Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office

06/13/2026

06/12/2026

ARREST REPORT 6/12/2026

Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office announces recent arrests made by VPSO.

June 11, 2026

Susan Jones, age 44, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic and one count of Introduction of Contraband into Correctional Facility.

June 12, 2026

Donald Ray Sigler, age 61,of Robstown, Texas, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of a Schedule II Narcotics, one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and one count of Criminal Trespass. Bond has not been set and Sigler remains in the VPSO jail.

06/11/2026

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06/09/2026

06/09/2026

ARREST REPORT 6/9/2026

Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office announces recent arrests made by VPSO.

June 8, 2026

Demetra Dwan Hickman, age 49, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Attempted Theft. Bond was set at $ 2500.00. Hickman remains in the VPSO jail.

June 9, 2026

Jarron Paul Purpera, age 33, of Hessmer, was arrested and charged with one count of Aggravated Assault and one count of Possession of a Firearm on Premises of Alcoholic Beverage Outlet. Bond was set at $ 15,000.00. Purpera remains in the VPSO jail.

06/09/2026

ARREST REPORT 6/9/2026

Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office announces recent arrests made by VPSO.

June 8, 2026

Joseph Storozyszyn, age 42, of Leesville, was arrested on an outstanding traffic Bench Warrant. Bond was set at $ 1000.00. Storozyszyn remains in the VPSO jail.

Ronald Dean Hastings, age 59, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $ 1561.00. Hastings remains in the VPSO jail.

Henry Reeves, age 62, of Pitkin, was arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Trespass. Bond was set at $ 1295.00. Reeves remains in the VPSO jail.

William Parvin Johnson, age 26, of Pitkin, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant. Bond has not been set and Johnson remains in the VPSO jail.

06/08/2026

The Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame inducted six prominent law enforcement and legal professionals during its 21st annual ceremony on June 5, 2026, at the LSU Lod Cook Center in Baton Rouge.

The class of 2026 included Liz Murrill, Attorney General of Louisiana, Brandon J. Fremin, Former U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, Sam Craft, Sheriff of Vernon Parish, John E. Ballance, Sheriff of Bienville Parish, Loren Lampert, Judge for the Ninth Judicial District Court, Ernest “Bim” Coulberston, Chief of Police and Town Marshal of Farmerville.

The employees of the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office would like to congratulate all of the hall of fame inductees to include Sheriff Sam Craft on a job well done.

Thank you Sheriff Craft for your professionalism and continued dedication to the citizens of Vernon Parish.

(L) to (R) - Louisiana State Representative Chuck Owen, Sheriff Sam Craft, Louisiana State Representative Rodney Schamerhorn.

06/08/2026

Today we take a moment to honor the memory of Tammy Vincent, RN, CEN, SANE-A/P.

Nurse Vincent served Vernon Parish victims of sexual assault for many years with professionalism as well as always doing the utmost to maintain the dignity of the victim.

Rest in Peace Nurse Vincent - your unwavering dedication and compassion for victims will never be forgotten.

Today, we pause to honor the incredible legacy of Tammy Vincent, RN, CEN, SANE-A/P.

Tammy dedicated her career to advocating for survivors of sexual assault, both in Southwest Louisiana and across the state. When she joined Lake Charles Memorial Health System in 1992, she recognized a critical need in our community and led the effort to establish the SWLA Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program.

Through her work she helped ensure survivors had access to professional, compassionate and dignified care in some of their most vulnerable moments. Her dedication reached across the five-parish area of Calcasieu, Cameron, Beauregard, Jeff Davis and Allen parishes, leaving a lasting impact on the people she served. Her commitment was a true reflection of what it means to care for your neighbor — with respect, empathy and unwavering support.

Tammy’s leadership helped pave the way for local resources, increased awareness, and legislation surrounding sexual assault care and advocacy. Her impact will continue to be felt across Lake Charles Memorial Health System, throughout Southwest Louisiana and in the lives of the countless people she helped along the way.

We are grateful for Tammy’s service, her leadership and the lasting legacy she leaves behind.

06/08/2026

Man Attacked by Alligator After Fleeing Troopers During DWI Investigation

On Sunday, Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop B responded to reports of a Toyota Supra being driven recklessly on Interstate 10 near Bonnabel Boulevard in Jefferson Parish. The vehicle had also struck a concrete barrier and sustained a tire blowout.

Troopers later located the Supra traveling south on Interstate 310 in St. Charles Parish and conducted a traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, identified as 40-year-old Victor Rivas of Montz, Troopers observed signs of impairment. During the DWI investigation, Rivas fled on foot and jumped from the elevated portion of Interstate 310 into the swamp below.

Troopers and deputies with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office began searching for Rivas, who was later spotted walking along U.S. Highway 61. When law enforcement approached, he fled again into a swampy area, where he was attacked by an alligator and sustained injuries to both arms. Despite his injuries, Rivas continued fleeing before being located and apprehended with the assistance of drone technology.

Rivas was transported to a local hospital for treatment and later charged with DWI and Resisting an Officer. Additional warrants were obtained for Hit and Run and Careless Operation in connection with the earlier crash in Jefferson Parish.

Impaired driving can lead to serious and unpredictable consequences. Motorists are urged to make responsible decisions, plan ahead, and always designate a sober driver. Louisiana State Police appreciates the strong partnership and coordinated efforts of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in bringing this incident to a successful resolution.