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Press Releases>
Six arrested in Dubberly vandalism case
- Seventh arrest expected soon
Dubberly, La. --
Dec 17, 2009 --
  
  
Top (L-R): Anderson; Deloach; Harris
Bottom (L-R): Butler; Bourn; Bookston
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Six arrests followed Webster investigation into Dubberly vandalisms
-Sheriff’s investigators, Dubberly Police join to close case fast
December 17, 2009-- Six arrests have been made in the Dubberly sign vandalisms and another is expected. Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office lead investigators Lt. Dustin Reynolds, Sgt. Scott Tucker and Det. Tommy Kemp, working with Dubberly Police Chief Charles Mims, followed leads yesterday in reported incidents of mailbox bashing in the South Webster area.
“Chief Mims formally requested assistance from our investigators to work as a team to quickly solve this very disturbing case; and of course we’re always willing and ready to assist when called upon by other agencies,” said Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Dep. Jenny Reynolds. “Our detectives thought there may have been a connection to the reports of mailbox bashing in that area so that’s where they began.”
These initial leads took them straight to one of the first men arrested, Craig Ryan Bourn. During interviews with Bourn, 20, of Heflin, detectives learned more information that led them further. By the early morning hours they had pieced together a puzzle resulting in arrests of five others, and the issuance of arrest warrants for one more.
“We were amazed by the response of the community to provide leads and information that helped close this case so quickly,” said Det. Sgt. Tucker.
The mailbox bashing incidents were followed by two incidents of spray painting of signs in Dubberly. On November 25, 2009, seven signs were spray painted with crude, inappropriate and unacceptable pictures, language and symbols of racism. Those arrested for involvement on this event were Dustin Butler, Jeffrey Anderson, Brandon Deloach, Brandon Bookston and Craig Bourn, all between the ages of 18 and 20, and all from south-Webster communities. Charges included felony criminal damage to property and hate crimes.
A later incident on December 14, 2009, seventeen signs were spray painted with similar pictures and remarks. Damage to the Dubberly Town Hall was also discovered. Signs specifically named Dubberly’s Chief of Police Charles Mims. Those charged in this incident were Dustin Butler, Jeffery Anderson, Brandon Deloach, and Brandon Bookston. Charges included those for felony damage to property and hate crimes.
“These suspects did a very stupid thing and I still don’t think they understand the ramifications of their actions,” said Tucker. “The majority of these suspects’ families were shocked by their actions; although one of the suspects still thought it was funny.”
Ethan Cody Harris, 18, of Dubberly was not charged in relation to the sign painting, but did receive a charge for felony criminal damage to property for bashing mailboxes. The other boys arrested were also charged in connection with the mailbox vandalisms.
Arrests made included:
- Craig Ryan Bourn, 20, of Heflin: 2 counts of felony criminal damage to property; 1 count for hate crimes.
- Brandon Michael Bookston, 19, of Dubberly: 3 counts for felony criminal damage to property; 2 counts for hate crimes.
- Brandon Ryan Deloach, 19, of Dubblery: 3 counts of felony criminal damage to property; 2 counts for hate crimes.
- Dustin Ryan Butler, 18, of Dubberly: 3 counts of felony criminal damage to property; 2 counts for hate crimes.
- Jeffery Allan Anderson, Jr., 19, of Sibley: 3 counts of felony criminal damage to property and 2 counts for hate crimes.
- Ethan Cody Harris, 18, of Dubberly: 1 count of felony criminal damage to property for participation in damaging mailboxes.
“This is another example of how quickly we can work to get things done and solve community-specific cases like this one when we work jointly to share information, skill and technique,” said Det. Lt. Reynolds. “We’re very pleased to have gotten to the bottom of this so fast.”
Sheriff’s investigators have also tied these men to another similar incident in Bienville Parish, and hope these arrests and resulting charges will help to put a stop to this type of crime.
“I’m just so glad to see this case nailed down; the nature of this one was truly unsettling,” said Sheriff Sexton. “It was a very serious offense and these are very serious charges.” The penalties for these charges are serious, too. They carry up to a $1000 fine and up to two years in jail per count for felony criminal damage to property, and up to a $5000 fine and up to five years in jail per count for hate crimes.
“I’m very happy,” said Dubberly Police Chief Charles Mims. “This all worked out good and was a smooth operation with us [Dubberly Police] working together with the Sheriff’s detectives. I’m very proud of the outcome and I’m sure our Dubberly residents will be equally as proud.”
All six men were transported and booked at Webster’s Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center, and the seventh arrest is expected to come soon.
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Webster Parish Sheriff's Department
Sheriff Gary S. Sexton
410 Main Street
P.O. Box 877
Minden, LA 71058
318-377-1515
admin@webstersheriff.org
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