On October 25, 2016, 23^rd Judicial District Judge Thomas Kliebert found Troy Jones of Prairieville, LA., age 40, guilty of 1 count of 2^nd Degree Kidnapping and Aggravated Battery. Jones was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Shawn Bush and Phil Maples.

           On September 19, 2015, the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call from a female subject advising that her mother and toddler were possibly missing or victims of a kidnapping. The caller advised that her mother failed to drop off her grandson prior to going into work and received information that the victim never made it to work. A BOLO was issued for the victim’s vehicle, and an Amber Alert was issued for the toddler. Several hours later, the victim, her grandson, and Troy Jones were located in Calcasieu Parish after deputies with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office located the victim’s vehicle. After a vehicle pursuit and a brief foot chase, deputies were able to identify the driver of the vehicle as Troy Jones. Jones was arrested by Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Deputies on arrest warrants issued in relation to a prior domestic dispute in Ascension Parish. Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Detectives traveled to Calcasieu Parish where they made contact with the victim. The victim advised that as she was getting into her vehicle with her grandson, she was approached by Jones who exited an abandoned vehicle parked on the property. Jones stabbed the victim with a “shank-like” object causing minor cuts to her body. The victim advised after being instructed to get into the vehicle, Jones drove the vehicle and proceeded to Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish. Jones made several stops along the way, but never allowed the victim to leave his sight. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Deputies were able to apprehend Jones as he was planning to drive back from Lake Charles. It should be noted that the victim was the estranged wife of Jones.

          Upon rendering a verdict, Judge Kliebert ordered that sentencing be deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation. Jones’ sentencing is tentatively scheduled for February 14, 2017. The District Attorney’s Office does intend to file a habitual offender bill. Jones has multiple prior felony convictions including 2^nd Degree Kidnapping and Armed Robbery. Judge Kliebert ordered that Jones be remanded to the custody of the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office.