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Two Leesville men have been arrested for burning a vehicle and later attempting to claim reimbursements for it.
Trent Johnson, 32, was charged with one count of arson with intent to defraud and one count of filing or maintaining false public records. Hugh Reibsome, 42, was charged with one count of simple arson.
According to the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office, deputies were notified of a vehicle on fire in the area of Billy James Road. Deputies, along with the Sandy Hill Fire Department, arrived at the scene and observed what appeared to be a crew-cab pickup truck on fire. The truck appeared to be a total loss, the sheriff's office said. Deputies were able to identify Johnson as the vehicle's owner from its license plates.
While on scene, deputies learned that witnesses saw two people fleeing from the scene and into a nearby residence. Deputies then traveled to 183 Billy James Rd. and spoke to Reibsome and other individuals.
Reibsome later admitted to removing numerous tools from the vehicle before setting the fire. He also indicated to detectives that his landlord, Johnson, made arrangements with him to burn the vehicle in exchange for past due rent plus additional money.
Upon initial contact, Johnson denied having any knowledge of such an arrangement. Deputies later learned that Johnson filed a claim with the Canal Insurance Company requesting reimbursement for the vehicle and tools contained within the vehicle, the amount sought exceeded $39,000.
Detectives met with Johnson again, who admitted to telling Reibsome that he would like for him to set fire to the truck but denied making arrangements to actually pay Reibsome to burn the vehcile.
Johnson also admitted that he himself had attempted to burn the vehcle unsuccessfully on one occassion a few days prior to the incident.
Reibsome's bond was set at $7,500 and Johnson's bond was set at $6,000; both individuals posted bond.
Two arrested after child abuse incident
A man and woman from Leesville were arrested on Jan. 10 after a 3-year-old female was brought to the sheriff's office with "numerous and disturbing injuries."
Bo Armes, 30, was charged with two counts of second degree cruelty to a juvenile and Monique Maattala, 23, was charged with one count of second degree cruelty to a juvenile.
According to the sheriff's office, a concerned citizen brought the 3-year-old female victim to the sheriff's office Tuesday, where deputies oberved "numerous and disturbing injuries" to the child.
The female is the daughter of Maattala; deputies later learned that Armes is Maatala's boyfriend and that the couple lived together with the child.
Detectives documented that the child suffered significant bruising to her head, face, torso, back, and buttocks; they also documented considerable swelling to the child's eye area.
Armes later admitted to being responsible for the child's injuries. It was also determined that Maattala failed to report the injuries or seek medical treatment for the child.
The Vernon Parish Department of Child and Family Services was notified by the sheriff's office; that agency is currently in the process of conducting an investigation into the incident, according to the sheriff's office.
Armes' bond was set at $50,000 and Maattala's bond was set at $25,000. Both remain in the Vernon Parish Jail.
Two Leesville men have been arrested for burning a vehicle and later attempting to claim reimbursements for it.
Trent Johnson, 32, was charged with one count of arson with intent to defraud and one count of filing or maintaining false public records. Hugh Reibsome, 42, was charged with one count of simple arson.
According to the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office, deputies were notified of a vehicle on fire in the area of Billy James Road. Deputies, along with the Sandy Hill Fire Department, arrived at the scene and observed what appeared to be a crew-cab pickup truck on fire. The truck appeared to be a total loss, the sheriff's office said. Deputies were able to identify Johnson as the vehicle's owner from its license plates.
While on scene, deputies learned that witnesses saw two people fleeing from the scene and into a nearby residence. Deputies then traveled to 183 Billy James Rd. and spoke to Reibsome and other individuals.
Reibsome later admitted to removing numerous tools from the vehicle before setting the fire. He also indicated to detectives that his landlord, Johnson, made arrangements with him to burn the vehicle in exchange for past due rent plus additional money.
Upon initial contact, Johnson denied having any knowledge of such an arrangement. Deputies later learned that Johnson filed a claim with the Canal Insurance Company requesting reimbursement for the vehicle and tools contained within the vehicle, the amount sought exceeded $39,000.
Detectives met with Johnson again, who admitted to telling Reibsome that he would like for him to set fire to the truck but denied making arrangements to actually pay Reibsome to burn the vehcile.
Johnson also admitted that he himself had attempted to burn the vehcle unsuccessfully on one occassion a few days prior to the incident.
Reibsome's bond was set at $7,500 and Johnson's bond was set at $6,000; both individuals posted bond.
Two arrested after child abuse incident
A man and woman from Leesville were arrested on Jan. 10 after a 3-year-old female was brought to the sheriff's office with "numerous and disturbing injuries."
Bo Armes, 30, was charged with two counts of second degree cruelty to a juvenile and Monique Maattala, 23, was charged with one count of second degree cruelty to a juvenile.
According to the sheriff's office, a concerned citizen brought the 3-year-old female victim to the sheriff's office Tuesday, where deputies oberved "numerous and disturbing injuries" to the child.
The female is the daughter of Maattala; deputies later learned that Armes is Maatala's boyfriend and that the couple lived together with the child.
Detectives documented that the child suffered significant bruising to her head, face, torso, back, and buttocks; they also documented considerable swelling to the child's eye area.
Armes later admitted to being responsible for the child's injuries. It was also determined that Maattala failed to report the injuries or seek medical treatment for the child.
The Vernon Parish Department of Child and Family Services was notified by the sheriff's office; that agency is currently in the process of conducting an investigation into the incident, according to the sheriff's office.
Armes' bond was set at $50,000 and Maattala's bond was set at $25,000. Both remain in the Vernon Parish Jail.
