June 2024
Happy Fourth of July holiday weekend. First of all, I congratulate Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr. on his historic swearing as the top law enforcement official of our Parish, and I, the Shreveport Police Chief, our local judges and public defender all look forward to working collaboratively with the Sheriff to address issues in our community and court system. And I send condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Sandra McCalla, a tiny lady who was a giant in our local community. The Head Gator will sorely missed and fondly remembered, even by my City of Byrd!
We mark the close of the first half of the year 2024 with a major offering of your District Attorney’s office: In partnership with Shreveport Community Renewal Friendship House, Volunteers for Youth Justice, and the Multicultural Center-The South, as we will host the first-of-it’s-kind, weeklong Caddo DA Youth Leadership Academy, encouraging middle students from diverse backgrounds across Caddo Parish Schools to dream and fulfill a productive future.
This year’s theme is “The Power of Art, Unity and Leadership.” Sessions for the academy will take place July 8-12 at the Multicultural Center-The South, located at 520 North Spring Street.
The program aims to engage students in leadership skills, and to dream and take control of their destiny, becoming knowledgeable of the inner workings of the court system. Students will foster leadership qualities that empower them to become tomorrow’s trailblazers.
“We are showing the children positive images, and letting them know there are no limits to what they can achieve,” says Britney Green, Assistant District Attorney and Headmaster of the Academy. “We want our young people to know they are the captains of their own destiny!”
My desire is to inspire young people in our community to continue to make good choices that lead to good decisions.
Please continue to view our Caddo Parish District Attorney Facebook page for other free activities and camps for your youth.
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Here are some highlights of cases handled by our office in the month just ended:
* A man who shot and killed an acquaintance in the Highland neighborhood was convicted of the slaying and associated charges by a Caddo Parish jury June 27.
The 11-woman, one-man jury in District Judge Michael Pitman’s court deliberated just under two hours before returning its verdicts against Torail Thomas, 44, in connection with the November 10, 2022 death of Da’Twaine Broomfield. Thomas was found guilty as charged of second-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm and obstruction of justice.
Through evidence and witness testimony, the jury determined that on November 10, 2022, victim Da’Twaine Broomfield, 32, arrived at Torail Thomas’s home on Boulevard Street. Neighbors heard a conversation upstairs, followed by gunshots and after a pause, additional gunshots. Thomas was seen running from his home and tossing items underneath it and the house next door. When asked by a neighbor what had happened, he said there was a dead man in his home. He told responding officers Broomfield had consumed some methamphetamine and that while he was in the bathroom, someone else had shot Broomfield. Firearm parts of the murder weapon were found under the home. When confronted by detectives, Thomas eventually confessed to shooting Broomfield, claiming self-defense, even though the victim was not armed.
Thomas has a felony conviction for distributing marijuana and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
When he returns to Judge Pitman’s court July 15, he faces a mandatory life term for the second-degree murder conviction, up to 40 years for the obstruction of justice conviction and five to 20 years for the weapons possession conviction.
Thomas was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Sam Crichton and Victoria Washington. He was defended by Michael Enright and Katie Miller.
The case was docket No. 392346.
* A Shreveport woman who shot her husband and then doused his body with gasoline was found guilty of the murder June 26.
It took a six-man, six-woman jury in District Judge John D. Mosely Jr.’s court less than two hours to find Charlene Henderson, 45, guilty of the May 16, 2022 second-degree murder of Larry Clark, also 45. She also was found guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection with a 2004 manslaughter conviction that prohibits her from owning or possessing a firearm until 2029.
Through evidence and testimony, jurors learned that in the early morning hours of May 16, 2022, Charlene Henderson shot and killed her husband. After killing Mr. Clark, Henderson covered his body with carpet and texted a cellphone photo of his body to a family member. Then 25 minutes later, she called 911 to report the slaying.
When officers arrived on scene they noted an overwhelming smell of gasoline in the residence. Crime scene photos showed ashes covering Larry Clark’s body under the carpet. The jury also was able to view the photo Henderson took of Clark’s body, which showed no gun nearby, and to compare with police crime-scene photos that show a gun placed against his head.
Henderson testified in her own defense, and reported for the first time being scared for her life when she shot Clark.
When Henderson returns to Judge Mosely’s court July 16, she faces a mandatory life sentence for the murder conviction and five to 20 years at hard labor without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence for the firearm conviction.
Henderson was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Courtney N. Ray and Jasmine C. Cooper. She was defended by Casey Simpson, Harry Johnson and Hilary Hileman.
The case was docket No. 389211.
* A man who led Shreveport Police on a desperate chase through the central part of the city was convicted of aggravated flight from officers June 13.
Stephen Golden, 26, was found guilty as charged by the eight-woman, four-man jury in District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr.’s court after 90 minutes of deliberation.
Through evidence and witness testimony, jurors determined that on October 14, 2023, Shreveport Police attempted to stop Golden’s vehicle at the intersection of Hollywood and Hearne avenues for a traffic infraction. He fled, leading officers on a high-speed chase exceeding 100 mph down Hearne Avenue before turning into a residential neighborhood. He drove 70 mph through a narrow residential street, running stop signs and at one point leaving the roadway. He stopped in the 4000 block of West College Street when he reached a dead end. No one was injured during the chase. Officers then apprehended Golden.
When Golden returns to court for sentencing August 13, he faces a prison term of up to five years at hard labor.
Golden was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Stephen Folk-Cruthirds and Jason Waltman. He was defended by Carlos Prudhomme.
The case was docket No. 398146.
* A Caddo Parish jury deliberated less than an hour before finding Kenmiccael Dano Ray guilty of the 2022 slaying of Shreveport teen Landry Anglin.
The eight-woman, four-man jury in District Judge Ramona Emanuel’s court unanimously found Shreveporter Ray, 25, guilty-as-charged of second-degree murder for the May 1, 2022 death of Anglin, a 13-year-old girl struck by a stray bullet while visiting with relatives in the 4500 block of Fairfield Avenue. The bullet was fired in the course of a running gun battle between gang members, including Ray. The 40 minutes of deliberation ended the weeklong trial.
Over the course of the trial, the prosecution called 10 witnesses and produced evidence to prove Ray was affiliated with a gang in Shreveport and fired an assault-style rifle at a vehicle pursuing him on Erie Street between Thornhill and Line avenues. Evidence also showed that occupants in the pursuing vehicle returned fire.
After the shooting, Ray fled to Arlington, Texas, where five days later he was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals and found to be in possession of the Kel-Tech rifle used in the Anglin slaying. An expert from the North Louisiana Crime Lab proved that the bullet that killed Anglin was fired from Ray’s weapon. Shreveport police officers and detectives testified, as did other Texas-based members of the U.S. Marshals.
Ray will return to Judge Emanuel’s court July 16, where he faces a mandatory life sentence without possibility of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.
Three co-defendants also are awaiting trial for the slaying.
Assistant District Attorneys Ron Christopher Stamps, Christopher Bowman and Britney Green prosecuted the case. Leslie Kelly defended Ray.
The case was docket Nos. 389215 and 389620.
* A Shreveport man was convicted June 11 of armed robbery.
The nine-man, three-woman jury in District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr.’s court found Derrick Dewayne Glover, 35, guilty as charged after less than an hour of deliberation.
Through evidence and witness testimony, the jury learned that on July 20, 2019, Glover entered the Shreveport Cash Advance on Hearne Avenue, armed with a knife and wearing a welder’s mask. He jumped over the front desk and demanded money from the sole employee. The employee gave him money from the register, but he then demanded she take him to the safe where more money was kept. Glover then left the business with the loose cash and a safety deposit box. However, the employee noticed Glover just before he entered the business, seeing his face and recognizing him as a frequent customer; he also drove to the business in his own vehicle. In addition, the welder’s mask he wore to commit the crime was recovered from his place of employment.
When Glover returns to Judge Hathaway’s court August 12, 2024, he faces a mandatory sentence of at least 10 years and up too 99 years in prison without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence.
Glover was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Cheyenne Wilson and Jason Waltman. He was defended by Katherine Ferguson and Evan McMichael.
The case was docket No. 396680.
* A Shreveport man accused of shooting his girlfriend with a rifle, killing her, pleaded guilty to the slaying June 10 and will serve 40 years in prison.
Treylin Lorenz Dillard, 21, set to stand trial June 24, pleaded guilty to manslaughter before Caddo District Judge John D. Mosely Jr., who sentenced him to the four decades in prison at hard labor. The plea and sentence were agreed to by the family of the 16-year-old victim, who was shot Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022.
The two had been arguing about their relationship, when Dillard pointed a rifle at the girl’s face and told her he was going to shoot her. He then shot her one time. Dillard admitted to the shooting and showed police the gun used in the shooting.
Dillard was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Courtney N. Ray. He was defended by Casey Simpson.
The case was docket No. 388629.
* Jermaine Owens, convicted in January of assault and illegal possession of a firearm, was sentenced to life in prison June 6.
Owens (also known as Jermaine Allen), 40 and from Princeton in Bossier Parish was sentenced by District Judge Ramona Emmanuel as a fourth felony habitual offender and must spend the rest of his life in prison on the charge of possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a person convicted of domestic abuse battery. The term is to be served without the possibility of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. For conviction on the misdemeanor charge of simple assault he was sentenced to 90 days in the parish jail with credit for time served, the terms to be served concurrently.
On April 4, 2023, Shreveport police responded to a domestic disturbance call in the 8500 block of Chalmette Drive. Responding officers learned that Jermaine Owens/Allen had pointed a handgun at his wife while saying “I will kill you.” Owens also pushed his wife to the ground while continuing to yell “I will kill you” with the handgun pointed at her. Officers found the handgun inside a backpack used by Owens, who tried to flee while being questioned. Officers subdued him after chasing and tazing him.
After a criminal history check, officers learned Owens had a prior conviction for domestic abuse battery, which makes him unable to own or possess a gun. He then was arrested for domestic abuse aggravated assault and possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a person convicted of domestic abuse battery.
Owens had three prior felony convictions, making the latest conviction a fourth felony. The priors were an armed robbery conviction on January 29, 2007 in Caddo Court; attempted armed robbery on March 5, 2007 in the 26th Judicial District Court; and possession of a Schedule II narcotic on March 7, 2022 in the 26th Judicial District Court.
Owens was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Fernando Grider and Brittany Arvie. He was defended by Evan McMichael.
The case was docket No. 394735.
* A Shreveport driver involved in a major accident in Broadmoor last year pleaded guilty as charged to fourth-offense driving while intoxicated June 6.
Manuel Alejandro Morales, 37, was immediately sentenced by District Judge Ramona Emanuel to serve 10 years in prison at hard labor, with the first two years to be served without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.
On April 27, 2023, police responded to the 200 block of Albany Avenue in reference to a major accident. Morales was the driver of a Ford F-150 truck involved in the accident, inside of which officers found a 24-ounce Bud Light can, a broken Bud Light glass bottle and a Pancho Villa Tequila bottle open on the passenger seat. Officers also detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from inside the vehicle. Morales attempted to conceal the alcoholic beverages in a duffel bag and walk away from the scene of the accident; however, he was told to remain at the scene until officers arrived, and subsequently was arrested.
Assistant District Attorney Fernando Grider prosecuted the case, docket No. 395637. Morales was defended by Charles Bradshaw.
* The Caddo Parish District Attorney’s office is set to retry the case of Treyvious Djuan Dotie, 26. A new trial date will be set on July 1 in Caddo District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr.’s courtroom. Dotie is charged with second-degree murder in the slaying of Bryan Theus, 19 outside Mall St. Vincent.
On July 4, 2020, Shreveport Police responded to reports of a shooting at Dillard’s and found Theus outside of the entry to the store with multiple gunshot wounds. The confrontation is believed to have begun inside the store after the two exchanged words. Theus followed Dotie outside. Dotie then pulled a handgun and shot Theus several times before leaving the scene.
Dotie returned to the store a short time later and surrendered to authorities. Theus was later pronounced dead.
A mistrial was declared in the case on May 22 after a jury was unable to reach a verdict.
The case, docket No. 376897, will begin anew with arguments and hearings scheduled for August 14.
* A man accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl pleaded guilty to second-degree rape June 5.
Shreveporter Allen Louis Fuller, 42, pleaded guilty before District Judge Ramona Emanuel, who sentenced him to serve 35 years hard labor in prison without the possibility of parole, probation or suspension of sentence. Fuller also must register as a sex offender for life.
The rape occurred in an abandoned house at a time when the juvenile victim was aged 14. In a post-Miranda interview Fuller admitted to having oral and vaginal intercourse with the victim while she was crying and struggling to get away from him.
Assistant District Attorney Brittany Arvie prosecuted for the state. Fuller was defended by Royal Alexander.
The case was docket No. 399222.
Lastly, the Caddo Parish Grand Jury returned one true bill in its July session, indicting Kevin Boles, a Shreveport man who shot and killed 12-year-old Jaylen Coleman after two other teens had entered Boles’ car in a driveway, and were running away when confronted; simultaneously Coleman was walking on the street toward Boles’ car, passing the running teen on the passenger side, and was shot.
Coleman’s death was the 25th homicide in Shreveport this year.
I thank our law enforcement officers, prosecutors, staff, jurors and judges for their service in bringing justice to victims of crime.
Please have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend.
Happy birthday to our great country!!
At your service,
James E. Stewart Sr.
Caddo Parish District Attorney