Chief Neal Lartigue with the Ville Platte Police Department reported multiple arrests for narcotics and cyber stalking.

Lartigue would like citizens to understand that cyber stalking is becoming more prevalent in this community and it’s a charge that the department is taking seriously.

Cyber stalking, according to Louisiana law, is the “Electronic communication, meaning computer, cell phone, pager, video recorder or other means sent to a person identified by a unique address or address number and received by that person.

“Use in electronic mail or electronic communication of any words or language threatening to inflict bodily harm to any person or to such person’s child, sibling, spouse or dependent or physical injury to the property of any person, or for the purpose of extorting money or other things of value from any person. Electronic mail or electronically communicating to another and to knowingly make any false statement concerning death, injury, illness, disfigurement, indecent conduct, or criminal conduct of the person electronically mailed or of any member of the person’s family or household with the intent to threaten, terrify or harass.”

Louisiana law also states that for juveniles, the same law applies as cyber bullying.

“These crimes will be taken as seriously as any other crime.” Lartigue said, “I want everyone to understand that cyber stalking is a felony charge.” Lartigue went on to say, “People should be aware that cyber stalking isn’t just by way of text messaging or calling on a phone. Everyone should also be cautious of what they say on social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter.”

Lartigue also reported five arrests this week due to a cyber stalking complaint that was filed with the Ville Platte Police Department on July 29. After an investigation was conducted, there was evidence of cyber stalking that led to a warrant being executed on the following suspects.

•Lafonda Castille, 22, 190 Beauregard St., Opelousas, was arrested on August 9, and charged with cyber stalking. Castille was released on a $5,000 bond set by 13th Judicial District Judge Thomas Fuselier.

•Monique Holmes, 24, 1578 Old Tram Road, Oakdale, was arrested on August 9, and charged with cyber stalking. Holmes was released on a $5,000 bond set by Judge Fuselier.

•Markeisha Chapman 20, 706 Second St., Mamou, was arrested on August 9, and charged with cyber stalking. Chapman was released on a $5,000 bond set by Judge Fuselier.

•Bianca Landry, 23, 1321 First St., Mamou, was arrested on August 10, and charged with cyber stalking. Landry was released on a $5,000 bond set by Judge Fuselier.

•Keosha Thomas, 21, 125 South 13th St., Oakdale, was arrested on August 13, and charged with cyber stalking. Thomas was released on a $5,000 bond set by Judge Fuselier.

Narcotics Arrests

Lartigue also reported the Narcotics Division is working hard to fight the narcotics problem in the city and the department has made several arrests.

•Costandzer Arvie, 23, 706 Derouen St., Ville Platte, was arrested during a traffic stop and charged with resisting by flight and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Arvie was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail, where he remains incarcerated on a $15,000 bond and a hold for the Office of Probation and Parole and also a hold for the Mamou Police Department on an outstanding warrant.

•Jonathan Serialle, 22, 1010 Mattie Lane, Ville Platte, was arrested during a traffic stop and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Seraille was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail, where he remains incarcerated on a $15,000 bond.

•Luvell Ferguson, 22, 2076 B.L. Ferguson Road, Ville Platte, was arrested during a traffic stop and charged with possession of marijuana.

Ferguson was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail, where he remains incarcerated in a $2,500 bond.

•Paul Durgin, 32, 111 East LaSalle St., Ville Platte, was arrested during a traffic stop and charged with failure to signal 100 feet prior to turn and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Durgin was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail, where he remains incarcerated on a $15,000 bond.

•Travosky Goodly, 29, 1072 Goodly Road, Ville Platte, was arrested during a traffic stop and charged with open container and possession of marijuana.

Goodly was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail, where he was released on a $2,700 bond.

Lartigue commended the officers and detectives for their hard work and also reminds citizens that anonymous tips are helping the officers and detectives remove drug offenders from the streets. Call and report illegal activity to the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313. Your call will remain anonymous.