On January 14, 2013 Assistant District Attorney Carla Sigler argued a case before the Supreme Court for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office and the state of Louisiana.

On April 29, 2013, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Louisiana v. Boyer in favor of the state.

Jonathan Boyer faced a first degree murder charge in 2002, but that was amended in 2007 to second degree murder and armed robbery, taking the death penalty off the table.

Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Killingsworth convicted Boyer on the amended charges. The defendant blamed the state for the delay in his case, stating funding for attorney fees and investigations was not provided. During the argument, Justice Samuel Alito pointed out that the initial defense attorney for Boyer filed numerous continuances, causing delays.

The Supreme Court ruled that Boyer's writ was "improvidently" granted and was dismissed.

Sigler is the first Assistant District Attorney in Calcasieu Parish to win a Supreme Court case. Sigler received help from the faculty and students of the George Mason University School of Law Supreme Court Clinic and from Tom McCarthy and associates at Wiley Rein LLP.

"Without their assistance, the State would not have been able to prevail in this difficult case," said Sigler. "They thoroughly researched the issues involved, prepared and filed a comprehensive and exemplary brief, and helped prepare the State's prosecutor (Sigler) for the daunting challenge of oral argument. The Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office is very thankful for these valiant efforts."

Assistant District Attorney Tony Fazzio was recently sworn in by District Attorney John DeRosier. Fazzio is now a misdemeanor attorney for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office.

After graduating from Louisiana State University with a degree in Biological Sciences, Fazzio graduated with honors from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law School in 2010. Prior to joining the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office, Fazzio worked for a regional law firm representing lending institutions in the area of mortgage banking law.

Fazzio is a Lake Charles, LA native and a graduate St. Louis Catholic High School.

On April 24, 2013, John Wesley Billiot was sentenced to 88 years in the Department of Corrections.

On January 28, 2013, Billiot entered a No Contest plea to two counts of armed robbery, two counts of armed robbery with a firearm, three counts of aggravated battery and one count of obscenity. Judge Michael Canaday sentenced Billiot to 70 years on each count of armed robbery to run concurrent with each other; five years on each count of armed robbery with a firearm to run concurrent with each other, but consecutive to the armed robbery; five years on two counts of aggravated battery to run concurrent; ten years on an additional count of aggravated battery to run consecutive; and three years on the one count of obscenity to run consecutive. 
Assitant District Attorney Tara Hawkins prosecutd the case, and Assistant District Attorney Hope Wyatt handled the sentencing.  

On April 1, 2013, Darlene Idell Sias entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of manslaughter. Sias was charged with second degree murder in the December 2011 death of her husband, Joseph John Sias.

Assistant District Attorney Rick Bryant prosecuted the case and accepted the plea with the consent of the victim’s family. Sias’s sentencing is set for April 17, 2013. She faces up to 40 years in prison.

On March 13, 2013, Judge Clayton Davis sentenced William Anthony Landry to ten (10) years with the Department of Corrections. Landry pleaded guilty on December 10, 2012 to one count of Pornography Involving Juveniles. Landry is currently serving 300 months in federal prison. Judge Davis ordered for the ten year sentence to be served consecutive to his current federal prison term. 

Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Blake prosecuted the case for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office. 

On March 14, 2013, Lawrence Dicks, Jr. was sentenced to 24 years in the Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to three (3) counts of Distribution/Possession of CDS II (Cocaine) with intent. Dicks entered a guilty plea on January 29, 2013 before Judge Michael Canaday. Judge Canaday sentenced him to 24 years on each count to run concurrent.

Assistant District Attorney Brett Gaspard prosecuted the case for the Combined Anti-Drug Taskforce (C.A.T. Team) Division of the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office. 

On March 13, 2013, Barry Welton Thomas was sentenced to five (5) years in prison, with three of those years suspended. 

On September 24, 2012, Thomas pleaded guilty to second degree battery against two people in June of 2009.

Judge Davis also ordered that Thomas pay $200,000 in restitution to the victims and serve five years of probation following his release from prison. 

Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Blake prosecuted the case for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office. 

On March 13, 2013, Judge Clayton Davis sentenced Wilson Locke to life in prison without the benefit of parole.

A jury found Wilson Locke guilty of Second Degree Murder on March 6,2013. Locke was convicted in the May 2005 murder of a family member.

Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Blake prosecuted the case for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office with the help of First Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Killingsworth.

On February 14, 2013, Judge Ron Ware found Gabe McKeel, Jr. guilty of aggravated rape, aggravated burglary and second degree battery. McKeel was found guilty of breaking into a DeQuincy home on January 28, 2012, raping an elderly woman and taking items from her home.

McKeel previously waived his right to a jury trial.

Judge Ware set sentencing for March 1, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. First Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Killingsworth prosecuted the case for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office.

On February 4, 2013, Sheldon Edward Parker entered a guilty plea to forty (40) counts of aggravated incest for incidents that occurred between January 1, 2008 and August 31, 2011. Parker pled guilty to all counts he was charged with.  Assistant District Attorney David Palay prosecuted the case and accepted the plea with the consent of the victim. Parker’s sentencing is set for August 9, 2013.

On February 1, 2013, Judge G. Michael Canaday sentenced Gerald Brent Debarge to three (3) years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections; however, he suspended one (1) year.  Judge Canaday also ordered Debarge to serve six months concurrent in the parish jail for resisting an officer. Upon completion, Debarge will be on supervised probation for two (2) years. Judge Canaday denied two defense motions of acquittal and a new trial. 

On January 24, 2013, a jury found Gerald Brent Debarge guilty of injuring or killing a police animal. Debarge was convicted of injuring a police canine on August 14, 2012 while officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant.

Judge Michael Canaday also found Debarge guilty of resisting an officer during the same incident. Debarge is being held without bond until his sentencing which is set for February 1 at 9:00 a.m.

Assistant District Attorney Tara Hawkins prosecuted the case with the help of Assistant District Attorney Hope Wyatt.

On January 22, 2013, Efrem O'gwin entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of attempted second degree murder in the June 2011 death of an 18-month-old. Judge Wilford Carter sentenced O'gwin to 35 years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections. Assisitant District Attorney Lori Nunn prosecuted the case for the Severe Child Abuse division of the District Attorney's Office. 

Nunn says the state appreciates Judge Carter taking the offer, and the victim's family agreed with the resolution of the case.

On January 14, 2013 Assistant District Attorney Carla Sigler argued a case before the United States Supreme Court. The case, Louisiana v. Boyer, deals with defendant Jonathan Boyer who faced a capital first degree murder charge in 2002.

In 2007 that charge was amended from first degree murder to second degree murder and armed robbery, removing capital punishment as a potential penalty. This case was tried by First Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Killingsworth, and a conviction of second degree murder and armed robbery was obtained.

Boyer complained about the delay in his case and blamed the state for failing to provide funding for attorney fees and investigations. During Monday morning’s arguments, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito pointed out that the initial defense lawyer for Boyer filed continuances in the case numerous times causing the trial to be delayed.

Assistant District Attorney Hugo Holland attended the arguments with Sigler.

A ruling is not expected for several months.

On January 8, 2013, Carl Webb Jr. entered a guilty plea to manslaughter in the February 2009 murder of Helen Webb. Judge Clayton Davis sentenced Webb to twelve (12) years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections, concurrent with his current term of sixty-five (65) years in prison on weapon charges. Assistant District Attorney John Blake prosecuted the case.

On October 9, 2012, Heather Daughdrill entered a guilty plea to Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile. Judge Ron Ware accepted the plea and sentenced Daughdrill to serve five (5) years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections, all but one (1) year suspended. Judge Ware placed Daughdrill on five (5) years active supervised probation upon her release from incarceration with numerous special conditions. Daughdrill will be required to register as a Sex Offender. Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Guillory prosecuted the case.

On September 18, 2012, Judge Ronald Ware revoked Brandy Hardman’s probation and imposed the original sentence.  She was also convicted of additional theft and drug related offenses.  Judge Ware ordered her to serve a total of six (6) years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections.  Judge Ware also banned Hardman from returning to Prien Lake Mall for life. 

On September 19, 2012, Judge Ware sentenced Darrell Welcome to serve a total of ten (10) years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections for four (4) felony offenses.

These defendants victimized not only local stores, but also their customers, who end up paying higher prices as a result of shoplifters. District Attorney John DeRosier and the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office will make every effort to prosecute, convict, and seek prison time for those who make a living by stealing from others.

On August 24, 2012, Judge David Ritchie sentenced Robyn Davis and Carol Saltzman to life in the Louisiana Department of Corrections, without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.  On May 10, 2012, a jury found Robyn Davis and Carol Saltzman guilty of Second Degree Murder.  Assistant District Attorney Rick Bryant prosecuted the case.  Davis and Saltzman were convicted of the 2009 death of Brian Davis.

On August 24, 2012, Lilly Young entered a guilty plea to Aggravated Second Degree Battery. Judge David Ritchie accepted her guilty plea and sentenced Young to serve fifteen (15) years in Louisiana Department of Corrections; however, all but three (3) years were suspended. Upon release from incarceration, Young will be on five (5) years active supervised probation with numerous special conditions. Assistant District Attorney David Palay prosecuted the case. Young’s conviction was the result of an incident that occurred on May 5, 2012, in which she committed a battery with a beer bottle.

On August 2, 2012, Judge Wilford Carter found Adrian Harvey, formerly of Westlake, guilty of Home Invasion and Aggravated Battery. Judge Carter sentenced Harvey to fifteen (15) years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections. Assistant District Attorneys Brent Hawkins and Lawrence Babineaux prosecuted the case.

Harvey’s conviction stems from an incident that occurred at a Vinton residence in 2010. Kentrell Williams, Harvey’s co-defendant, entered an Alford plea to Attempted Home Invasion in January 2011. Judge Carter sentenced Williams to eight (8) years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections.

On July 27, 2012, Judge Ron Ware sentenced Bryce Perkins to life in the Louisiana Department of Corrections without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. In February 2011, a jury found Perkins guilty of Second Degree Murder in the 2009 shooting death of Daniel Gueringer. Assistant District Attorney Rick Bryant prosecuted the case.

On May 21, 2012, Donald McDaniel, previously of Westlake, entered guilty pleas to six (6) counts of Theft over $1,500. Judge Clayton Davis accepted his guilty plea and ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation. On July 27, 2012, Judge Davis sentenced McDaniel to ten (10) years on each of the first four (4) counts to run concurrently and ten (10) years on the last two (2) counts to run consecutively, for a total of twenty (20) years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections. Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Blake prosecuted the case. McDaniel defrauded his victims into paying him for mobile home trailers that he did not own.

District Attorney John DeRosier was recently elected President of the Louisiana District Attorneys’ Association. District Attorney DeRosier will proudly serve with two of his employees. Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Clay Guillory was elected President of the Assistant District At...torneys’ Board of Directors and Megan Dougherty was elected President of the District Attorney Investigators’ Board of Directors.

The mission of the Louisiana District Attorneys’ Association is to improve Louisiana’s justice system and the office of the District Attorney by enhancing the effectiveness and professionalism of Louisiana’s District Attorneys and their staffs through education, legislative involvement, liaison, and information sharing.

On June 26, 2012, Judge Wilford Carter found Antonio Hadnot guilty of Armed Robbery and sentenced him to ten (10) years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections. Hadnot’s conviction stems from a robbery that occurred at a Lake Charles barber shop in 2010. Hadnot’s co-defendant, Chad Parker, previously entered a guilty plea to First Degree Robbery. The third defendant, Louis Miles, is scheduled for trial in the near future. Assistant District Attorney Brent Hawkins prosecuted the case.

On May 23, 2012, a jury found Freddie Lassin, formerly of Vinton, guilty of Distribution of Cocaine (5 counts). On June 15, 2012, Judge Clayton Davis sentenced Lassin to thirty (30) years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections on each count of Distribution to run concurrently. Assistant District Attorney Brett Gaspard prosecuted the case.

On June 14, 2012, Judge Clayton Davis found Clifton Forest Law, of Lake Charles, guilty of Driving While Intoxicated (Second Offense). Judge Davis sentenced Law to six (6) months in the parish jail; all but 21 days suspended, and placed Law on supervised probation with special conditions. Law was arrested on July 17, 2011, by Louisiana State Police.... At the time of his arrest, Law’s Blood Alcohol Content was .172g%, more than twice the legal limit. Law was previously convicted of a DWI in 2006 and currently has a DWI pending in Lake Charles City Court. Assistant District Attorney Marcus Myers prosecuted the case.
District Attorney John DeRosier and the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office will continue to use every resource available to keep the streets of Calcasieu Parish safe from those who choose to drive while impaired.

On June 13, 2012, Judge Clayton Davis sentenced Carl Webb, Jr. as a Habitual Offender. Judge Davis ordered Webb to serve sentences totally sixty-five (65) years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections. On April 11, 2012, a jury found Webb guilty of Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon and Possession of a Stolen Firearm (3 counts). Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Blake prosecuted the case.

On June 13, 2012, Judge Clayton Davis sentenced Charles Bergeron, previously of Westlake, on numerous sex offenses. Bergeron’s sentences total 120 years in the Department of Corrections, to run consecutive with a ten (10) year sentence he is currently serving for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. On April 17, 2012, Bergeron entered guilty pleas to twelve (12) counts of Indecent Behavior of a Juvenile (7 years on each count); twelve (12) counts of Oral Sexual Battery (10 years on each count); and Second Degree Sexual Battery (15 years). Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Guillory prosecuted the case.

On May 23, 2012, Judge D. Kent Savoie sentenced David Nelson to thirty (30) years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections. On March 22, 2012, a jury found Nelson guilty of Manslaughter. Assistant District Attorney David Kimball prosecuted the case. Nelson was convicted of the 2009 death of Chad Heath.

On September 26, 2011, David Iburg entered a guilty plea to Forcible Rape. Judge David Ritchie accepted his guilty plea and scheduled Sentencing for January 6, 2012. Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Guillory prosecuted the case.

District Attorney John DeRosier and the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office will continue to use every resource available to keep dangerous predators off the streets of Calcasieu Parish.

On February 17, 2012, Robert Stanley entered a guilty plea to two (2) counts of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile. On April 25, 2012, Judge Clayton Davis sentenced Robert Stanley to twenty-five years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections on each count to run consecutively, for a total of fifty (50) years. Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Guillory prosecuted the case. 

 On January 23, 2012, Obey entered a guilty plea to two (2) counts of Attempted First Degree Murder. On March 21, 2012, Judge Clayton Davis sentenced Obey to fifty (50) years in the Louisiana Department of Corrections on each count. Judge Davis ordered Obey’s sentences to run concurrently, without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Blake prosecuted the case.