A West Monroe man is in jail after pretending to be a woman online and convincing another man to drive from California to Ouachita Parish. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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The two Republicans in the governor’s race have made some big moves this week. Matt Doyle has the story.
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48-year-old James William Eaton of West Monroe is in jail after posing online as a woman and luring another man to drive from California to Ouachita Parish thinking he was marrying that woman. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Glen Springfield says the victim claims to have sent Eaton a total of $1000.
Cut 3 (10) “…other gifts too.”
When questioned, Eaton allegedly told deputies he did not know the victim and never received anything from him. But Springfield says investigators found a box mailed to Eaton’s alter ego “Rose Williams” from the victim.
Springfield believes Eaton thought he’d never end up actually meeting the victim and says this case is another reminder to be careful with who you interact with online.
It is unclear how long the relationship had been going on.
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The GOP side of the governor’s race is starting to heat up with Eddie Rispone opening a substantial statewide advertisement blast and Congressman Abraham securing a major endorsement.
Abraham may be behind his fellow Republican in funding, but he continues to snag party endorsements, this time from a legislative heavyweight, House Republican Chairman Lance Harris.
Harris says he’s seeing a lot of support for Abraham in his Alexandria based district.
After the Alexandria Republican’s attempt in the last session to roll back a 2018 sales tax failed, he got a call from the Congressman, who vowed, if elected, that he would get that effort over the finish line.
The Rispone campaign adds they too would make it a priority to repeal the sales tax.
The Congressman may be scoring GOP endorsements, but Rispone’s camp is beginning to utilize its significant financial advantage by putting the candidate’s face on TVs across the state…
That’s Rispone campaign communications director Anthony Ramirez who says expect to see the candidate’s message on everything from nightly news to Monday Night Football.
The Baton Rouge businessman may be trailing Abraham in name recognition, but his camp is planning to use that five million dollars plus ad buy, to send a clear message to a lynchpin GOP constituency.
The primary will be held October 12th, and if no candidate cracks 50 percent of the vote, a run-off will be held November 16th.
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Three people are dead including a toddler, all from Olla, after an 18-wheeler rear-ended the Ford Fiesta they were traveling in, causing the vehicle to overturn. State Trooper Scott Moreau says no one was properly restrained in the Ford being driven by a 17-year-old girl, the only survivor in the vehicle.
The two of the deceased were identified as 45-year-old Vicki Sears, 24-year-old Brittany Martin, and the toddler was unnamed. The driver of the Ford sustained moderate injuries. Moreau says this wreck is another reminder that not wearing a seatbelt remains the number one cause of death in vehicle crashes.
Moreau says some of the worst accidents for troopers to see are those involving small children. On Thursday, a new car seat law goes into effect aims to reduce child injuries and fatalities.
The driver of the 18-wheeler was Joseph Pardue, who was wearing his seat belt and he sustained moderate injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
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The St. John Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double homicide. Sheriff Mike Tregre says the victims are cousins, 18 and 20-years old and they were found in a vehicle on West Airline Highway and East 22nd Street in Reserve. Tregre says they are looking for the suspects
The deceased individuals have been identified as 18-year-old Kerell Sanders and 20-year-old Kyron Perrilloux. Both were from Reserve. Tregre says violence like this involving young men is far too common
Tregre is confident his deputies will make an arrest