Latest news with #OPSO
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Metairie man to serve 30 years for 2019, 2021 sex abuse crimes
JEFFERSON PARISH, La. (WGNO) — The Metairie man found guilty in May of drugging and sexually abusing teenagers, has been sentenced. On Thursday, June 12, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office announced 46-year-old Thomas Welty will serve 30 years in prison convicted of: Second-degree rape and trafficking children for sexual purposes involving one victim Indecent behavior with a juvenile Contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile Sexual battery of the other victim On May 20, Welty was found guilty of the crimes that happened between 2019 and 2021 with 15-year-old victims. Former OPSO employee arrested, accused of conspiring to bring drugs into Orleans Parish jail Court documents noted the abuse began during the 2019 Carnival season when Welty provided one victim with alcohol until she ultimately passed out. That's when he took her to his home and injected her with a 'highly addictive methamphetamine.' The encounter caused the victim to develop an addiction to the drug, documents noted. After raping her, Welty allowed two drug-dealing associates to do the same in exchange for narcotics (they have never been identified). During that same month, Welty had given a 'date rape' drug, GHB, to a second victim. She also passed out but woke up in the shower with Welty, according to court documents. It was also noted that the second victim rejected his sexual advances and left his house. During the trial, one victim's impact statement read: 17-year-old shot, killed in St. John the Baptist Parish 'I choose to forgive what you've done, but not for you,' the victim wrote. 'I'm forgiving you for myself, because at the end of the day I need to heal – not you. 'I was so grateful to learn that every seven years, every cell in your entire body is being replaced. And with that being said, how great is it to know that I will finally have a body you will have never touched.' In addition to the sentence, the judge ordered a stay-away order prohibiting any contact with the victims for the next 100 hundred years and for Welty to register as a sexual offender for the rest of his hanged from highway overpass in Juarez House passes DOGE cuts Comer launches probe into LA protests Air raid sirens sound across Israel following an Iranian missile attack on the country Metairie man to serve 30 years for 2019, 2021 sex abuse crimes Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Former OPSO employee arrested, accused of conspiring to bring drugs into Orleans Parish jail
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — A former Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office employee is in custody after allegedly conspiring to bring drugs into the jail. OPSO officials say 24-year-old Iyanna Carter reportedly made the plan with inmate 31-year-old Henry Sims. Man accused of stabbing girlfriend multiple times in Slidell Deputies said as a result, two inmates suffered non-fatal overdoses on May 30. Both were treated with several doses of Narcan and taken to a hospital where they recovered. The two are now back in deputy custody. OPSO Sheriff Susan Hutson said the arrest sends a clear message. 'We will not tolerate anyone, inside or outside our organization, who jeopardizes the safety and security of this facility. And, we are committed to accountability at every level and to protecting both our residents and our staff. I'm proud of the quick response by our Investigative Services Bureau and the Intelligence Division in identifying suspicious behavior and actions by a former employee and swiftly closing down this conspiracy to bring dangerous drugs into the jail,' said Hutson. OPSO officials said Carter has since been fired, and on June 12, she was arrested and booked into the Orleans Justice Center on felony charges of: Introduction of a controlled substance into a correctional facility (two counts) Malfeasance in office (two counts) Criminal conspiracy (two counts) NOPD officials release footage from officer-involved shooting incident OPSO Compliance and Accountability Director Major Silas E. Phipps, Jr. says the integrity of the facility depends on the integrity of those who work in it. 'This case is a reminder of why our internal controls and ongoing compliance efforts matter. When misconduct happens, we will investigate it and we will act on it,' said animals come out to play at Yellowstone National Park – but don't get too close How to watch military parade on Trump's birthday Body exhumed in hopes of solving 54-year-old Illinois mystery Omaha Bound: Inside the Men's College World Series Social Security COLA increase: Senior group issues projection, but warns of potential new 'problems' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Girlfriend Of Escaped Inmate Arrested For Alleged Role In Louisiana Jailbreak
The U.S. Marshals Service arrested 28-year-old Darriana Burton on Monday, accusing her of helping her boyfriend, convicted murderer Derrick Groves, escape from the Orleans Parish Justice Center. Burton, a former employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office (OPSO), faces felony charges of conspiracy to commit simple escape. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced Burton's arrest, stating, 'We will continue to pursue anyone and everyone who has aided and abetted these criminals. We will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you to the full extent of the law.' 'I'd like to thank the U.S. Marshals Service for executing our warrant for this woman,' she added, per Fox 4 KDFW. 'We will arrest all aiders and abettors, and we will eventually get Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves back to prison where they belong.' An arrest warrant was issued for Burton on May 27 after authorities confirmed she communicated with Groves, with whom she had an 'on-again, off-again relationship' for three years and is believed to be currently dating. An arrest affidavit states Burton coordinated contact between Groves and individuals outside the jail, sharing information related to the escape. Melaine Talia of the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation said, 'As I understand, just two days prior to the escape, Groves and his girlfriend had communication via the tablet that was issued through the Orleans Justice Center.' Talia added, 'I don't think [it's] surprising that someone would help an individual that has that violent history, and is known for using violence to get what he wants,' WDSU News reported. The tablets, introduced in February through the Smartcom program, allow inmates free 15-minute daily phone calls and 20-minute weekly video calls to reduce jail violence and improve quality of life, according to OPSO documents. Burton worked at OPSO from August 2022 to March 2023 but was fired for allegedly bringing contraband into the facility. In 2023, she faced charges of malfeasance and bringing contraband into jail, but the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office refused the charges after Burton completed a pretrial diversion program. The district attorney's office issued a statement explaining, 'The charges against Ms. Burton were thoroughly reviewed by a senior screening attorney, who considered all available evidence at that time, the specific conduct alleged, and Ms. Burton's lack of criminal history. Ms. Burton was ultimately offered, and successfully completed, a pretrial diversion program.' 'The contraband in question was not actually introduced into the secure area of the facility. According to the incident report, Ms. Burton left the contraband inside a bag at the facility entrance and did not follow through with delivery.' The statement added, 'As with all cases, our office's priority is to evaluate whether we can meet our legal burden of proof at trial, along with other relevant factors. The present matters remain under active review by the appropriate agencies. Any and all persons found to be complicit in the escape or in aiding escapees will be fully prosecuted and held accountable for their actions.' Groves and another inmate, Antoine Massey, remain at large. Brian Fair of the U.S. Marshals Office said, 'Our investigation continues, and they could be anywhere. They could be in New Orleans, or they could be out of the New Orleans area.' Talia emphasized, 'They are not going to give up; law enforcement is on it,' WDSU reported.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Alleged accomplice to murder given more charges
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Alleged accomplice in the murder of a Super Bowl reporter has been charged with 15 additional crimes. According to new information released June 10, 34-year-old Rickey White was given an additional 15 charges, including theft, money laundering, access device theft and conspiracy to commit fraud. Girlfriend of escaped New Orleans inmate Derrick Groves arrested: U.S. Marshals White is accused of assisting Danette Colbert in the alleged murder of Kansas City reporter Adam Manzano, who was in town to cover the Super preparing power grid for storms Controversy between Councilman and the OPSO over alleged jail keys Saints head coach Kellen Moore recaps first day of mandatory minicamp Alleged accomplice to murder given more charges Fines waived for those who self-deport, DHS says Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OPSO discusses funding needs for jail repairs with city council
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — During the special council meeting, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson insisted that the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office is in need of about $1 million to address plumbing concerns in the jail, including $300,000 to $400,000 for emergency repairs to fix immediate leaks behind the walls. According to a plumbing contractor brought in by Hutson, the leaks were slow at first, but a pressure change caused the pipes to burst. New Orleans jail escapee releases videos, prompting search of home where they were made, source says 'Some sort of a pressure increase or whatever blew out the o-ring out in this, and then it just started leaking through the chase and then throughout the entire building,' OPSO plumbing contractor Ernie Anderson said. The city council was hesitant to agree to hand over the money, questioning if the OPSO already has enough funds to cover this problem. At the meeting, Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack said that, after taking a look, Hutson has about $5 million of emergency funds before the city would need to step in. 'Yeah I think they would have plenty of dollars to do any major renovation,' Waguespack said. Councilman JP Morrell questioned the urgency for city money, saying he never received any notice of severe plumbing-related issues before now. Social media video appears to show escaped New Orleans inmate Antoine Massey pleading case 'I still don't have any estimates regarding plumbing issues. I understand emergent plumbing issues, but your words, what you've been saying is these are long standing plumbing issues the council has been aware of,' Morrell said. Hutson ultimately argued against his point, saying she has notified the council every step of the way about plumbing issues since the jail has been open. 'We have notified you every budget cycle, every chance we get up here that we have infrastructure issues and the plumbing been part of them. We didn't have this major leak until recently,' Hutson Orleans police searching for suspect in St. Claude art heist Three arrested in St. John Parish drug bust OPSO discusses funding needs for jail repairs with city council 'Blessing of the Fleet' ceremony held in New Orleans at start of Hurricane Season NORD Splash Day summer kickoff Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
