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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: |
May 16, 2008 |
Mark A. Gunnoe, Deputy U.S. Marshal
Public Information Officer (504) 589-3156 |
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Sex Offender/Escapee Apprehended by
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office
and U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force |
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On Thursday May 15, 2008, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office acted on
information provided by the U.S. Marshals Service Eastern District of
Louisiana Crescent Star Fugitive Task Force (CSFTF) and arrested Jeremiah
Benoit, 30, for escape from the Calcasieu Parish Prison. Benoit was also
wanted by Lake Charles Police Department for an Aggravated Burglary and
Aggravated Assault that occurred after his escape. Benoit was arrested
without incident and was in possession of the vehicle reported stolen in the
South Lake Charles Home Invasion of a 91 year old woman.
Benoit a registered sex offender was serving a sentence at the Calcasieu
Parish Prison for a Parole Violation based on convictions for Carnal
Knowledge of a Juvenile and Felony Forgery from 2004. Benoit exploited his
status as a “Trustee” at the prison and used that status to escape from the
prison on Wednesday May 14, 2008. Calcasieu Parish Prison officials
discovered that Benoit had escaped from their custody and immediately
notified the U.S. Marshals Service Western District of Louisiana Fugitive
Apprehension Strike Team (FAST) and requested assistance with apprehending
Benoit. FAST Task Force members began conducting the fugitive investigation
with the assistance from the Louisiana Department of Corrections, Probation
and Parole. Their efforts later determined that Benoit was in the Hammond,
Louisiana area. This information was forwarded to CSFTF, who was able to
pinpoint Benoit’s location and contact Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office to
effect his arrest.
On May 15, 2008, Lake Charles Police Department responded to a report of a
Home Invasion in University Place (South Lake Charles). Through the course
of the Lake Charles Police Department’s investigation it was determined that
Benoit had forced his way inside the home of an elderly woman on the
afternoon of May 14. Benoit was an acquaintance of the woman and had done
yard work for her in 2005. Benoit allegedly held the elderly woman hostage
while he ransacked her home looking for valuables. Benoit then tied the
elderly woman up that evening and stole her vehicle. The elderly woman was
able to free herself around 4:00 a.m. and then contacted a family member to
report the incident. According to investigators the elderly woman suffered
minor physical injuries from the ordeal. Investigator’s also indicated that
in 2005 Benoit under the guise of needing to use the restroom, entered the
elderly woman’s home and stole her purse and vehicle.
U.S. Marshal Michael Credo stated, “The efforts of all participating law
enforcement agencies combined with critical assistance from Louisiana
Probation and Parole removed this dangerous escapee from the community
before he was capable of targeting any new victims.”
The U.S. Marshals Service EDLA sponsored CSFTF established itself in 1999
and is currently receiving extra support from the U.S. Attorney General and
U.S. Department of Justice to fight post Hurricane Katrina violent crime and
locate sexual predators in the New Orleans metro area. Current CSFTF members
include the New Orleans Police Department, the Orleans Parish Criminal
Sheriff’s Office, St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana Probation
and Parole and the U.S. Border Patrol. Other New Orleans metro area law
enforcement agencies participating on a case by case basis include: Bogalusa
Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Bernard Parish
Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Coast
Guard Investigative Services, and Social Security OIG . For more information
on the U.S. Marshals EDLA CSFTF go to
www.usmarshals.gov/district/la-e/news/index.html. |
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