SERVING ASCENSION, ASSUMPTION & ST. JAMES PARISHES

During the week of January 19 – January 23, 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. Donnell Bates, 715 Marchand Ave. Gonzales, LA, age 37, pled guilty to Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling and Remaining in Places or Land after Being Forbidden. The defendant was sentenced to 1 year with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. 
  1. Tanisha Jackson, 9124 Mable Dr. Baton Rouge, LA, age 50, pled guilty to Exploitation of Persons with Infirmities and was sentenced to 2 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. 
  1. On May 19, 2025, Clydedric Joseph of 2190 Levy Gaudet St. Lutcher, LA, age 31, pled guilty to Attempted Manslaughter. Sentencing was deferred to a later date pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation. On January 20, 2026, the defendant was sentenced to 20 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. 
  1. Josue Maldonado-Torres, 39036 Holly Hill Dr. Gonzales, LA, age 23, pled guilty to Aggravated Flight from an Officer. Sentencing was deferred to a later date pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation. 
  1. On July 2, 2025, an Ascension Parish Jury found 37-year-old Marty Leonard of Pierre Part, LA, guilty of 2nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property (3 counts). Upon returning a guilty verdict in this matter, sentencing was deferred to a later date. On January 20, 2026, Marty Leonard was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. 

The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Adam Koening and Lana Chaney. Presiding over these matters was the Honorable Judge Steven Tureau. 

  1. Margaretta Dyer, Clinton, LA, age 40, pled guilty to Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance and was sentenced to 24 months with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 36 months supervised probation. 
  1. Catherine Riley, Saint Amant, LA, age 42, pled guilty to Possession of Heroin and was sentenced to 2 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. 

The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Charles “Chuck” Long, Robin O’Bannon, and Kenneth Dupaty. Presiding over these matters was the Honorable Judge John Smith. 

  1. Derrick McDowell, 251 Vintage Dr. Covington, LA, age 26, pled guilty to Accessory After the Fact of Simple Escape from Custody and was sentenced to 1 year with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. 
  1. Kalvin Forcell, 1208 McKinley St. Donaldsonville, LA, age 36, pled guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Simple Criminal Damage to Property Valued at $1,000 or More, but Less than $50,000. The defendant was sentenced to 8 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. 
  1. Jarvis Buchanan, 407 Avenue G Kentwood, LA, age 22, pled guilty to Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway Commerce and was sentenced to 5 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 3 years supervised probation. 
  1. Justin London, 13924 Chalmette Ave. Baton Rouge, LA, age 21, pled guilty to Attempted Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or Controlled Dangerous Substance and Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms. The defendant was sentenced to 5 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 3 years supervised probation. 
  1. Isaiah Thorton, 37300 Christian Ave. Prairieville, LA, age 20, pled guilty to Aggravated Flight from an Officer and was sentenced to 5 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 5 years supervised probation. 
  1. Matthew Wise. 17648 Joe Sevario Rd. Prairieville, LA, age 41, pled guilty to Theft Valued at $1,000 or More, but Less than $5,000 and was sentenced to 18 months with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 18 months supervised probation. 

The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Leila Braswell, and presiding over these matters was the Honorable Judge Keyojuan Turner. 

Assumption Parish: 

  1. Christopher Roberts, 6972 Hwy 1 Belle Rose, LA, age 40, pled guilty to Illegal Use of Weapons or Dangerous Instrumentalities and was sentenced to 2 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 3 years supervised probation. 
  1. Darien Henry, 2161 North Vega Baton Rouge, LA, age 25, pled guilty to Nonconsensual Disclosure of a Private Image (5 counts) and was sentenced to 10 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 5 years supervised probation. 
  1. James Thomas, 608 Airline Hwy Gramercy, LA, age 44, pled guilty to Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance and was sentenced to 18 months with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 18 months supervised probation. 
  1. Kirby Darensbourg, 132 Jacobs St. Napoleonville, LA, age 17, pled guilty to Aggravated Assault with a Firearm and was sentenced to 18 months with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served, to be suspended, and placed on 18 months supervised probation. 
  1. Dusty Falcon, 461 Hwy 400 Napoleonville, LA, age 43, pled guilty to Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance and was sentenced to 18 months with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. The said sentence is to run concurrent with defendant’s parole revocation. 

The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Thomas Daigle, and presiding over these matters was the Honorable Judge Cody Martin. 

St. James Parish: 

  1. On October 10, 2025, a St. James Parish Jury found 41-year-old Edward Young III of 2184 Levy Gaudet St. Lutcher, LA, guilty of Attempted 1st Degree Murder of a Police Officer, Illegal Use of Weapons or Dangerous Instrumentalities, and Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm. On January 22, 2026, the defendant was sentenced to 25 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. The District Attorney’s Office intends to file a habitual offender bill in this matter. 

The above case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Adam Koenig and Bruce Mohon. Presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Cody Martin.