by Sheriff Colton Havard
Possession of Identifying Information Arrest:
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at approximately 6:56 a.m., Deputy B. Sonnier conducted a traffic stop on a U-Haul van in the 43000 block of State Highway 87 South for a traffic violation. Deputy Sonnier made contact with the driver, identified as Charles Kristopher Smith, who did not possess a valid driver’s license and was subsequently placed under arrest for No Driver’s License. During a vehicle inventory, Deputy Sonnier located several pieces of fraudulent banking and identifying information belonging to an individual from Orange County. When questioned about the documents, Smith stated that he had found them inside a backpack along a roadway in Jefferson County, Texas. Newton County deputies coordinated with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to locate the rightful owner of the documents. Smith was transported to the Newton County Jail, where he was charged with No Driver’s License and Fraudulent Use/Possession of Identifying Information # Items 5<10 (F3).
Louisiana man arrested for Illegal Dumping on RR 255:
Over the past few months, Newton County Deputies have been contacted by a complainant on RR 255 regarding illegal dumping. The complainant reported that a suspect had been repeatedly dumping trash in a specific area off RR 255 in the Toledo Village community. During the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Deputy Dew and Deputy White conducted surveillance from a wooded area along RR 255. While conducting surveillance, they observed a white truck traveling eastbound on RR 255 with an equipment violation. The truck then slowed down and dumped trash on the side of RR 255. Deputies responded by initiating a traffic stop on the vehicle, and making contact with the driver, Gregory Keith Durbin. Durbin admitted to throwing the trash out along the roadway and was subsequently placed under arrest. He was transported to the Newton County Jail without incident and charged with Illegal Dumping and Defective Equipment.
Parole Violator arrested in Burkeville:
On Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 3:09 p.m., Deputy Lewis ‘Sonny’ White was dispatched to the 13000 block of State Highway 87 in reference to a welfare check on a white female. Upon arrival, Deputy White made contact with the white female, identified as Dana Lynn Lavergne. A warrant inquiry on Lavergne showed she had an active arrest warrant out of Texas Pardon and Parole for parole violation (burglary of habitation). Lavergne was placed under arrest and transported to the Newton County Jail without incident.
Louisiana Fugitive Arrest in Deweyville:
On Monday, October 13, 2025, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office regarding a wanted fugitive, Justin Lee Masten, who was staying in Deweyville off County Road 4188. Masten was wanted out of Beauregard Parish for aggravated battery and domestic battery—strangulation. Deputy K. Dixon, along with deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, went to the residence to conduct a warrant service. Upon arrival, Masten was taken into custody and transported to the Newton County Jail without incident.
Calls for Service:
We answered 65 calls for service last week and booked 6 individuals into the Newton County Jail. We currently have 26 inmates housed in the following facilities: 6 in Beauregard Parish, 11 in Jasper, and 9 in Newton.
Thought for the week:
We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.
ARRESTEE ROSTER
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