According to Sheriff John Ballance, on June 18, 2022 BPSO criminal investigations, narcotics and patrol had occasion to arrest James Havard, age 18, and Veronica Angel Clemons, age 33, both of Castor, along with two juvenile males as a result of an investigation involving stolen firearms and other items.

Seven firearms, four stolen in a gun store burglary and two stolen in a residential burglary in Webster Parish, were recovered along with another firearm taken in a vehicle burglary on Slay Woodard Road in Bienville Parish.

One of the two juvenile males has been arrested on the gun theft on Slay Woodard Rd. and was released to his parents pending court proceedings.

Havard and Ms. Clemons were charged with three counts each of possession of stolen firearms and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Havard along with a juvenile male were charged with simple theft of property from a residence in the Jamestown area.

As result of the simple theft charge, Havard was also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Additionally, Ms. Clemons was charged with three counts of failure to appear in court on three prior court matters.

The same two juvenile males have been arrested by Webster authorities for their role in the Webster gun store burglary and were released to their parents/guardians due to lack of bed space in local detention centers.

Havard, who is housed in Claiborne Detention on $95,000 bond for his Bienville Parish charges, has a hold from Webster Parish in connection to the gun store burglary. Ms. Clemons is housed in the Webster women’s jail in lieu of $60,000 bond.

According to an article by Bolnnie Culverhouse in the Webster Parish Journal, Webster Parish Sheriff’s Criminal Investigative Division has solved the burglary of a local firearms store.

Sheriff Jason Parker said there were three arrests – two juveniles and one 18-year-old – were made after discovery was made of the break-in at the U.S. Hwy. 80 east location.

“All three of those are from Bienville Parish,” Parker said. “They broke in and stole 12 handguns – the store owner discovered it June 13.”

Parker said video surveillance footage aided in the arrests.

“We worked in conjunction with Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office and were able to make a positive ID,” said the sheriff. “One is 14, one is 15 and the 18-year-old is identified as James Havard.”

The two younger boys were arrested in Webster Parish June 24 and released to their parents. They face juvenile court proceedings in Webster Parish.

Havard was arrested on a traffic stop in Bienville Parish June 18, and 2 of the stolen handguns were discovered in his vehicle. The guns have been confirmed as stolen from the Hwy. 80 firearms store.

“Havard was arrested in Bienville Parish,” he added. “He is being held there until he can be arrested on our charges, which are criminal damage to property, simple burglary and theft of firearms.”

Parker said his department is still investigating the location of the other 10 handguns. All 3 subjects have reportedly confessed to the theft.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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