If Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Jerry Larpenter feels as if he is being squeezed these days, it is for good reason.
He is.
On the one hand, state district judges of the 32nd Judicial District are requiring that Larpenter perform the duties of his job.
On the other hand, federal investigators reportedly are looking into the manner in which Larpenter performs the duties of his job. Reports are the FBI recently completed two days interviewing one of Larpenter’s deputies. The nature of those interviews was not immediately known.
Meanwhile, two private security guards and a Houma police officer have taken over security at the Terrebonne Parish Courthouse following the high sheriff’s refusal to do so even though state statutes clearly say:
- “Court criers are to be provided by the sheriff of each parish to each district judge.”
- “The crier of a court (notice this is not restricted to Orleans) shall attend all sessions thereof, under the direction of the judge shall open and close court at each session, and maintain order and decorum in the court room, and shall perform such other duties as are assigned to him by law, the court, or the sheriff.” (emphasis added)
- “Each sheriff or deputy shall attend every court that is held in his parish…”
- “Security in the courthouse is the responsibility of governing authority (Gordon Dove), but an agreement may be made between the parish officers and the building to share the expenses.”
- “The principal functions of the criminal sheriff are that of being keeper of parish jail and executive officer of the Criminal District Court.”
Larpenter tried to pull rank on the judges by refusing a request by Judge Randal BETHANCOURT to provide more security details assigned to the courthouse. Larpenter demanded more pay for doing so and the judges said no dice. That standoff more or less backed the judges into a corner by forcing them to retain private security and municipal police officers.
Following the dispute over additional security vs. additional pay, Larpenter took photographs of inmates being transported to court and being held in holding cells until being called for their hearings and arraignments.
Armed with the photographs, Larpenter called the State Fire Marshal down on the court, apparently for the overcrowded conditions in the cells.
A little background is in order here. The State Fire Marshal, like the State Superintendent of Police is a position filled by appointment of the governor but no governor in his right mind would do so independently, i.e. without the blessings of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association. Make no mistake, the sheriffs’ association dictates to every governor who shall fill the positions of Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, State Fire Marshal and State Superintendent of Police. Ergo, Larpenter felt sufficiently confident to call in the big boys on the judges—big boys that his association props up.
Down and dirty politics at the local level? Damned right and normally that would be a lethal weapon given the formidable alliance of the sheriffs’ association, Secretary of Public Safety, State Superintendent of Police and State Fire Marshal. In case no one has been paying attention, those are the preeminent law enforcement agencies of the state. You generally don’t cross swords with that kind of power.
Larpenter then goes to the local press with his brainstorm for a great cost-cutting measure: video arraignments.
But that was only a temporary setback as the judges came back with their own “gotcha.”
First, they issue an order banning all video arraignments, thereby forcing Larpenter to bear the costs of transporting more than 150 prisoners for hearings two weeks ago.
Then, Judge David Arceneaux signed an order in which he struck through language requiring the warden of Dixon Correctional Institute in East Feliciana Parish, 120 north of Houma, to transport a prisoner from the facility to Houma and back. Judge Arceneaux then wrote in longhand, “Terrebonne Parish Sheriff to transport from Dixon Correctional Institute,” adding that Larpenter was to deposit $1500 for the cost of transporting the prisoner.
Needless to say, all this has set off a minor war in the 32nd JDC. Larpenter sputtered and fumed but Bethancourt replied it was all Larpenter’s fault, supposedly for balking at providing more security for the courthouse.
Regardless whose fault it is for the situation to have deteriorated so badly, it has morphed into a very interesting little turf war that isn’t like to end soon—or well. And it promises to be a fight worthy of the sordid reputation of Louisiana politics.
The number two spectator sport behind football.
In other words, fun.
Opps, there it is! It is what it is and it ain’t NEVER over until the fat angel sings.
Thank you Lord, the FBI and Mr.Tom Aswell.
Oh well, I guess poor Jerry will be able to hear the beat now, but if not, I am willing Lilly and willing to do everything I can to help him in any way I can to help him hear loud and clearer. I am really not a bad person, I just like everyone else and want things done by the book according to the law for everyone not just a chosen few. That has been MY mission for years to change the mindset that this is their town, but they can’t have it their way any more unless of course they go to Burger King.
The laws are written for a reason and they are not to be violated by the very people we elect to enforce the laws and to prosecute the ones who violate the laws.
I am so excited that the F.B.I is here but I am not surprised by it at all. Like I mentioned before when Mr.Sallet first came to New Orleans to the Eastern Divsision and after I read his background and took a look at his face, then I knew in my heart that the house was coming down somewhere. There was something really different about this man, he stood out above all the directors before him. I can’t put my finger on just what is was about him but he caught my eye the first time I saw him and I got that good feeling in my gut. I always follow my gut when I deal with corruption. I have been fighting this for so long now and I couldn’t be more happier if I would have won millions and millions of dollars. Money doesn’t mean anything, corruption has to go and it looks like the bureau started in just the right spot. Thank you F.B.I., Jesus, Joseph, Mary and Tom Aswell.
I am going do a headstand in my front yard now just like I did the day Edwin Edwards got indicted. Then I called Mr.Letton to thank him andtell him that he was ‘THE MAN.” He was a nice person too but nice people don’t always win because they made him pay in the end.
IT AIN’T NEVER OVER UNTIL THE FAT ANGEL SINGS. CHRISTINE MUST BE DANCING AND SINGING WITH THE ANGELS. HOW SWEET IT IS????
Why does the Sheriff have to hide behind the Sheriffs Association all the time and why do they protect him and defend him when he does wrong? Why does the Office of Motor Vehicles join in to help? Why does the State Fire Marshall office go along with the rest of them? Why does the State Superintendant of Police join forces with the rest of them? Do they really believe that they are the real power? Do they think if they stick together that they will never fall or fail? Really, is that the reason or am I missing something major here?
Power you say, Tom, what power? Don’t these people realize that when this is all said and done, not one of them will have the power to go to the restroom alone by themselves? God is the ONLY POWER, MR.TOM. They may prevail on this earth but they sure as better be concerned about the next life.
Fun Mr.Tom? Who is having all the fun?
It will not turn out well? For who or whom Mr.Tom, them or us?
A sportman’s game similar to football.? Well I love football, baseball, hockey, basketball, car racing, dirt bike riding, and any other fun time in the sun. I always try to be a good sport whether I win or lose a game. I will never accept losing the fight against the Sheriff though because that won’t happen in a hundred life times. I have always abided by the law but if they let him slide then those responsible for letting that happen are just telling me and everyone else that there is no law in Terrebonne Parish and the State of Louisiana. Would this mean that it then becomes a situation that everyone can then take care of their own problem with whomever is causing them trouble on their own in total disregard for the written law? Wait just a second, which law? Is it going to be their law they want to enforce at this point? Sounds like major confusion at this point. Sounds like we are becoming like a third world country at this point.
A Slapp lawsuit you say could be possible Mr.Tom? Well, they are not the only one who knows the law, I can promise you that one. The world is full of good attorneys but I would never advise using one from Louisiana since they all seem to be drinking the same brand of the Kool-Aid. There are a lot of good decent attorneys in Louisiana though but I wouldn’t wager my money on one from here because remember they have to live here also.
Well, I think I just about addressed everything I could think of and I hope it all ends soon, flip, flop, tick of the clock. May the chips fall where they may because I will never, never, ever go away. I don’t need a group of power boys or toys on my side to keep going forward either. It is what it is and has always been ah, ah , ah,
CORRUPTION AT ITS FINEST IN GOOD OLE LOUISIANA!
AND
IT IS NEVER OVER UNTIL THE FAT ANGELS SINGS! REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND AND MAKE ROOM FOR ME BECAUSE I MAY BE COMING TO VISIT YOU OR JOIN YOU SOON BECAUSE I REFUSE TO QUIT, I WOULD RATHER DIE FIRST!! I AM ALL IN!
This is my true confession. I need to be say this to clear the air.
I just want to state that Terrebonne Parish Sheriffs Office has so many very dedicated, honest, hard working, skilled officers. If their boss would only let everyone of them work to their fullest potential instead of running his department like Hitler there would be no end to just how great they could all become. There would be no end as to how good this department would be and they would shine like stars in the sky, instead of being in the media all the time with negative commenting.
There are a hand full of officers in there that could run the show because they have so much knowledge and skills but they are being held back with such reign from their boss that it is heart sickening to me as a taxpayer. So much potential being lost and not being used to make this a better parish each day, hour and minute.
Instead of working toward a department that could gain so much more respect from the public, these officers are under so much stress from a dictatorship of a self serving, swollen headed jerk who has the mentality that he is IT. Any department, no matter which one it is, is only as strong as it’s weakest link. Sad to say, that in this department it is its LEADER.
Under the right leadership, I would just love to see how great this department could really become because I know there are officers in there who could make that happen and a whole lot more if they were only given a chance to proceed.
Sad to say though as long as Hitler is in charge that will never change.
I truly feel sorry for all of them. I know I have probably been the worst critic of this department but I just want all these officers to know it was NEVER about them, it was there leader. If anyone is waiting for an apology from me for feeling that way though, please don’t stand up, in fact it would be in there best interest to go sit down in front of the preparation 8 factory because they will be there a long, long time, possibly a life time so please, get comfortable already!
To all the officers who make up this department from the top to the bottom, just know that the public and myself, appreciates what you do each day no matter who is your leader.
There HAS to be some officer in this department with enough intestinal fortitude who can step up and take this department to a higher level and make it what it should have been from the beginning, the best damn Sheriffs Office in the State. This officer needs to come forward and do what needs to be done for the sake of this department and our Parish. If not, Lord help us!
Thank all you officers for doing what you do each day because believe me, I feel your pain and understand what you are going through, under the dictatorship of a “Little Hitler”
This is my confession and I am sticking to it!
and
Please don’t forget, it ain’t never, ever over until the fat angel sings!