News

Narcotics investigations and/or arrests may be carried out by DeSoto Parish Narcotics Agents, Street Level Interdiction Unit (SLIU), Tri-Parish Drug Task Force, K9 and/or S.W.A.T. The following arrests have been made recently in regard to the illegal possession and/ or distribution of Meth in DeSoto Parish. An arrest in an indication that probable cause existed during an alleged offense. All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

DeSoto Regional Hospital has been a standing part of the community that has served the people of DeSoto Parish for 72 years. On Friday, August 23 the first major work to take place at DRHS in over twelve years began with a ground breaking ceremony that included board members, dignitaries and construction workers. It was an exciting day for the expansion project to begin with people hoping the upgrades not only mean expansion for patients but also more jobs for the facility.

State Rep. for District 7 Larry Bagley said, “ With new buildings and a new hospital wing, there will be new jobs. There will be opportunities for a lot of people. It’s going to be a big economic impact for DeSoto Parish, and we certainly need that.”

This is a $50 million project that has been in the works since 2021. Construction should take around two and onehalf to three years to complete, DeSoto Regional remaining operational during upgrades.

Cody Whitlock and Stormey Webster with Chesapeake Energy dropped by to visit Sheriff Jayson Richardson yesterday, and brought a check for $1,000 to donate to the Sheriff’s Bringing Joye Program.

A little while back, Chesapeake Energy held a “Bring Your Kids to Work” day which was also part of their kids Community Outreach Program. DeSoto Sheriff Patrol Lt. Joe West and Cpl. Kelby Pearah brought K9 Rex out to visit the kids and do a live demonstration, which is also why you see Rex with his head buried in the special gift bag they made for him!

This year, the children at Chesapeake raised the $1,000 donation themselves to go to a great cause. “Bringing Joye” hosts many events in the community for our residents and students with special needs. The donation will certainly create many smiles in the days to come. We thank Chesapeake Energy staff and kids for their kind generosity!

DeSoto Parish Investigators are seeking the public’s help in identifying the pictured suspecct, believed to be involved in a theft in the Gloster area. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for any information that leads to the identification and/or arrest of the suspect. Tips can remain anonymous, we don’t need your name, just your information! You may contact our main office at 318-872-3956 and ask to speak with an investigator regarding this post, or visit www. P3Tips.com to submit a tip online. You may also provide your information using the DeSoto Sheriff App, under Forms & Tips!

August 15 was a historic day in Mansfield and for the DeSoto Parish Police Jury! The Old Jail Parking lot between the Sheriff’s office and the DeSoto Parish Police Jury’s office is officially open and ready for use starting tomorrow (8/15/2024). This space is open to the public and free to use. The police jury will be installing some lighting and minor landscaping soon, but that is currently unscheduled. If there is a need to close the parking area in the future it should only be partially closed and for a very short time. The entrance is located off Mouton street. God Bless.

On Saturday, August 10th, DeSoto Sheriff Deputies teamed up with Louisiana State Police and Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force to host another Child Car seat Installation/Safety event! Attendees had an opportunity to ask questions and become properly trained on how to install a child carseat safely. We also provided ROTH ID tags to those in attendance! As we mentioned in our earlier posts, these tags double as an armband for your kiddos in the event of an emergency, contained their information that you have written on the back. This entire event was free of charge to the public, and something we will continue to provide in the future. We thank everyone who joined us for the event, as well as LSP and the La. Passenger Safety Task Force for helping to make it a success!

* There will be more dates announced in the future if you were unable to attend this one! Check back on our social media and the DeSoto Sheriff App for future announcements!

Investigators with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the owner or location of the vehicle pictured below. This vehicle is believed to be involved in a burglary that took place in July of 2024. If you should have information that may lead investigators to locating the vehicle and identifying the thief, Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for your info. You can request to remain anonymous, and still get paid!

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office haa received 4 calls in just the last 5 minutes regarding a commonly known SCAM going back around right now. Individuals are receiving calls from a scammer claiming to be with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, and demanding that they pay money over the phone or risk being arrested on a warrant. Each story is slightly different, sometimes stating a specific deputy name and always coming from a different phone number. We are not, and do not do this. Here are your RED FLAGS: 1. A random number calls and threatens you with a warrant or arrest unless you pay up immediately.

2. The scammer does not want you to hang up, and tries to keep you on the phone until you comply.

3. The scammer acts unprofessionally.

4. The scammer requests that you pay immediately, and pay using uncommon payment methods.

Last week the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office said good-bye to their summer workers Zoey, Vivy, and Christian. They will leave DPSO and finally make their way off to college.

Sheriff Richardson said, “It’s been an honor to have each of them work alongside us here in the Mansfield Main Office over the summer, and we look forward to what this next chapter of life brings for them! Thank you for all your hard work!