03. October 2022
Today, October 3rd, Nathaniel Mitchell III, 43, Lake Charles, was found guilty as charged on one (1) count Second Degree Murder. In 2019, Mitchell shot and killed the victim and then later took part in burning the victim’s body. Mitchell is facing a mandatory life sentence without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence and is being held without bond. Sentencing is set for November 23, 2022 before Judge Michael Canaday. Assistant District Attorneys Jacob Johnson and Taylor...
30. September 2022
On September 30th, Harold A. Campbell, 47, Lake Charles, was found guilty as charged on one (1) count Second Degree Murder. In 2019, Campbell shot and killed his wife in their home after a verbal argument. Campbell is facing a mandatory life sentence without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Sentencing is set for November 16, 2022 before Judge Robert Wyatt. Assistant District Attorneys Conrad Huber and Charles Robinson prosecuted the case for the Calcasieu Parish District...
08. September 2022
On September 7, 2022, District Attorney Stephen Dwight announced a partnership between the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office, Calcasieu Parish School Board, and McNeese Athletics called Rowdy for Success. In addition to the District Attorney’s Office Early Intervention Program, this partnership will provide extra support to encourage student success in the classroom and at home. This partnership aims to promote positive behaviors by using students, athletes, and coaches from our...
19. August 2022
Today, Judge David Ritchie found Kendrick N. Shepherd, 35, Sulphur, to be a fourth or subsequent habitual offender. Due to Shepherd’s violent criminal history, Judge David Ritchie sentenced Shepherd to the mandatory life sentence without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Earlier this year, Shepherd was found guilty as charged of one (1) count Armed Robbery. In 2018, Shepherd violently robbed 2 gas stations just 5 days apart. During the first armed robbery, Shepherd was...
19. August 2022
George McKinney, 24, Lake Charles, was re-sentenced today by Judge David Ritchie after the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals remanded the matter for resentencing. In 2021, McKinney pled guilty to one (1) count vehicular homicide and today he was sentenced to 30 years in prison with 7 years suspended. Upon his release, McKinney must serve 3 years of supervised probation, pay nearly twenty thousand dollars in restitution, and complete 300 hours of community service. In October of 2020, McKinney struck...
22. July 2022
Today, July 22nd, Judge Michael Canaday sentenced Vernell A. Chatman, Jr., 35, Lake Charles, to 32 years in prison on one (1) count Manslaughter; and 8 years in prison on one (1) count Second Degree Feticide. The sentences total 40 years in prison and are to be ran consecutively. In 2019, Chatman choked and brutally beat an 8 months pregnant woman and left her body in the freezing cold. The victim and unborn baby died as a result of their injuries. Assistant District Attorneys Charles Robinson...
15. July 2022
On July 15th, Judge Robert Wyatt sentenced Allen J. Fontenot, 42, Lake Charles, to life in prison without probation, parole, or suspension of sentence on one (1) count First Degree Rape. In 2019, Fontenot sexually abused a victim who was 11 years old at the time of the crimes. Assistant District Attorneys Charles Robinson and Conrad Huber prosecuted the case for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office.
13. June 2022
On June 13th, Marcus K. Pentecost, 30, Sulphur, pled guilty to one (1) count Vehicular Homicide and one (1) count Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Judge Clayton Davis sentenced Pentecost to twenty (20) years prison on the Vehicular Homicide charge and twenty (20) years prison on the Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon charge. Both sentences are without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. The sentences are to run concurrently. In January of 2022,...
31. May 2022
On May 31st, Lorenzo D. Watson, 45, Lake Charles, pled guilty to one (1) count Forcible Rape. Judge Derrick Kee sentenced Watson to twenty (20) years in prison at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Watson must also register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. In 1997, Watson broke into the victim’s home, tied her up and violently raped her at knifepoint. For more than twenty (20) years, the victim did not know who the perpetrator was until...
31. May 2022
Today, May 31st, Darren S. Gaspard, 57, Lake Charles, & Kenneth M. Duplechin, 58, Lake Charles, each pled guilty to one (1) count Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile. Judge Michael Canaday sentenced Gaspard to ten (10) years prison suspend all but three (3) and Duplechin to ten (10) years prison suspend all but four (4). Each will have to register as a sex offender. In 2019, Duplechin picked up a 14-year-old girl on the side of the road and then brought her to his house where he and Gaspard both...