The quiet of Father's Day weekend was shattered in St. John the Baptist Parish as a spate of gun crimes swept through the community. The St. John Parish Sheriff's Office reported that a task force, including their Detective Division, Narcotics Division, and SWAT team, quickly mobilized to firmly to capture those responsible. Their operations led to multiple arrests, notably among juveniles and young adults previously known to law enforcement.
Among those detained were Zion Pierce, a 17-year-old from LaPlace, held on charges including illegal handgun possession as a juvenile, and negligent carrying of a concealed handgun. Pierce was released on a $4500 bond the following day. Simultaneously, 19-year-old Trevon Duhe, also of LaPlace, faced arrest for illegal possession of a stolen firearm and managed to secure release on an $7500 bond two days later. Kani Jackson, another LaPlace teen, remains in custody on a $1000 bond facing similar charges to Pierce.
Ashley Johnson Jr., 17, from Reserve, encountered a string of charges: illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile, obstruction of justice, and illegal possession of a stolen firearm. He posted a $9500 bond for his release. A 15-year-old juvenile male's identity remains protected due to his age, but he faces severe charges including aggravated assault with a firearm and is currently held on a $7500 bond. The eldest of the group, 21-year-old Dajawn Johnson, was arrested on multiple charges including intent to distribute marijuana and illegal weapon carrying with controlled substances; his bond is set at a steep $24,000.
In the aftermath, detectives recovered seven firearms alongside drugs and paraphernalia. Sheriff Tregre, in a statement, asserted, "The St. John Sheriff's Office will use all available resources to remove illegal guns off the streets of St. John Parish," as per the St. John Parish Sheriff's Office.
