifically, the company is required to invest $1.6 million in safety improvements, pay $50,000 to California's Division of Occupational Health and Safety to support enforcement efforts, pay a $1 million criminal fine and donate $4 million to local food banks. Golden West Food Group, the parent company of California Ranch Foods, did not respond to a request for comment about the agreement. Cal/OSHA issued citations in October 2021 that found critical failures in the company's safety procedures and training around its handling of pressurized gas systems. The ageny's investigation of the incident found that one employee walked into the cold room, passed out, and died of asphyxiation. An hour later a second employee entered the room and similarly died. said Michael Bright, who heads up Cal/OSHA's Bureau of Investigations, which reviews workplace fatalities and pursues criminal cases. The employees received no warning of the leak because the alarm installed in the room was rusted over, Bright said. 'This was a case where there was gross negligence. [The investigator] quickly saw the egregiousness,' Bright said. Besides the company's failure to maintain alarms that would help provide time for a safe escape, Cal/OSHA found the company did not properly train employees on safety procedures or install adequate equipment to prevent harmful exposure. For example, the company did not have a ventilation system to funnel out nitrogen gas, install sensors readable from outside the room, or provide employees with individual oxygen monitors and emergency breathing apparatuses, the Cal/OSHA citation said. The company has since retrofitted and fixed its systems since the fatalities, according to Bright.
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Yahoo
Pedestrian critically injured after being hit by car on Geronimo Street
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A man was hit by a car on Geronimo Street near Winbourne Avenue Friday afternoon. A spokesman with the Baton Rouge Police Department confirmed the man was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Right now, police are working to determine a possible motive. The incident is under investigation. More details will be provided as they become available. Latest News New literacy and learning lab opening at Louisiana State Library Are 'pocket rescissions' legal? Congressional watchdog says 'no' Mall-based retailer Claire's files for bankruptcy again Former Nuggets star's pregnant wife says she was attacked by shark Trump raises tariffs on India by 25 percent over Russian oil purchases Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Yahoo
Man dead after being hit by car during fight on Geronimo Street in Baton Rouge
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating after a man died in a fight on Friday. Officers responded to the 3300 block of Geronimo Street after a man was hit by a car. According to BRPD, Montrell Green, 35, and another man were involved in an argument that led to Green firing a weapon. Police said the other man got into a vehicle. While trying to escape, they hit Green as he tried to block the way out. Green was taken to the hospital but died from his injuries on Aug. 2. Police said the driver was detained for questioning and later released. No charges were announced. The investigation is ongoing, and police ask anyone with information to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at 225-389-4869 or call Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867. Latest News See the LSU men's basketball SEC schedule for 2026 Registering to vote in East Baton Rouge Parish before 2025 fall elections: What to know MLB is calling up its first female umpire, Jen Pawol Ex-Trump surgeon general: RFK Jr. vaccine move 'going to cost lives' Chikungunya virus in China: What to know Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
