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Fifth Judicial District Attorney's Office

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Rayville, LA
Fifth Judicial District Attorney's Office

The Fifth Judicial District Attorney's Office will provide an open, ethical, and proactive office st

08/08/2025

NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION IN RICHLAND PARISH LEADS TO FORTY-TWO ARREST WARRANTS

The Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division issues forty-two arrest warrants for twenty-three individuals Thursday morning. These warrants are the result of narcotics investigations that have been ongoing for several months. As of today, fifteen individuals are in custody, and the remaining suspects are expected to be arrested in the coming days.

Of the forty-two warrants, thirty-eight are for the distribution of narcotics, with bonds set as high as $1,000,000.

Sheriff Neal Harwell states, “These kinds of investigations and arrests take time, but they are paramount in removing drugs and drug dealers from our communities.”

Sheriff Harwell also says, “I am extremely grateful to all of the RPSO deputies and the citizens of Richland Parish who made this mission a success. An investigation like this takes deputies from every division to move it from an initial complaint to booking in our detention center.”

He also thanks Probation and Parole for their assistance with the operation.

05/21/2025

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to our nation. Our office will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of the holiday. We are grateful for the freedoms they fought to protect.

05/15/2025

🎓 Congratulations to the Class of 2025! 🎓

You did it! After years of hard work, late nights, early mornings, and countless memories, you’ve reached a major milestone. We’re so proud of your determination, your resilience, and your accomplishments.

As you close this chapter and step into the next, remember: the future is wide open—and it’s yours for the taking. Go chase your dreams, make a difference, and never stop learning.
Here's to the Class of 2025—the future looks brighter because of you!

05/01/2025

📣 We’re proud to share that two of our team members, Cierra Wallace and Jordan Wilson, are attending the LDAA’s 49th Annual Support Staff Conference this week! 💼✨
This annual event brings together dedicated support professionals from across the state to learn, grow, and connect.
Thank you both for representing our office so well! 👏

04/26/2025

This week, our Coordinator of Rural High Risk Teams, Christy Montgomery, joined Investigator Kerri Moroni of the Richland Parish Sheriff's Office at the End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) Conference in Anaheim, California.

The conference, titled International Conference on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Forging New Pathways, brings together experts, advocates, and law enforcement from across the globe to collaborate on strategies to end gender-based violence.

Partnerships like ours are vital. When advocates and law enforcement work together, we can better support survivors, hold offenders accountable and build safer communities for everyone.

We’re proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners as we continue this important work.

04/17/2025

At the end of Tuesday’s legislative session, we had the honor of showing our appreciation at the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association Legislative Appreciation Event.
A heartfelt thank you to our legislators for their hard work and dedication. We served Sweet Potato Crunch made with sweet potatoes from Delhi’s own Black Gold Farms, topped with pecans from Franklin Parish—and they were a hit!
We were also proud to showcase artifacts from the historic Poverty Point World Heritage Site in West Carroll Parish—highlighting the rich history and culture of our region.

04/08/2025

ATTENTION

Petit jurors that were ordered to return to court on Wednesday, April 9 at 9AM, DO NOT need to appear. The last case on the docket has been resolved with a guilty plea.

The District Attorney’s Office appreciates your willingness to serve your community!!

12/16/2024

The District Attorney's Office is deeply saddened by the loss of our friend, Sheriff Gary Gilley. He was a faithful public servant who spent his entire life working for the community he loved. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family and the Richland Parish Sheriff's Office.

09/30/2024

On Thursday, September 26, 2024, a Richland Parish jury unanimously convicted Hermandus Semien of the first degree murder of Officer Marshall Waters of the Mangham Police Department. Semien was also convicted of the armed robbery of Langston Yancey, theft of a motor vehicle and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Assistant District Attorney Doug Wheeler prosecuted the case for the Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office, with the trial beginning on Monday, September 23, 2024.

Evidence presented at the trial revealed that Semien, a resident of Ville Platte, Louisiana, traveled to Rayville on October 17, 2020, with the intent to rob Yancey’s Pharmacy. Semien held pharmacist Langston Yancey at gunpoint, stealing his cell phone, iPad, truck and narcotics from the pharmacy.

After the robbery, Semien drove Yancey’s stolen truck south on Highway 425 toward Mangham. Officer Marshall Waters, unaware that Semien had just committed the robbery and was armed and dangerous, pulled him over for speeding. As Officer Waters approached the vehicle, Semien shot him once in the abdomen with a .45 caliber pistol. Officer Waters, who served as both a patrol officer for the Mangham Police Department and an EMT, later died from complications of the gunshot would on November 5, 2020.

Following the shooting, Semien fled south into Franklin Parish, where he became the target of a multi-agency manhunt. He was eventually apprehended by Agent Lee Tarver of Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and Major Mike Wilson of the Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office.

District Attorney Penny Douciere stated that the mandatory sentence for first degree murder is life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. She noted that the sentence for armed robbery ranges from 10 to 99 years. Douciere expressed gratitude to the Mangham Police Department, Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, NE Louisiana Ambulance Service and the many doctors and medical staff who worked tirelessly to save Officer Waters’ life. She also thanked those involved in investigating and safely capturing the suspect.

06/08/2024

UPDATE UPDATE.........
June 7, 2024 Richland Parish Sheriff's Office served arrest warrants on Bradley Caldwell for 2cts. Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, 1ct. Theft of Livestock, and 1ct. Criminal Trespass, in reference to an on-going livestock investigation.

Caldwell is currently being held in the Caldwell Parish Detention Center for unrelated charges.

At this time, no bond has been set for the Richland Parish charges.

Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office, Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Livestock Brand Commission are actively investigating the death of (2) two head of cattle.

This incident occurred off of La. Hwy 561 near the Boeuf River, between the dates of Saturday May 11th and Friday May 17th.

Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in obtaining any information pertaining to this incident.

If your tip leads to an arrest and/or indictment, you will be eligible to receive a cash reward from Crime Stoppers of North Delta and Livestock Brand Commission. Your information remains confidential-you never leave your name and you never appear in court.

Please contact Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-728-2071 or Crime Stoppers of North Delta at 318-388-CASH (2274), crimestoppersnorthdelta.com

05/22/2024

Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office, Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Livestock Brand Commission are actively investigating the death of (2) two head of cattle.

This incident occurred off of La. Hwy 561 near the Boeuf River, between the dates of Saturday May 11th and Friday May 17th.

Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office is seeking the publics assistance in obtaining any information pertaining to this incident.

If your tip leads to an arrest and/or indictment, you will be eligible to receive a cash reward from Crime Stoppers of North Delta and Livestock Brand Commission. Your information remains confidential-you never leave your name and you never appear in court.

Please contact Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-728-2071 or Crime Stoppers of North Delta at 318-388-CASH (2274), crimestoppersnorthdelta.com

05/01/2024

The Richland Parish Sheriff's Office, along with Rayville, Delhi, Mangham Police Departments, La Probation & Parole, and members of the DEA taskforce conducted a narcotics round-up throughout our parish this morning.
Richland Parish Narcotics unit issued seventy-five (75) drug warrants, ranging from distribution of methamphetamines, distribution of crack co***ne, distribution of fentanyl and various prescription medications. RPSO also conducted two (2) search warrants, with several fi****ms seized.
Twenty-five (25) individuals were arrested, with the remainder to be arrested within the next few days.
Bonds ranging from five thousand dollars ($5,000) to two hundred and forty thousand dollars ($240,000)
Sheriff Gary Gilley stated.
A list of the individuals arrested will be posted at a later date.

Address

Rayville, LA

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm

Website

http://www.fifthda.org/

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