From the Desk of DA

As you readers know, I have always maintained that reducing truancy is our community’s long term answer to reducing crime.   I began my term as your DA in late 2015 and 2016 by bringing together Caddo Parish Schools, Volunteers for Youth Justice (VYJ), and James Elrod, the then-CEO of Willis-Knighton hospitals to, through the generosity of Mr. Elrod, begin a first-of-its-kind truancy program, where truancy case workers were hired and assigned to all elementary schools in Caddo Parish to work with children and families in need.   In one year of this program, Caddo truancy court numbers of elementary-aged children  went from 750 to 25.     

Unfortunately, then came Covid, and after the yearlong  attempt of on-line home learning, the post-Covid years spike of crime and truancy in cities throughout America hit home as our country struggled to get many at-risk youth back into their schools.      

Since then, and together with Caddo Parish Schools, VYJ, and the Caddo Parish Juvenile Court, we have been busy in rectifying the damage.  Frankly, it has not been easy.  With Caddo’s public magnet school system and large private school system drawing enormous numbers of higher-achieving students and educationally-active parents, the neighborhood public schools endure many challenges.   This school year, Caddo schools, VYJ, and I  began a program designed to address truant children before the juvenile court system becomes involved.   

I am happy to report to you that these efforts have paid off.    Caddo Parish Schools reports that in two years, Caddo has decreased truancy rates by nearly 24 percent districtwide.  Additionally between Fall 2024 and fall 2025,  Caddo has seen 39 schools decrease truancy rates by at least 10 percent; 11 of those schools decreased by 20 percent; and 91 percent of schools improved truancy rates over the year.  And I can report to you that EVERY child and family referred to my office for truancy court has been addressed and is now under monitoring to ensure their regular  attendance at school. 

As this school year speeds to an end, I want to thank those that have helped us reduce truancy.  The future of our community depends on it.   And as I believed, the truancy and crime decreases work hand-in-hand.   Truancy is down.  The Mayor and Shreveport Police confirm that crime continues to go down.  And our parish juvenile jail population is at an all time low.

Our office had a busy March.  Among cases of public interest:

* Our office will seek the death penalty against the accused slayer of a Vivian police officer killed late last year. 

Nicholas Edward Alexander, 58, of Vivian, is accused of firing shots that killed Officer Marc Brock, 25, the evening of November 14, 2025. Brock and a fellow officer were attempting to serve an arrest warrant for cyberstalking. After the officers announced themselves and attempted entry, Alexander fired two shotgun blasts through the closed front door, striking and mortally wounding Brock. The officer died later that night.

This case involves the killing of a law enforcement officer who was performing his duty to protect the community. Our office is committed to pursuing justice for Officer Brock, his family, and the community he served.

Alexander was indicted by a Caddo Parish Grand Jury on February 10 on one count of first-degree murder and the three related misdemeanor charges.

On March 10, 2026, the office formally filed notice of its intent to seek the death penalty related to the first-degree murder charge.

Under Louisiana law, the killing of a peace officer is punishable by life in prison at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence or by death, in accordance with the determination of the jury.

The case is docket No. 413238.

* A Shreveport man whose criminal past prevents him from possessing a firearm was convicted of that crime March 19.

The eight-woman, four-man jury in District Judge Donald E. Hathaway's court deliberated 30 minutes before returning its unanimous guilty-as-charged verdict against Germaine Marquise Jack, 26. 

Early January 13, 2025, Shreveport Police Officer Rodrick Carter was patrolling near the intersection of Gilbert Drive and Kings Highway when he observed a man in all-black clothing travelling on a bicycle without proper lighting equipment. Officer Carter stopped the subject and attempted to identify him. The man was unable to produce any form of ID but provided his name so the officer could run a background check. While checking for warrants, Officer Carter observed the outline of a firearm from the man's front hoodie pocket. Officer Carter then patted the defendant down and confirmed there was a Sig Sauer P365 9MM pistol in the hoodie pocket. Officer Carter then confirmed that the man, who proved to be Mr. Jack, had been convicted of three counts simple burglary in 2019, which prohibited him from possessing a firearm. 

When Mr. Jack returns to court April 2, he faces a prison term of at least five and up to 20 years at hard labor. However, if adjudicated to be a habitual offender, he could be sentenced up to life in prison.

Jack was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Chase Burgess and Jason Waltman. He was represented by the Caddo Parish Indigent Defender’s office.

The case was docket No. 406295.

* A Shreveport man who forced himself sexually upon a teenaged female family member, and who has a history of such behavior, was found guilty of second-degree rape March 18.

The six-man, six-woman jury in District Judge Ramona Emanuel's court deliberated about 20 minutes before returning its unanimous guilty verdict against Floyd Lee Cathron, 61. Jurors heard testimony from the victim and her mother, as well as the victim's counselor, a forensic interviewer and three police officers detailing the January 10, 2024 attack. Jurors also heard testimony regarding four prior instances of the defendant having sexual intercourse with children.

For conviction of second-degree rape, Cathron faces a prison term of up to 40 years at hard labor and lifetime registration as a sex offender when he returns to court for sentencing April 7. He also faces enhanced sentencing due to his prior criminal convictions for aggravated incest, aggravated rape and two counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile stemming from convictions in the early 2000s. The state also will seek enforcement of the new Louisiana castration law for sex offenders given Cathron’s prior history and his new conviction.

Cathron was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Fernando Grider Jr. and Senae D. Hall. He was defended by Royal Alexander and Dave Knadler.

The case was docket No. 405583.

* A Shreveport man was found guilty March 18 of domestic violence crimes, including strangulation of a dating partner, battery of a dating partner with child endangerment and 15 counts of violating protective orders. 

The unanimous verdicts against Lazavieyon Rashad Thomas, 36, returned by the jury after an hour's deliberation, concluded a three-day trial before District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr.

Evidence presented at trial established that on February 28, 2025, Mr. Thomas strangled an intimate partner during a custody exchange. The victim sustained visible injuries, including bruising to her neck and an arm, and hair was torn from her head during the assault, which occurred in the presence of a minor child.

Law enforcement responded to the scene, and emergency medical personnel were called due to the victim’s difficulty breathing. The victim later sought treatment at a local medical facility, reporting neck pain and difficulty swallowing, both consistent with strangulation injuries.

As part of its case, the state presented expert testimony in domestic violence and intimate partner violence to assist the jury in understanding the dynamics of abusive relationships, including patterns of power, control and victim behavior.

Prosecutors also introduced evidence of Mr. Thomas's prior abusive conduct toward former intimate partners over the period 2012-2015.

Despite the existence of a court-issued protective order prohibiting contact, the defendant repeatedly violated that order while incarcerated. Evidence introduced at trial showed that the defendant made multiple phone calls and sent numerous text messages to the victim, resulting in fifteen separate counts of violation of a protective order.

During the course of the case, the victim submitted five affidavits of non-prosecution and requested that the protective order be lifted. The Court denied that request and the protective order remained in place. The DA's office proceeded with prosecution despite those requests.

The prosecution of this case highlights the mission of the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit, which is specifically designed to address the unique challenges presented in domestic violence cases. These include victim reluctance or hesitation, recantation and affidavits of non-prosecution and ongoing manipulation or control by offenders.

The Special Victims Unit remains committed to ensuring that offenders are held accountable and that victims—and their children—are protected, even in circumstances where victims may feel unable to move forward.

Mr. Thomas is scheduled to return to court for sentencing April 21. He faces up to three years in prison at hard labor for battery of a dating partner with strangulation, up to three years at hard labor for battery of a dating partner with child endangerment and up to six months incarceration on each count of violation of a protective order. Prosecutors plan to seek consecutive sentences.

Mr. Thomas was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Britney A. Green and Christopher Bowman of the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit. Mr. Thomas represented himself at trial.

The case was docket No. 405583.

* A Shreveport man convicted earlier this month of terrorizing an elderly Shreveport woman, beating and robbing her and locking her bound in a closet in her Southern Hills home, may face enhanced sentencing, up to life in prison, as a habitual offender, following a hearing here March 18. 

An eight-woman, four-man jury in District Judge John D. Mosely Jr.'s court unanimously found March 4 that Kendrell Quinte Thomas, 24, committed home invasion and cruelty to persons with infirmities in July 2024 when he forced his way into the home of his victim, a 91-year-old widow. She had been found by concerned relatives early July 2, 2025, bound by wire and rope in a closet.

Thomas had been scheduled for sentencing March 18, but instead his post-trial motions were argued and denied by Judge Mosely. Supplemental discovery was filed including documents reflecting three prior felony convictions and a fourth felony habitual offender bill was filed. Thomas pleaded not guilty.

At his next court appearance April 15, a hearing will be held on the habitual offender bill. If he is adjudicated as a fourth felony offender, his sentencing range will expand to at least 30 years in prison without benefit of probation or suspension of sentence to life imprisonment prison, also without benefit of probation or suspension of sentence.

Thomas's victim said her assailant forced his way into the house, knocking her down and dragging her by her feet from room to room looking for money and jewelry. She said he beat her about her head, then tied her up and put her in the closet. Detectives found supporting images on nearby neighbors' cameras and from the bank, where one of the victim’s stolen checks had been cashed. Thomas was identified as the person who cashed the check, and he was arrested at his house with $1,800 in cash and belongings of the victim, clothing seen in the neighbor’s surveillance video, the backpack used in the crime and a ski mask.

Thomas was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ross Owen. He was represented by the Caddo Parish Indigent Defenders office.

The case was docket No. 409895.

* A former Caddo Parish man who raped and impregnated a female family member, then was convicted in Caddo District Court late last year, was sentenced March 17 to life plus 50 years in prison.

District Judge Chris Victory sentenced Larry Darby, 61, who on December 18, 2025, was found guilty of aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated incest and sexual battery. The charges stem from prolonged abuse that began in 2005 and led to the birth of a child. The case was reopened after new corroborating evidence came to light years later. The life term was for the rape, and the 50 years were for the other crimes, totaled. The terms are to be served consecutively.

During sentencing, the victim delivered a statement describing years of abuse, including being beaten and strangled into submission. She detailed lasting physical and emotional trauma, including the loss of most of her teeth and a diagnosis of PTSD.

Darby, convicted in Texas in 2022 for assaulting a stepchild, most recently lived in the Lone Star State. But he lived in Caddo Parish at the time of the crimes for which he has been convicted; he also lived in Bossier City earlier.

Assistant District Attorneys Ron Christopher Stamps and Britney A. Green of the Caddo District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit prosecuted Darby. 

The case was docket No. 396478.

* A Shreveport man who pleaded guilty in February to pointing an illegal handgun at a police drone last summer must serve a decade in prison, a Caddo Parish judge has ordered.

Eutravious Houston, 33, who admitted guilt February 26 before Caddo District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr., was ordered March 10 by Judge Hathaway to serve the sentence without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

On July 30, 2025, Shreveport police, along with the U.S. Marshals' Violent Offender Task Force, were executing arrest warrants in the 1500 block of Belwood Street in the Caddo Heights neighborhood. While looking for another individual suspected to be inside a residence, officers were told that Houston was inside and refusing to come out. After obtaining consent from the homeowner, a drone operated by officers with the Street Level Interdiction Unit flew into the house where Houston was observed pointing a Glock handgun directly at it. Officers ran Houston's name and discovered that he had been convicted of Illegal Use of Weapons in 2021, prohibiting him from possessing a firearm. 

Assistant District Attorneys Chase Burgess and Christopher S. Bowman prosecuted Houston. He was represented by the Caddo Indigent Defenders office. 

The case was docket No. 410419.

* A Shreveport man who pleaded guilty to a shopping list of crimes in December rather than face trial that would have exposed him to enhanced sentencing must serve more than 13 years in prison, a Caddo judge ruled March 3.

Jeremy Shaquille Oneal, 34, pleaded guilty December 16, 2025, to felony aggravated flight from officers and simple criminal property damage before District Judge Ramona Emanuel. The case, in docket No. 398664, concerned events of November 11, 2023, when Shreveport police attempted to pull him over for failure to use a turn signal on Jewella Avenue at West 70th Street. After officers activated their lights and sirens, Oneal led police on a pursuit with speeds in excess of 25 mph over the posted speed limit, driving west in the eastbound lanes, leaving the roadway and subsequently wrecking his vehicle on Gaywood Lane.

Oneal also pleaded guilty as charged to all the cases he had pending in Caddo District Court. Besides the immediate charges, he also pleaded guilty as charged to domestic abuse battery (third offense); domestic abuse child endangerment, violation of a protective order with battery of a protected person; and domestic abuse battery with a dangerous weapon. He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor resisting a police officer. 

In docket No. 398664, he was sentenced to three years hard labor for aggravated flight from an officer and one year at hard labor for simple criminal property damage. In docket No. 39899, domestic abuse battery third offense, he was sentenced to five years hard labor, to three years at hard labor for domestic abuse child endangerment, two years at hard labor for violation of a protective order with battery of a protected person, and 10 years at hard labor for domestic abuse battery with a dangerous weapon. He also received a three-month parish jail sentence for misdemeanor resisting an officer in docket No. 399163.  

The charges in each docket number are to be served concurrently with each other, but each sentence in a different docket number is to be served consecutively to each other, for a total of 13 years and 3 months.

Assistant District Attorneys Fernando Grider Jr. and Senae D. Hall prosecuted Oneal. Defense attorneys were Royal Alexander and Silver Sanders.

* A Shreveport man who groped and fondled a juvenile female at a large family gathering in 2022 was found guilty March 3.

The seven-man, five-woman jury in District Judge Chris Victory's court deliberated less than two hours before returning its unanimous guilty verdict against Willie Thomas Bryant, 68. He was charged with sexual battery of a person under age 13 and indecent behavior with a juvenile under age 13. 

The incident occurred July 6, 2022, when Bryant fondled and groped the girl over her clothing. The child disclosed the act to older siblings and eventually to her mother, who was unaware that Bryant was a registered sex offender. The girl was interviewed at the Gingerbread House Child Advocacy Center and the case was investigated by the Shreveport Police Department.

At trial, the jury heard from the girl, her mother, a forensic interviewer from the Gingerbread House, a fingerprint expert and the case detective. Bryant testified in his own defense. The jury also learned that Bryant was previously convicted of attempted forcible rape in the 1990s.

Bryant will return to Judge Victory's court April 8 for sentencing. For sexual battery, he faces a sentence of at least 25 years and up to 99 years at hard labor, while indecent behavior with a juvenile carries a sentence of at least two and up to 25 years at hard labor. Already a lifetime registered sex offender, he will have to register for the new convictions as well: lifetime registration for the sexual battery and 15 years for the indecent behavior.

Assistant District Attorneys Courtney N. Ray and Victoria T. Washington prosecuted the case. Michael Enright and Katie Miller defended Bryant.

The case was docket No. 404584.

Our office will be closed on Good Friday, April 3, 2026.   Have a Happy Easter!  Remember the reason for the season.

At your service,

James E. Stewart, Sr.

Caddo Parish District Attorney