23. January 2026
Today, January 23rd, William Dennis, 27, Lake Charles, was found Guilty as Charged of Second Degree Murder; and Obstruction of Justice to Second Degree Murder. In 2023, Dennis planned an armed robbery. Once Dennis met with the victim to rob him, he fatally shot the victim in the head. Dennis faces a mandatory life sentence at hard labor without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Sentencing will be held before Judge Kendrick Guidry on March 17. First Assistant District...
14. January 2026
Yesterday, January 13th, Judge Michael Canaday sentenced Shirley L. Sawyer-Johnson, 41, Lake Charles, to 30 years in prison at hard labor for Manslaughter. In November of 2025, Sawyer pled guilty to Manslaughter during her ongoing trial. In January of 2025, Sawyer-Johnson fatally beat a three-month-old infant that was under her supervision. Chief of Litigation Charles Robinson and Assistant District Attorney David Guidry prosecuted the case for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office.
20. November 2025
On November 13th, James A. Lyons, 37, Lake Charles, was found guilty as charged of Home Invasion and Domestic Abuse Battery-3rd Offense. In May of 2025, Lyons broke into a home that his son was staying in. Once inside, he chased his son around the house and ultimately jumped on top of him while beating and choking him. Sentencing for Lyons will be held January 9, 2026 before Judge David Ritchie. Assistant District Attorneys David Guidry and Jordan Sutterfield prosecuted the case for the...
20. November 2025
Today, November 20th, Shirley L. Sawyer-Johnson, 41, Lake Charles pled guilty to Manslaughter during her ongoing trial. In January of 2025, Sawyer-Johnson fatally beat a three-month-old infant that was under her supervision. Sentencing for Sawyer-Johnson will be held January 13, 2026 before Judge Michael Canaday. Sawyer-Johnson is being held without bond and is facing a sentencing range of 10-40 years in prison without the benefit of probation or suspension of sentence. Chief of Litigation...
25. September 2025
On Wednesday, September 24, 2025 Kylon T. Rogers, 22, Lake Charles, was found Guilty of Manslaughter. In April 2024, Rogers shot and killed Craig Declouiet Jr. Sentencing will be held on November 12, 2025 before Judge Lee Hoffoss. Chief of Litigation Charles Robinson and Assistant District Attorney Jordan Sutterfield prosecuted the case for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office.
25. September 2025
On Thursday, September 25, 2025, Judge Bobby Holmes sentenced, Eskinder S. Mekuria, 50, Houston, TX, to life without the possibility of parole. In 2022, Mekuria met his victim at a local casino where they then got in the victim’s car. As the victim was driving, Mekuria shot and killed the victim, fled the scene, and ultimately fled the State where he was later found and arrested. Assistant District Attorneys Lea Hall and David Guidry prosecuted the case for the Calcasieu Parish District...
25. September 2025
On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Judge Bobby Holmes sentenced, Choi Van Leo, 60, Spirit Lake, IA, to three life sentences without the possibility of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence on each (3) Aggravated Rape charge and 15 years in prison at hard labor on each (4) Molestation of a Juvenile charge. Each count is to run consecutive to each other. From 1992 until August 28, 2000, Leo raped and molested seven children ages ranging from 4 years old to 12 years old at the time of the...
18. September 2025
Today, September 18th, Christopher T. Cater, 43, Lake Charles, was found Guilty as Charged of First Degree Murder, Identity Theft, and Unlawful Disposal of Remains. In July 2023, Cater violently beat the victim to death. Cater then drove her vehicle with her body still inside, used her home and continued accessing her banking information. The victim’s body was discovered in her vehicle in August, a month after the murder. Sentencing will be October 7th before Judge Kendrick Guidry. First...
11. September 2025
Today, September 11th, Eskinder S Mekuria, Houston, TX, was found Guilty as Charged of Second Degree Murder. In 2022, Mekuria met his victim at a local casino where they then got in the victim’s car. As the victim was driving, Mekuria shot and killed the victim, fled the scene, and ultimately fled the State where he was later found and arrested. Sentencing will be held September 25, 2025 before Judge Bobby Holmes. Mekuria is facing a mandatory life sentence. Assistant District Attorneys Lea...
22. August 2025
Today, August 22nd, Judge Lee Hoffoss sentenced, Derik K Rayborn, 48, Lake Charles, to life in prison at hard labor without the benefit of parole on a Second Degree Murder charge; forty (40) years in prison at hard labor without the benefit of parole on a Second Degree Kidnapping charge; ten (10) years in prison at hard labor on a Aggravated Cruelty to Animals charge; and twenty (20) years in prison at hard labor without the benefit of parole on a Possession of a Firearm or Carrying of a...