Jefferson County Jury Sentences Repeat Offender to 28 Years for Continuous Child Sexual Abuse

BEAUMONT, Texas — A jury in Jefferson County has convicted 43-year-old David Allen Tovar of continuous sexual abuse of a child. The verdict was delivered last Friday, and a sentencing hearing was held on Monday, where the court imposed a 28-year prison term. Tovar, a registered sex offender, faced serious allegations stemming from multiple incidents involving a minor. As a first-degree felony, continuous sexual abuse of a child carries a potential sentence ranging from 25 years to life imprisonment, highlighting the gravity of the offenses. During the trial, which took place under Judge John Stevens, … Read more

Jefferson County Judge Orders St. Louis Man to Prison After Multiple Probation Violations in Drug Case

A Jefferson County judge has sentenced a St. Louis man to five years in prison after revoking his probation for the second time. Archie Smith, 45, had previously been convicted on two counts of possession of a controlled substance, as detailed in court records. Judge Brenda Stacey of the Jefferson County Division 4 Circuit Court made her decision on August 26, enforcing two concurrent five-year sentences. These sentences were issued following Smith’s earlier plea agreement related to drug charges he faced. The case, which was prosecuted by Assistant Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsay Whalen, began … Read more

Family Seeks Justice in Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Teen Found Deceased in Jefferson County

In Jefferson County, a family has initiated a lawsuit concerning the alleged wrongful death of a 16-year-old boy whose lifeless body was discovered in a wooded area last month. The family seeks legal redress, claiming negligence and emotional distress related to the circumstances surrounding his untimely passing. The lawsuit names various parties in its allegations, emphasizing that the teenager’s death could have been prevented. According to the family’s attorney, the conditions leading up to the discovery of the boy’s body raise serious questions about safety protocols in the area, as well as the actions taken … Read more

Jefferson Parish Man Convicted in 2019 Shooting Spree That Claimed Three Lives

JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — A jury has found a Metairie man guilty in a 2019 shooting spree that resulted in the deaths of three individuals. Sean Barrette, 28, was convicted on multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, following a violent incident where he fired at motorists. The shooting occurred when Barrette used a Smith and Wesson .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol, acquired from a local sporting goods store less than a month prior to the incident. Evidence from the crime scenes, including ballistic analysis and recovered bullets, linked him to the attacks. Additionally, authorities found … Read more