Latest news with #TangipahoaParishSheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New Hampshire man sentenced in Washington Parish child sex abuse case
WASHINGTON PARISH, La. (WGNO) — A New Hampshire man has been sentenced to 135 years in prison after he sexually abused a young boy from Washington Parish. According to the Office of District Attorney Collin Sims, 28-year-old Benjamin Hart began talking to a then-10-year-old boy over Xbox online back in 2020, with communication eventually being moved to Snapchat, where Hart sent the boy an explicit image of himself. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office warns of deadly 'pink cocaine' Officials say Hart eventually convinced the victim to meet in person, and then began making regular trips from New Hampshire to Washington Parish, where he repeatedly sexually abused to victim, mostly inside of Hart's 18-wheeler. Prosecutors say that from 2020 through 2022, Hart gave expensive gifts, such as a cell phone, a gaming system and money to the victim, using them to coerce further sexual acts from the child. Hart was ultimately found guilty of sexual battery of a juvenile under the age of 13, trafficking of children for sexual purposes and computer aided solicitation of a juvenile under the age of 13. He was sentenced 80 years on the sexual battery charge, 35 on the trafficking charge and 20 on the solicitation arrested in Thibodaux drug bust Mama and baby bear cool off in California family's pool Last living grandson of 10th U.S. President John Tyler, dies at 96 How did white-tailed deer come back from near-extinction? New Hampshire man sentenced in Washington Parish child sex abuse case Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Slidell Police Chief talks benefits of approved pay raise
SLIDELL, La. (WGNO) — In Slidell, pay raises for the Slidell Police Department were officially approved. It's something Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal is calling a collective effort. The department is filled with gratitude after the city council unanimously voted to close a significant gap in salaries. Fandal says for the last four years they've been working to secure the raise, even bringing in a third-party company to do an in-depth pay study, identifying the deficiencies in their pay compared to other police departments. Kenner Police make third arrest in connection to drugging death of news reporter 'We were about 25% lower than the rest of the agencies in benefits and pay on the North Shore, so we went to work and we were able to at least come up to the same amount, or maybe a little bit more,' said Fandal. A 1.5% annual step increase from years one to 30, increased degree pay and even retirement contributions are just a few approved recommendations going forward. The chief adds just before the announcement, the department was short 10 officers, however since the news it's down to four. 'We just signed some papers to hire three new cadets, which will start in July. So as soon as this went out, we started seeing some people want to come to this agency. Even younger officers wanting to come on,' said Fandal. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office warns of deadly 'pink cocaine' Explaining this raise was a team effort. 'Working closely with the city council, the citizens helped the administration help. Everybody saw the need to bring the pay and the benefit package up and this allows us to keep working toward helping the other employees of the city,' said Fandal. Now, with a new building and pay raises coming, Fandal emphasizes what this means from a public safety standpoint. 'The citizens want a safe community and we're going to give them a say. We've been giving them a safe community for the last several years, many years. That we are going to have a fully staffed police department and a new building, exciting times,' said Chief Fandal. Fandal says the pay raise will go into effect on July play, 'Hurricane Party' showing in New Orleans this weekend Slidell Police Chief talks benefits of approved pay raise Hurricane Season 2025: A WGNO Special Program Trump administration unveils more detailed proposal for steep 2026 spending cuts Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office warns of deadly 'pink cocaine' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hurricane Season 2025: A WGNO Special Program
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — We are officially in storm season, and we should all be prepared. It's been 20 years since Hurricane Katrina's impact and storms continue to be part of the lives of people living along the coast. This WGNO special program covers topics such as this year's hurricane outlook, the Isle de Jean Charles Resettlement Project, coastal erosion, Hurricane Hunter missions and the story of New Orleans brass bands returning to the city after Hurricane Katrina. Impact of coastal erosion through Isle de Jean Charles Resettlement Project Here at WGNO, we want to make sure you are ready for 2025's storm season and WGNO's weather team has the predictions and the information to help you all season long. Join Hank Allen, Carrigan Chauvin and Natalie Parsons for this WGNO special report!Original play, 'Hurricane Party' showing in New Orleans this weekend Slidell Police Chief talks benefits of approved pay raise Hurricane Season 2025: A WGNO Special Program Trump administration unveils more detailed proposal for steep 2026 spending cuts Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office warns of deadly 'pink cocaine' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office warns of deadly ‘pink cocaine'
TANGIPAHOA PARISH, La. (WGNO) — Officials with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office are warning of a drug known as 'pink cocaine,' which has been associated with several recent suspected overdose deaths in the south end of the parish. According to the TPSO, in the seven days leading up to Friday, May 30, four people, ranging from 25 to 60-years-old died of suspected overdose, with 'pink cocaine,' also known as 'tusi,' being a common element in all four. Former Grand Isle councilman convicted of child sex abuse Officials say the drug is a pink powdery substance which, despite its colloquial name, doesn't actually contain cocaine and is dyed to be pink. Instead, the Drug Enforcement Agency clarifies that it is found to be made with Ketamine, MDMA (Ecstasy,) methamphetamine and fentanyl. The drug is known to result in a 'mind-altering' experience, with the TPSO warning that the version circulating in the area is proving to be highly fatal. While people should avoid all illegal drugs, the TPSO is hoping to raise awareness of this drug in particular, asking that anyone who encounters it refrain from using it and issue a report to the sheriff's Parish Sheriff's Office warns of deadly 'pink cocaine' Former Grand Isle councilman convicted of child sex abuse Several states call for tighter restrictions on SNAP benefits Woman killed in Metairie house fire President Trump gives Elon Musk an Oval Office send-off Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Additional arrests made in Tangipahoa Parish jailbreak case
TANGIPAHOA PARISH, La. (WGNO) —The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office has made additional arrests in connection to the escape of 22-year-old Tra'Von Johnson. According to the TPSO, 37-year-old Dameon Booth was located with Johnson in the Bennet Road area of Amite. He was arrested for principle to simple escape and aggravated escape. He also had outstanding warrants for burglary and theft. 28-year-old Trevon Wallace was rebooked following the escape for allegedly helping Johnson get over the fence. He has been charged with criminal damage to property following reported destructive behavior in his new cell. Eight inmates captured, two still at large following Orleans Parish jailbreak Wallace was transferred to Livingston Parish to await trial on charges that include aggravated assault with a firearm, theft, simple battery and resisting an officer back in February 2024. Before his escape, Johnson was awaiting trial for his alleged role in a 2020 home invasion that left a man dead, and the victim's child injured. He's charged with murder and attempted murder. Those who have additional information related to this case can call the TPSO's Criminal Investigations Division at 985-902-2088 or Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa at Jr. ends COVID shot recommendation for healthy kids, pregnant women Additional arrests made in Tangipahoa Parish jailbreak case President Trump appears to lose patience with Putin Authorities search Natchez area for New Orleans jail escapee Best Buy to open at midnight for Nintendo Switch 2 launch Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
