SERVING ASCENSION, ASSUMPTION & ST. JAMES PARISHES

During the week of January 12 – January 16, 2026, the following defendants pled guilty to various charges and were sentenced in the 23rd Judicial District Court, parishes of Ascension, Assumption, and St. James.

Posted on by Claire Falgoust

Ascension Parish: 

  1. On August 26, 2025, Markeith Martin of 5711 Count Ln. New Orleans, LA, age 33, pled guilty to Attempted 2nd Degree Murder. Sentencing was deferred to a later date. On January 13, 2026, the defendant was sentenced to 30 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. The said sentence is to be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. 

The above case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Chris Carter, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Cody Martin. 

Assumption Parish: 

  1. Shawn Griffin, 25350 Stassi Rd. Plaquemine, LA, age 34, pled guilty to Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance and DWI 1st Sentencing was deferred to a later date pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation. 
  1. Junious Henderson III, 122 Scott Dr. Napoleonville, LA, age 34, pled guilty to Exploitation of Persons with Infirmities and was sentenced to 2 ½ years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. 
  1. Kent Coupel, 663 Hwy 403 Napoleonville, LA, age 40, pled guilty to 2nd Degree Battery and was sentenced to 2 years with the Louisiana Department of Correction with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 2 years supervised probation. 

The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lana Chaney, and presiding over these matters was the Honorable Judge John Smith. 

St. James Parish: 

  1. On August 11, 2025, Brent Louque of 2159 Levy Gaudet St. Paulina, LA, age 45, pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance (2 counts), Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Illegal Possession of Weapons – CDS. Sentencing was deferred to a later date pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation. On January 12, 2026, the defendant was sentenced to 8 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served on each count. All sentences are to run concurrent with one another. 

The above case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Adam Koenig, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Steven Tureau.