On March 24, 2017, Dudley Melancon, 28, of Opelousas, was sentenced in 14th Judicial District Court, by Judge David Ritchie to life in prison without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. Melancon, a third time violent offender, was found guilty of 1st degree Robbery on August 31, 2016, for the robbery of a clerk for the Sulphur Water District. He was previously convicted for the 1st degree robbery of a truck stop casino in Opelousas in 2015 and a 2nd degree battery during a drug transaction in 2009.
Assistant District Attorney Ross Murray told the court at sentencing that these crimes weren't just any crime, these were crimes of violence where in each case the victim was placed in fear for their life.