1 Ida B. Wells, “Lynch Law in All Its Phases,” 1893. http://www.blackpast.org/1893-ida-b-wells-lynch-law-all-its-phases.
Chapter 1: Loretta
1 http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Louisiana/fish_white_perch.html.
2 Interview with Jerry Jackson, December 21, 2011.
3 http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/22/22053.html.
4 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Incident Report #2005050144, May 20, 2005.
5 Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office and Forensic Facility, Terry Welke, MD, Autopsy Report, Case #CPCO-095-2005; May 23, 2005.
6 Interview with Barb Ann Deshotel, August 23, 2014.
7 Data on Lake Arthur from US Census Bureau: https://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=kf7tgg1uo9ude_&met_y=population&idim=place:2241050&hl=en&dl=en.
8 Interview with Murphy Lewis, July 21, 2011.
9 State of Louisiana v. Loretta Lynn Chaisson Lewis; Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case Number 2005-03-0110.
10 Ibid.
11 Doris Maricle, “New Jeff Davis Parish Jail One Step Closer to Reality,” American Press, June 17, 2013, http://www.americanpress.com/New-Jeff-Davis-Parish-Jail-one-step-closer-to-reality.
12 Welke, Autopsy Report, Case #CPCO-095-2005.
13 Ibid.
14 http://www.boudincapitaloftheworld.com/.
15 http://www.2theadvocate.net/louisiana_facts.php; and Bryan P. Piazza, The Atchafalaya River Basin: History and Ecology of an American Wetland (Texas A&M University Press, 2014).
16 Al Jazeera, “Future of Louisiana Community Uncertain as Chemical Plant Expands, March 28, 2014,” http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/the-stream/the-stream-officialblog/2014/3/28/future-of-louisianacommunityuncertainaschemicalplantexpands.html.
17 Louisiana Bucket Brigade, “Citgo Petroleum Accidents,” http://rav.labucketbrigade.org/map.php.
18 Letter/flyer from Robert S. Mueller III, FBI Director: “Seeking Information: Murder Victims, Jennings, Louisiana, Area. A Multi-Agency Investigative Team led by the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office in Jennings, Louisiana, is seeking information regarding the murders of eight women: Loretta Lynn Chaisson Lewis, Ernestine Daniels Patterson, Kristen E. Gary Lopez, Whitnei Charlene Dubois, Laconia Shontell Brown, Crystal Shay Benoit Zeno, Brittney Gary and Necole Guillory. The victims, who range from 17 to 30 years old, were found deceased in and around the Jennings area from May 2005 through August 2009.”
19 Sheila Smith, “Cassidy, Miller Face Public Forum,” Jennings Daily News, October 10, 2014. Cassidy’s full remarks: “We certainly don’t have any inpatient treatment here. . . . Drugs account for eighty to eighty-five percent of our cases.”
20 Kadi Hanes, “116 Pounds of Marijuana Found after Traffic Stop,” KPLC-TV, December 22, 2011.
21 Lee Peck, “Authorities Make Arrests in Largest Anti-Drug Operation in History of Southwest Louisiana,” KPLC-TV, May 5, 2014.
22 Theresa Schmidt, “Jennings Women Turn Out for Self-Defense Seminar,” KPLC-TV, November 26, 2008.
23 “Jennings Press Conference on Mystery Murders,” KPLC-TV, December 18, 2008, http://www.kplctv.com/story/9550151/jennings-press-conference.
Text of December 18, 2008, Taskforce press conference:
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the formation of a Multi-Agency Investigative Team. This team is composed of law enforcement agents from many different agencies. They will work full-time on the investigations of the seven women who have been found dead in our community over the last three and a half years. Since May of 2005, when Loretta Lewis was found off of LA 1126, the members of this task force worked to trace Loretta’s whereabouts and find out what happened to her. Since that time and when we have found the other six victims, these dedicated men and women have worked tirelessly to determine who is responsible for their deaths and why.
Many man-hours over the years have been logged and every law enforcement agency in this area from local to national has assisted. To the many people who have already assisted, I say, “Thanks.” The formation of this group today will allow eight to ten people to work full-time and exclusively to these cases. We will continue to search for leads, follow those leads and tips that we receive, and act upon those leads aggressively utilizing every resource that is available to us. The citizens of Jennings, Jefferson Davis Parish, State of Louisiana, and the United States of America have our word on that.
We have opened a new work center where tips can be called in. Our collective hope is that our community will take note of their surroundings, report suspicious behavior, and if they know for fact the reasons why these young ladies of our community have died, to come forward and give that information to this Investigative Team, so that we can bring the individual or individuals to justice. The number to call is 337-824-6662. We will soon be opening a website that will give information about these young ladies and will allow you to report information via the Web.
I would like to thank the media for their coverage of these deaths. Sometimes opinions differ as to what and why things are happening. Please understand that I will never speculate or give you my opinion on what is going on in these cases. I will always give you the facts that I have, and only if those facts will not compromise the investigation or the future prosecution of these cases. We are not here to speculate; we are and have taken an oath to investigate fully and uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States, State of Louisiana, Parish of Jefferson Davis, and the City of Jennings. This isn’t to say that speculation is not used in law enforcement, but the primary basis for decision making will be based on fact.
Our united concern and mission has been and will always be to catch the killer or killers responsible for taking the lives of seven of our citizens, who were daughters, sisters, friends, and some of them mothers in our community. I ask you the media to continue to help us put out the facts of the cases, not to speculate or sensationalize, and to quickly put out the information when we ask you.
You have all asked whether or not this is a serial killer. The facts that we currently have do not allow me at this time to say with certainty that these cases are all linked. We are working on them individually and collectively. I caution you that the term serial killer is complicated and conjures images based on “Hollywood shows” of a frightening-looking maniac. However, most of the time, the offender or offenders in a serial case end up looking as normal as you and me, the typical guy next door. So, when we ask you to call in with information or tips, keep in mind that whoever is responsible for some—if not all—of these cases is likely someone who lives in this community or at least visits here and is familiar with the area. Sadly, we need to look to the right and left of us. It could be someone’s uncle or father, and that is what is painful for our community. I will always give you the facts and pray that you assist us and not speculate.
We will continually try to educate our community on what behavioral characteristics to look for. We know with cases like this which have occurred in the United States, this type of offender will have attempted to approach, even hurt, other women, but those women got away or maybe didn’t even realize they were in jeopardy or at risk. We know that the offender or offenders has made mistakes. We are holding that information close to the investigation. Although this person looked “normal,” there was likely something about him that caused concern. Maybe you described it as the “creep factor.” This is someone we believe comes across as somewhat arrogant as well. If you have had an experience like this, we want you to please come forward and talk to us. Please don’t shrug off an event and just say, “Oh, that was nothing.” Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. Let law enforcement make that call.
Do you know someone who is:
Superficially glib and charming
Self-confident
Appears nonthreatening initially
Physically strong—not to be confused with someone who works out every day at the gym
Frequents the area where the girls go missing from
Quick to anger especially if rejected
Lures girls with alcohol and drugs—crack cocaine
May have a formal criminal record involving assaultive behavior with a knife and may include burglary
May not necessarily have a violent criminal history
Our community is hurting and grieving the deaths of seven women. We ask your media audience to pray for our community and for the souls of our seven citizens. Our investigative team only wants the truth. Once we get the truth, then we can bring the individual or individuals to justice.
Our team is comprised of very experienced investigators from eight separate agencies, local, state, and federal. These men and women have years of experience in working very complicated cases, some of which are serial investigators. Most of these law enforcement officers live in our community or have family that live in our community. We are all anxious to solve these cases and bring those responsible to justice.
I also currently have the commitment of every sheriff in the State of Louisiana and the LA Sheriff’s Association task force to provide manpower as needed during this investigation.
Again, to report information on the deaths of Loretta, Ernestine, Kristen, Whitnei, Muggy, Shay, and Brittney, please call 337-824-6662. If you are being stalked, harassed, or followed, please call 911 immediately and report it. Jennings and Jefferson Davis Parish will survive these tragic events. My hope and prayer is that we will also grow together as a community, continue to work together, and bring those responsible to justice.
24 October 28, 2009, Taskforce press conference text:
Members of the team investigating the eight deaths in Jeff Davis Parish held a press conference Wednesday morning in Jennings.
The press conference was held to update the details of the investigation, and to announce an increase of the reward that is being offered.
The reward for information that leads to the arrest and successful prosecution of the person responsible for the murders has been increased from $35,000 to $85,000. The reward money is being offered by the Jeff Davis Parish District Attorney’s Office, the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.
Below is the text of the press conference from the Jeff Davis parish task force:
“The agencies comprising the Multi-Agency Investigative Team have called you here today to provide you with an update regarding where we are in the investigation, to give you facts as we have them, and to announce an increase in the reward that is being offered. We will take no questions today and we thank you for your continued efforts to release factual information, not opinions or gossip.
“Representatives of each agency of the Investigative Team are here and will provide you with information regarding their involvement in this investigation. Although all agencies are independent, each has made all of its resources available in support of other Investigative Team agencies as needed.
“I would like to introduce you to Special Agent in Charge David Welker, FBI, New Orleans Office; Captain Barry Branton, LA State Police; Calcasieu Parish sheriff Tony Mancuso; Jennings police chief Johnny Lassiter; Acadia Parish sheriff Wayne Melancon; Director of Investigations Mike Thompson, Louisiana Department of Justice.
“As you know, there are other agencies involved in this investigation that could not be here with us today. There are also many people behind the scenes who work on this case twenty-four/seven along with us here in Jennings.
“This investigation pertains to the murders of Loretta Lewis, Ernestine Daniels Patterson, Kristen Gary Lopez, Whitnei Dubois, Laconia ‘Muggy’ Brown, Crystal Benoit Zeno, Britt-ney Gary, and Necole Guillory. I use the term murder because we are treating them all as murders unless we can prove otherwise. As we have stated in previous releases, it is the collective opinion of all agencies involved in this investigation that these murders may have been committed by a common offender. For that reason, the label serial murder is applicable; however, we have not used that label when referring to this investigation because it does not benefit us in our goals to identify and apprehend the offender, nor does it prevent further loss of life. Labels are sometimes confusing and are subject to misinterpretation.
“A number of individuals have been considered possible suspects or persons of interest in the course of this investigation. None of these people have been ruled out completely, and they continue to be on the Investigative Team’s ‘radar.’ At this time, we do not have a particular suspect who we are focusing on exclusively; therefore we will continue to consider other suspects.
“This investigation is ongoing. Investigators have followed nearly one thousand leads, interviewed approximately five hundred people, and fielded countless telephone calls providing information on these cases. Some of the information received in the course of this investigation has lead to progress in other unrelated cases such as narcotic and burglary cases.
“All available resources from our federal, state, and local agencies have been continuously applied in the investigation of these murders.
“The reward for information that leads to the arrest and successful prosecution of the person responsible for these murders has been increased from thirty-five thousand dollars to eighty-five thousand dollars. The reward money is being offered by the Jefferson Davis Parish District Attorney’s Office, the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI. Lamar Advertising has partnered with us to use electronic and paper billboards in SW Louisiana.
“There have been more than forty-eight thousand investigative hours logged in this case. We are working collectively as a team with the shared and mutual goals of bringing closure for the families of Loretta, Ernestine, Kristen, Whitnei, Muggy, Shay, Brittney, and Necole and bringing the responsible party to justice. Additionally, since November 2008, the Investigative Team has been tasked to find approximately thirty females who were reported missing.
“Collectively, law enforcement has been working on these cases for over four years. Investigators have covered and then rechecked leads upon entering them into the FBI’s lead-management system. Investigations of this type make up less than one percent of all crimes. They are complex, arduous, and time-consuming. The Investigative Team members have worked around the clock, sometimes spending many days and nights away from their families to do so. I want to personally thank all of the men and women who have worked extremely hard and will continue to work hard until this case is successfully resolved. I would also like to thank the families of these men and women who support their law enforcement members.
“As I previously mentioned, all of these independent agencies are joined in support of the investigation centered at the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office. We speak with one voice and will bring the offender to justice as one team. The complete facts and evidence gathered thus far are only known to law enforcement. The integrity of this investigation must not be compromised by disclosing evidence and/or other investigative results.
“We ask that the public contact the Investigative Team with any facts, suspicions, or other information about these crimes. We want the public to understand that the Investigative Team is the only appropriate recipient of such information. We are aware of others who have represented themselves as cooperating with the Investigative Team in the investigation; such is not the case. We are unable to confirm whether all information is being relayed. Reporting case information to individuals who are not members of the Investigative Team could delay or even prevent that information from being acted upon. This could result in irreparable harm to the investigation, and possibly in further loss of life.
“Our other partners in this investigation are you, the citizens of Jennings, Jefferson Davis Parish, and all of the surrounding towns and parishes. We have had a tremendous response from the public and we ask for your continued support. If you have any information on any of these cases, or that you think may be helpful to the investigation, please call. Even if you think your information is unimportant, or that someone else has reported what you know, please contact us. Your call may be the one that helps us to solve these cases. Our tip line is 337-824-6662, our website is www.jeffdaviscrimes.net. Thank you.”
25 Letter/flyer from Mueller, “Seeking Information.”
26 October 28, 2009, Taskforce press conference text.
27 Marty Briggs, “Does Jeff Davis Parish Have a Serial Killer?” KPLC-TV, http://www.kplctv.com/story/9307177/does-jeff-davis-parish-have-a-serial-killer.
28 CNN Newsroom, rush transcript, September 27, 2009, http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0909/27/cnr.03.html.
29 Campbell Robertson, “8 Deaths in a Small Town, and Much Unease,” New York Times, January 1, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/02/us/02serial.html?_r=0.
30 Mike Pearlstein, “Jennings 8: Unsolved Murders Haunt Town, Police,” WWL-TV, January 30, 2014.
31 Jill Leovy, “The Underpolicing of Black America,” Wall Street Journal, January 23, 2015, http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-underpolicing-of-black-america-1422049080.
32 Jim Polk, “DNA Test Strengthens Atlanta Child Killings Case,” September 6, 2010. http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/06/09/williams.dna.test/.
33 Brad Hamilton, “After Up to 17 Victims, Cops Still Can’t Find the Gilgo Beach Killer,” the New York Post, January 3, 2015.
34 Jeremy Tanner, “New Shannan Gilbert Autopsy Reveals ‘Disturbing’ Findings in Gilgo Beach Case, Medical Examiner Says,” PIX 11, February 12, 2016, http://pix11.com/2016/02/12/new-shannan-gilbert-autopsy-reveals-disturbing-findings-in-gilgo-beach-case-medical-examiner-says/; and Joseph Goldstein, “Ex–Suffolk County Police Chief’s Arrest Comes amid a Broader Federal Inquiry,” the New York Times, January 3, 2016.
35 Interview with Louis Schlesinger, January 28, 2012.
36 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office incident report, #200590170, September 24, 2005.
37 Interview of Muggy by Detective Danny Semmes, July 7, 2005.
38 Interview of Melissa Daigle, July 12, 2011.
39 Interview of Ricky Edwards, December 19, 2011.
Chapter 2: Boom and Bust
1 Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, “History of Calcasieu Parish,” http://www.cppj.net/index.aspx?page=218.
2 http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2000/05/edwin_edwards_guilty_ex-govern.html; New Orleans Times-Picayune staff, “Edwin Edwards Guilty; Ex-Governor Faces Forfeiture of Millions, Long Jail Term,” the Times-Picayune, May 10, 2000.
3 Scott Lewis, eleven-part series, “The Zigler Legacy,” Jennings Daily News, April 6, 2011, http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2011/04/archive-6734/.
4 Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Databases, Tables & Calculators by Subject; Louisiana.”
5 Economic Innovation Group, “Distressed Communities Index,” http://eig.org/dci/report.
6 New Orleans Times-Picayune staff, “Ex-Sheriff Seeks Pardon to Hunt,” New Orleans Times-Picayune, August 13, 1994.
7 Interview with Ginger Deshotel Reiley, April 9, 2014.
8 Ibid.
9 Interview with Ty Anthony Cornelius, March 30, 2014.
10 Richard Alan Breaux v. Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff, Court of Appeal of Louisiana, 3rd Circuit, February 5, 1997.
11 Interview with Mike Dubois, July 1, 2011.
12 Dirks et al. v. Ricky Edwards, US Western District Court of Louisiana, Civil Docket 2:93-CV-00810-JTT-APW.
13 “Mayor Advises South Cutting Residents to Change Address,” the Jennings Daily News, April 12, 2008, http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2008/04/archive-1106/.
14 Karen Bryant v. Dennis Fontenot, US Western District Court of Louisiana, Civil Docket 2:93-CV-1800-JTT-APW.
15 “Probable Cause? Police in Louisiana Harass Motorists and Seize Their Property for No Apparent Reason, Claiming It Is All Done in the War against Drug Trafficking,” Dateline NBC, August 22, 1997.
16 Gonzales et al. v. Darrell Pierce, US Western District Court of Louisiana, Civil Docket 2:96-CV-01335-JTT-APW.
17 “Probable Cause?,” Dateline NBC.
18 National Drug Strategy Network, “Louisiana Law Enforcement Stops Innocent Motorists and Seizes Their Property, Reports NBC’s ‘Dateline,’ ” February 1997, http://www.ndsn.org/FEB97/LOUSIANA.html.
19 Ibid.
20 Ibid.
Chapter 3: Lucky and LeDoux
1 “Ellender Murders Investigation,” Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Complaint #91-005805.
2 Ibid.
3 Interview with Huey Littleton, January 7, 2015.
4 Christopher Prudhomme suicide note, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office files, March 10, 1993.
5 “Statement of Littleton Witness” (name redacted), August 24, 1993.
6 Steve Sandlin, Unsolved Mysteries, http://unsolved.com/archives/steve-sandlin.
7 Michael Perlstein, “Search for Justice,” New Orleans Times-Picayune, June 4, 1998.
8 State v. Cisco, Supreme Court of Louisiana, decided December 3, 2003.
9 Lake Charles Police Department, Offense Report 97-55698, July 23, 1997.
10 “Wanted for Questioning: Triple Homicide at KK’s Grocery on July 6, 1997,” Violent Crimes Task Force, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.
11 Theresa Schmidt, “Cisco Sentenced to 90 Years in Prison,” KPLC-TV, March 26, 2010.
12 Sulphur Police Department, Offense Report, October 22, 1997.
13 Ibid.
14 Taskforce witness, April 21, 2015, statement.
15 Interview with Arnold Benoit, February 1, 2014.
16 “Jennings Mayor Appoints New Police Chief,” KPLC-TV, undated news segment, http://www.kplctv.com/story/148093/jennings-mayor-appoints-new-police-chief.
17 Martha Amie et al. v. City of Jennings, Louisiana, Chief of Police Donald “Lucky” DeLouche, US Western District Court of Louisiana, CV-03-2011.
18 State v. Karam, Court of Appeal of Louisiana, 3rd Circuit, Case #02-0163, July 31, 2002.
19 Graham Winch, “Jennings Police Chief Resigns,” KPLC-TV, August 19, 2003.
20 “Delouche Appointed asst. Chief in Welsh,” Jennings Daily News, January 8, 2011. http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/2011/01/archive-6308/.
Chapter 4: Frankie
1 Interview with Frankie Richard, March 31, 2012.
2 Interview with Mike Dubois, July 1, 2011.
3 Eric Onstott, “Local Pain Clinic Doctor Has License Suspended,” Orange Leader, May 20, 2007.
4 Tom Aswell, “State Police Launch Internal Affairs Investigation of Troop D Commander after Public Records Requests by the Louisiana Voice,” Louisiana Voice, September 5, 2015, http://louisianavoice.com/2015/09/05/state-police-launch-internal-affairs-investigation-of-troop-d-commander-after-public-records-requests-by-louisianavoice/.
5 Ibid.
6 Louisiana State Police, Bureau of Investigations, Western District Detectives, Case #WDD004505, “Police Involved Shooting, Jefferson Davis Parish.”
7 State of Louisiana, Parish of Jefferson Davis, 31st Judicial Court, Negligent Homicide Case against John Briggs Becton, July 9, 2005.
8 Andrew Siff, “Grand Jury Declines to Indict NYPD Officer in Eric Garner Choke Hold Death,” NBC 4 New York, December 4, 2014, http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Grand-Jury-Decision-Eric-Garner-Staten-Island-Chokehold-Death-NYPD-284595921.html; and Monica Davey and Julie Bosman, “Protests Flare after Ferguson Police Officer Is Not Indicted,” the New York Times, November 24, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/25/us/ferguson-darren-wilson-shooting-michael-brown-grand-jury.html.
Chapter 5: Ernestine
1 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case Summary Report, Case Number 2005-06-00111, June 18, 2005.
2 Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office and Forensic Facility, Case CPCO-116-2005; Name: Ernestine Patterson; Date of Examination: June 18, 2005; Time of examination: 10:15 a.m.
3 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case Summary Report, Case Number 2005-06-00111, June 18, 2005.
4 Interview with Jessica Daniels, July 11, 2011.
5 State of Louisiana, Parish of Jefferson Davis, Conspiracy to Commit Forcible Rape Case against Laconia Shontell Brown, Lawrence Nixon and Jarriel L. Palfrey. CR-114-06.
6 Affidavit of Rosalyn Breaux, March 27, 2006.
7 State of Louisiana, Parish of Jefferson Davis, Second Degree Murder Case against Byron Chad Jones and Lawrence Nixon, June 23, 2006.
8 Case Summary Report, Case Number 2005-06-00111, June 18, 2005.
9 Ibid.
10 Interview with Kirk Menard, July 1, 2011.
Chapter 6: Kristen
1 Interview with Roxanne Alexander, August 25, 2014.
2 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case Number 2007030140, March 18, 2007.
3 Autopsy of Kristen Gary Lopez by Richard Dupont, March 20, 2007.
4 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case Number 1999090114, September 14, 1999.
5 Interview with Nancy Gary, July 7, 2011.
6 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Investigations Division, Case Number 2007030140.
7 Interview with Frankie Richard, March 31, 2012.
8 Interview with Melissa Daigle, July 12, 2011.
Chapter 7: Whitnei
1 Interview with Mike Dubois, July 1, 2011; and Rebecca Loretta, “She Deserved Better,” Jennings Daily News, September 25, 2009.
2 Loretta, “She Deserved Better.”
3 State v. Whitnei Chalene Dubois, Case #5271-01-01.
4 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case Number 2006040077, April 8, 2006.
5 Interview with Brittany Jones, March 21, 2012.
6 Interview with Frankie Richard, July 13, 2011.
7 Interview with Scott Lewis, May 16, 2016.
8 Lee Peck, “Woman’s Body Discovered in Jeff Davis Parish,” KPLC-TV, May 12, 2007.
9 Interview with Frankie Richard and Brandon Wise, March 21, 2012.
10 Jennings Police Department files, Case #E-02456-07, May 14, 2007.
11 May 16, 2007, warrant for Frankie Richard, on second-degree murder charges, State of Louisiana, Parish of Jefferson Davis.
12 Interview with Frankie Richard, March 21, 2012.
13 Affidavit of Elizabeth Clemens, July 30, 2007, State of Louisiana, Parish of Jefferson Davis.
14 “Jennings Man Fatally Stabbed,” Jennings Daily News, July 26, 2007.
15 Interview with Scott Lewis, August 30, 2014.
Chapter 8: Gunter and Guillory
1 Louisiana State Police, Bureau of Investigation, Western District Detectives, Case #WDD00507-1, August 31, 2007.
2 Deposition of Lorritta Lacoste in Johnnie Thomas Gunter v. Jefferson Davis Parish, C-488-08, February 3, 2009.
3 Interview with Beth Trahan, February 17, 2016.
4 Lisa Allen v. Ricky Edwards, Mark Ivory, Terry [sic] Guillory, US Western District Court of Louisiana, 2:07-CV-01675-CMH.
5 Interview with Nina Ravey, March 4, 2015.
6 “Ewing, Ravey Respond to Arrests,” Jennings Daily News, December 22, 2007.
7 Audiotaped statements taken by Jesse Ewing, December 2007; and interviews with Jesse Ewing, July 8 and 9, 2011.
8 Louisiana Board of Ethics, “In the Matter of Warren Gary,” June 26, 2008, Opinion No. 2007-489.
9 Interview with Ricky Edwards, December 19, 2011.
10 “Jennings Man Booked on Seven Counts of Aggravated Rape,” KATC, November 3, 2015.
11 Deputy Terrie J. Guillory, “Whereabouts of Hanna, Month of March 2007,” July 11, 2007.
Chapter 9: “Death on Me”: Muggy, Crystal, and Brittney
1 Interview with Roxanne Alexander, August 25, 2014.
2 Alexandra Natapoff, written testimony for the US House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, and the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, July 19, 2007.
3 Radley Balko, “A Drug Informant Lied, SWAT Pounced, a Man Died,” the Washington Post, December 31, 2014.
4 Jennings Police Department, Complaint Card, Case #02-457-98C, February 14, 1998.
5 Interview with Marie Comeaux, August 21, 2014.
6 Interview with Gail Brown, July 7, 2011.
7 Interview with Bessie Brown, December 21, 2011.
8 Jennings Police Department, “Calls for Service Report,” Item #E-03034-8, May 29, 2008, signal: 30, homicide.
9 Interview with Scott Lewis, May 16, 2016.
10 Interview of South Andrew Street resident, December 19, 2011.
11 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #2008070145, July 17, 2008.
12 Semien-Lewis Mortuary, Jennings, LA, “Death Notice, Kenneth Patrick Drake, Sr., August 9, 1963–August 25, 2012.”
13 “Unsolved: Mystery in Jeff Davis Parish,” KPLC-TV, October 28, 2009.
14 Interview with Barb Ann Deshotel, August 23, 2014.
15 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case Number 2006010183, January 24, 2006.
16 Interview with Velvet Gary, August 24, 2011.
17 Louisiana State Police, Case #09-576.
18 Interview with Butch Gary, August 21, 2014.
19 Interview with Melissa Daigle, July 12, 2011.
20 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #2008110110, November 15, 2008.
21 Ibid.
22 Lee Peck, “Jennings Teen Identified as 7th Victim,” KPLC-TV, November 17, 2008, http://www.kplctv.com/story/9367809/jennings-teen-identified-as-7th-victim.
23 Tina Marie Macias, “Taskforce,” Daily Advertiser, December 25, 2008.
24 Interview with Frankie Richard, July 13, 2011.
25 Ricky Edwards, December 18, 2008, Taskforce press conference.
26 Letter/flyer from Mueller, “Seeking Information.”
27 Interview with Ramby Cormier/Taskforce witness interview with Cormier, April 23, 2015.
Chapter 10: The Undoing
1 Richard Alan Breaux v. Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff, Court of Appeals of Louisiana, 3rd Circuit, February 5, 1997.
2 Dina Temple-Raston, “Bulger’s Case Changed FBI’s Role with Informants,” NPR, September 1, 2008, http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94117338.
3 Michelle McPhee, “ ‘Whitey’ Bulger Defense Cites ‘Unholy Alliance’ of FBI Killers and Liars,” ABC News, August 5, 2013, http://abcnews.go.com/US/whitey-bulger-defense-cites-unholy-alliance-fbi-killers/story?id=19872366.
4 Brad Heath, “Exclusive: FBI Allowed Informants to Commit 5,600 Crimes,” USA Today, August 4, 2013.
5 Alexandra Natapoff, “Snitching: The Institutional and Communal Consequences,” Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, Paper 2004-24, November 2004, https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/images/asset_upload_file744_30623.pdf.
6 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #2009050064, May 22, 2009.
7 State of Louisiana, Parish of Jefferson Davis, Arrest Warrant for Frankie Richard, May 26, 2009.
8 Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office investigation of Paula Guillory, July 8, 2009.
9 Letter from Ricky Edwards, August 11, 2009.
10 Interview with Paula Guillory, January 24, 2014.
11 Interview with Frankie Richard, March 21, 2012.
12 Interview with Brittany Jones, March 21, 2012.
13 Michael Hill, Jennings Police Department, Incident Supplemental Report, #01-006281, September 30, 2001.
14 Jennings Police Department, Case #4241-02, June 12, 2002.
15 Interview with Barbara Guillory, July 9, 2011.
16 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #2009080173, August 19, 2009.
17 Acadia Parish Sheriff, Initial Police Report, Case 09-562, August 19, 2009.
18 Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office and Forensic Facility, Case #189-2009, August 20, 2009.
19 Brandon Richards, “Police, Investigator Swabbed for DNA in Jeff Davis Case,” KPLC-TV, December 28, 2009.
20 Sheriff Ricky Edwards, October 28, 2009, Taskforce press conference (page 227).
21 “Unsolved: Mystery in Jeff Davis Parish,” KPLC-TV, October 28, 2009.
22 Interview with Mike Dubois, July 1, 2011; and Lee Peck, “Dubois Transferred to Jeff Davis Parish Jail,” KPLC-TV, November 10, 2009.
23 Lee Peck, “Outspoken Jeff Davis Task Force Critic Speaks Out from Jail,” KPLC-TV, March 16, 2010.
24 Brandon Richards, “Violence in Jennings: Are Things Getting Worse?” KPLC-TV, January 9, 2010.
25 Crystal Price, “Jennings Police Investigating Shooting Death,” KPLC-TV, February 25, 2010.
26 Ibid.
27 Adam Hooper, “Lake Arthur Woman Stabbed in the Mouth,” KPLC-TV, June 14, 2010, http://www.kplctv.com/story/12647449/lake-arthur-woman-stabbed-in-the-mouth.
28 Campbell Robertson, “8 Deaths in a Small Town, and Much Unease,” the New York Times, January 1, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/02/us/02serial.html?_r=0.
29 Interview with Barb Ann Deshotel, August 23, 2014.
Chapter 11: “Frankie Richard’s Coming and Hell Is Coming with Him”
1 Interview with Frankie Richard, July 13, 2011.
2 “Jennings Man Arrested after Shooting, 1 Person Wounded,” KPLC-TV, April 1, 2011, http://www.kplctv.com/story/14364295/jennings-man-arrested-after-shooting-1-person-injured.
3 Interview with Scott Lewis, August 30, 2014.
4 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, “Administration,” http://www.jdpso.org/page.php?id=1&PHPSESSID=e10827b9044c1767d8165e4788e19bd5.
5 Doris Maricle, “Unsolved Deaths Priority for Candidates,” American Press, September 28, 2011.
6 Lee Peck, “Ivy Woods Voted New Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff,” KPLC-TV, October 22, 2011.
7 Interview with Joy Huvall, December 19, 2011.
8 Interview with Frankie Richard, March 21, 2012.
9 Interview with Joy Huvall, July 31, 2012.
10 E-mail from Kirk Menard to Ramby Cormier, May 10, 2012.
11 Interview with Ramby Cormier, April 23, 2015.
12 Semien-Lewis Mortuary, “Kenneth Patrick Drake, Sr., August 9, 1963–August 25, 2012.”
13 Ben Wallace, “An Inmate’s Final Struggle Caught on Video; Some Raising Questions about Death at Baton Rouge Jail,” Acadiana Advocate, April 19, 2015.
14 https://twitter.com/MiaFarrow/status/592368604395532288.
15 “Sentencing for Former Jennings Chief on Hold,” Associated Press, December 31, 2013.
16 Denver Brown, “Lassiter Sentenced to Five Years Hard Labor,” Jennings Daily News, June 24, 2014.
17 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Number 2008010131, January 22, 2008.
Chapter 12: “The Past Is the Past”
1 Ethan Brown, “Who Killed the Jeff Davis 8?” https://medium.com/matter/who-killed-the-jeff-davis-8-d1b813e13581.
2 Drew Grant, “Did the Jeff Davis 8 Inspire True Detective?” the New York Observer, February 25, 2014.
3 Campbell Robertson, https://twitter.com/campbellnyt/status/429419170812293120?lang=en.
4 Doris Maricle, “Authorities Identify Body Found in Lake Arthur,” American Press, February 2, 2014.
5 Ibid.
6 Interview with Crochet family member, March 22, 2012.
7 Sheila Smith, “Officials, Investigators Respond to New Coverage, Rumors about JD Eight,” Jennings Daily News, February 9, 2014.
8 Kevin Millican, September 28, 2011, e-mail to Ethan Brown.
9 Ivy Woods, Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff, “From the Desk of Sheriff Woods,” http://www.jdpso.org/message.php?id=4.
10 Ric Oustalet, March 28, 2014, Facebook post.
11 Theresa Schmidt, “Jeff Davis 8: Why A.G. Buddy Caldwell Doesn’t Intervene,” KPLC-TV, February 6, 2014, http://www.kplctv.com/story/24658592/jeff-davis-8-why-ag-buddy-caldwells-doesnt-intervene.
12 Sheila Smith e-mails to Ethan Brown, January 31, 2014.
13 “Rayne Police Investigate Shooting Death of 32-Year-Old Man and Other Acadiana Crime Blotter News,” the Acadiana Advocate, March 30, 2015.
14 KFLY, “Rayne Police Arrest Two Lafayette Men in Christopher Tent Homicide,” April 29, 2015, http://klfy.com/2015/04/29/rayne-police-arrest-two-lafayette-men-in-christopher-tent-homicide/.
Chapter 13: Coda: Boustany and the Boudreaux Inn
1 Phone call from Frankie Richard to Ethan Brown, June 25, 2012.
2 Lauren French, “Charles Boustany Slams IRS for ‘The Apprentice’ Parody,” Politico, September 6, 2013, http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/charles-boustany-irs-apprentice-parody-96397.html.
3 Jack Pandol, Communications Director, Congressman Charles W. Boustany Jr., MD, e-mail to Ethan Brown, May 16, 2016.
4 United States of America, State of Louisiana, Parish of Jefferson Davis, Commercial Lease and Option to Purchase between Tri-Tech Inc. and Justin Boudreaux.
5 Tri-Tech LLC, Charter Number 34807754K, registration date, June 25, 1999, Louisiana Secretary of State.
6 Jacqueline Granger as Independent Administratrix of the Estate of Justin Boudreaux v. Tri-Tech, LLC, Case #07-1392, State of Louisiana, Court of Appeal, 3rd Circuit.
7 Sunlight Foundation, House Staff Directory, http://staffers.sunlightfoundation.com/staffer/martin-p-guillory-1.
8 Paul Kedlinger, “Oilfield Manufacturer Begins New Facility in Duson,” Rayne-Acadian Tribune, October 3, 2013.
9 “Charles Boustany Jr. MD for Congress Inc.,” Schedule B (FEC Form 3), “Itemized Disbursements,” page 279 of 312, date of disbursement: June 1, 2015.
10 States News Service, “Governor Bobby Jindal Appoints Members to State Parks and Recreation Commission,” April 25, 2008.
11 Louisiana Secretary of State, Official Election Results, November 7, 2006.
12 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #1998100060, October 12, 1998.
13 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #1999120176, December 22, 1999.
14 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #2000120139, December 19, 2000.
15 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #20000010089, January 10, 2000.
16 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #2000005082, May 11, 2000.
17 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #2002020063, February 7, 2002.
18 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #2002030078, March 11, 2002.
19 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #2002040016, April 2, 2002.
20 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #2004080114, August 15, 2004.
21 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #2004120191, December 31, 2004.
22 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #2006040077, April 8, 2006.
23 Interview with Suzette Istre, March 31, 2015.
24 http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/member/53?print=true.
25 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAuPB54ObU8.
26 Interviews with Andrew Newman, spring of 2015.
27 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #20003070156, July 22, 2003.
28 Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Case #2001120206, December 27, 2001.
29 Interview with Martin P. Guillory, May 10, 2016.
Chapter 14: Whistle-Blower in White Robes
1 Interview with Raymond Mott, September 2, 2015.
2 Valerie Ponseti, “Motion to Terminate Raymond Mott Unanimously Carried by Lake Arthur Council,” KATC-TV, September 2, 2015.
3 Interview with Raymond Mott.
4 Laura Heller, “Four More Arrested in Lake Arthur Homicide,” KPLC-TV, March 2, 2015 (with May 1, 2015, update).
5 Nate Thayer, “Was Louisiana Cop Accused of Being KKK Fired for Objecting to Corrupt Police,” Vice, September 4, 2015, http://www.nate-thayer.com/was-louisiana-cop-accused-of-being-kkk-fired-for-objecting-to-corrupt-police/.
6 Interview with Trey Gordon, September 2, 2015.
7 Ray Marcantel, Chief of Police, Town of Lake Arthur, “Re: Termination Letter Dated August 28, 2015.”
Acknowledgments
1. Campbell Robertson, “Missouri City to Pay $4.7 Million to Settle Suit Over Jailing Practices,” The New York Times, July 15, 2016. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/16/us/missouri-city-to-pay-4-7-million-to-settle-suit-over-jailing-practices.html?_r=0.