Justice Is Our Priority
Our citizens, families and children deserve the best protection we can give them. We are committed to providing that, and making St. Landry Parish a more safe and prosperous community than ever before.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of a crime, we want to help. Contact our office directly or take advantage of the resources we have available to you.
I’m proud of the work we’ve done in our DA office, and I hope it’s something you can be proud of too. With your help and support, we will continue to make progress and fight to make St. Landry parish a better place to live and a safer place for all.
– Chad Pitre, D.A.
DA Office News
Recent Headlines
TWO DEFENDANTS, TWO LIFE SENTENCES – St. Landry District Attorney’s Office Convicts Again
On June 30, 2025, after eight days of testimony and just under two hours of deliberation, a St. Landry Parish jury convicted both Jaden Ardoin (21) of Krotz Springs and Jaimon Mason (23) of Port Barre of the First-Degree Murder of Wade Vaughn-Smith (20) and the Attempted First-Degree Murder of James Preston Vaughn (22). The Vaughn brothers were from Melville. Around 7:30pm on February 15, 2022, the 911 calls came in describing several gunshots and a truck ablaze after it struck a tree near a cemetery on HWY 105 between Krotz Springs and Melville. The jury found both defendants guilty of shooting at the truck; the evidence established that a .556 bullet struck the deceased, who was driving the truck. Firearm experts also testified that a 9mm SAR handgun found in Mason’s possession was the source of a 9mm casing found at the scene of the shooting, similar to a 9mm bullet fragment found in the tailgate of the victims’ truck.
Both Ardoin and Mason face a mandatory life in prison without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence for the First-Degree Murder conviction, and ten to fifty years in prison for the Attempted Murder conviction. Sentencing is set for August 7th. Assistant District Attorney Kylie Leblanc was lead prosecutor for the state. Alisa Gothreaux also assisted in the prosecution. District Attorney Chad Pitre thanked St. Landry Sheriff’s Deputies for their investigation in bringing justice for the family of Vaughn-Smith.
Recent Headlines
District Attorney Pitre: Grand Jury Indictments
Three Indicted for First-Degree Murder in Opelousas “Drive By” Shooting.
According to District Attorney Chad Pitre, the St. Landry Parish Grand Jury today indicted Gerard Griffin, Deshawn Hickman, and Isaiarion Warden for first-degree murder of Jaleel Guidry; three counts of attempted first-degree murder; and one count of assault by drive-by shooting. On October 20, 2024, Guidry, his girlfriend, and his two young children came under fire from numerous gun shots while sitting in their parked vehicle outside their home in the 800 block of Ina Clare Drive. The gun fire came from a black SUV driving in the area; Griffin, Hickman, and Warden were later determined to be the occupants of the vehicle and the shooters. The investigation also revealed that Alexziah Joseph and Finecia Draper became accessories after the fact when they aided the shooters in an attempt to conceal their identities and avoid punishment. Joseph and Draper were both indicted with one count of being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. All defendants will be set for arraignment on their respective charges on the Court’s next available date.
Opelousas Man Indicted for Second-Degree Murder
Additionally, D.A. Pitre said the Grand Jury indicted Danger Johnson, 24 of Opelousas with the Second-Degree Murder of seventeen-year-old Davasha Robertson. The shooting occurred on the corner of Kim Drive and Washington Street in Opelousas. Mr. Johnson shot at a vehicle with five occupants, including Ms. Robertson. He is also charged with four counts of attempted murder. Second Degree Murder carries a mandatory penalty of life imprisonment. Mr. Johnson will be arraigned on April 3, 2025.
Babysitter Indicted for Child’s Death
The District Attorney said the final Grand Jury indictment was on Sara Sonnier, 59 of Opelousas, for Negligent Homicide of D.L., a thirteen-month-old child, which occurred in Sonnier’s home on Tulip Drive in Opelousas. The child died the morning of October 27, 2024, two hours after being dropped off to Sonnier’s home. Sonnier was the child’s babysitter. Sonnier’s arraignment is set for March 13, 2025.
“GRAND JURY INDICTMENTS”
On January 14, 2025, the St. Landry Parish Grand Jury indicted Mark Anthony Riggins for the second-degree murder of Marcus James Henry. On the afternoon of Saturday, September 28, 2024, Henry was found on the 800 block of St. Cyr Street in Opelousas with multiple stab wounds to the neck and torso. Riggins is set for arraignment on February 13, 2025. Second Degree Murder carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment, without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.
The St. Landry Parish Grand Jury also indicted Kylan Rahmaad Malone for the negligent homicide of Isaiah Johnson and for Obstruction of Justice. The incident occurred at Johnson’s home on May 25, 2024, on Willard Lane in Opelousas. Malone is set to be arraigned on January 23, 2025.
We are your District Attorney office.
We exist to serve you, the people of St. Landry Parish, with the utmost integrity. If you have any questions or needs, we want to help serve you, please contact our office at any time.
Contact Us:
Address: 231 S Union St, Opelousas, LA 70570
Office Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday
Administration: (337) 948-3041
Felony: (337) 948-0551
Traffic: (337) 948-0531
Support Enforcement: (337) 942-5719