August was another busy month for our assistant district attorneys, judges, staff, and jurors in Caddo Parish. Here are a few cases of high interest:

• Shreveporter Kiandrew McFan was sentenced to 12.5 years at hard labor August 27 by District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr., following McFan pleading guilty July 22 after prosecutors announced they were ready for trial. McFan, 25, faced charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and aggravated flight from an officer. For the firearms charge Judge Hathaway ordered McFan to serve 7.5 years at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. For the flight charge McFan was ordered to serve five years at hard labor. The sentences are to run consecutively.

On October 13, 2024, an officer with the Shreveport Police Department attempted to make a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Camaro illegally burning out its tires in a nearby parking lot. The vehicle, driven by McFan, pulled out onto Jewella Avenue and continued to be operated in a reckless manner around other motorists. As the officer activated his lights and sirens, the Camaro fled, exceeding 100 mph, driving into oncoming traffic, running multiple red lights and swerving in between other vehicles before it crashed into a fence. McFan then fled on foot.

When searching the car, the officer found a Glock handgun between the driver’s seat and center console. McFan’s driver’s license and vehicle registration were found in the car, linking him to the flight. A past conviction for simple burglary prevented him from possessing a firearm. An arrest warrant was obtained and ultimately, he was arrested in DeSoto Parish.

In his reasoning for sentencing, Judge Hathaway referenced a previous federal conviction for illegal possession of an explosive device, as well as the danger presented by the flight to other motorists.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Chase E. Burgess. McFan was defended by Edward Mouton.

The case was docket No. 407482.

• A Shreveport man whose criminal past prevents him from legally possessing a firearm was convicted of such possession August 21, 2026.

Johnny Kelly, 29, convicted of the felony illegal use of weapons in 2021, was judged guilty by the nine-woman, three-man jury in District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr.’s court after deliberations that lasted only 30 minutes. When Kelly returns to court October 7, 2026, he faces a sentence of at least five and up to 20 years in prison at hard labor.

On November 20, 2024, a Shreveport police officer patrolling near the Sunset Acres Park after it closed at 10 p.m. saw two vehicles in the parking lot. As he approached the vehicles, a male passenger in one of the vehicles stepped out of the vehicle and it could be observed there was a gun on the floor by his feet. Questioned about it, the man, Kelly, admitted it belonged to another person but that he was in possession of it.

Kelly was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Chase Burgess and Stephen Folk-Cruthirds. He was defended by Keith Whiddon and Sean Fore.

The case was docket No. 405287.

• A Shreveport man who shot a man he’d known most of his life in late 2023 was found guilty of second-degree murder at trial August 20, 2026.

Dewayne Wilkinson, 23, was found guilty of the October 2, 2023 slaying of Laroyce Daniel Brown in District Judge John D. Mosely Jr.’s court. The eight-woman, four-man jury deliberated 30 minutes before returning its unanimous guilty-as-charged verdict.

Jurors weighed evidence and heard testimony that on the night of October 3, 2023, victim Laroyce Daniel Brown and Wilkinson’s two sisters arrived at Wilkinson’s mother’s home on Anna Street in Shreveport. Mr. Brown, described as Wilkinson’s “god-cousin,” greeted the mother and defendant Wilkinson and briefly spoke to the latter. Mr. Brown then excused himself to go outside to get his keys out of his car. When he returned to the house, Wilkinson had armed himself with a Blackout-style rifle, with which he shot Mr. Brown more than 20 times, and then fled. Wilkinson’s mother and sisters called 911, identifying the shooter and the victim. Mr. Brown was deceased at the scene.

When the mother and sisters returned to the Anna Street residence after giving police statements, they discovered that Wilkinson had returned to the house with the murder rifle. The mother called police, who returned to the scene and arrested Wilkinson and secured the rifle and other evidence, including bloodstained clothing that at trial was linked by DNA to the victim. A firearms expert confirmed that all 21 shell casings found on scene and multiple bullets scattered throughout the home, as well as bullets recovered from the victim during autopsy, were fired from the rifle.

When Wilkinson returns to court September 21, 2026, he faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

Assistant District Attorneys Kodie K. Smith and William Edwards prosecuted Wilkinson. He was defended by Casey Simpson and Caleb Traylor.

The case was docket No. 397956.

• A Shreveport man faces a life term in prison after a Caddo Parish jury convicted him of a first-degree rape two years ago.

The nine-woman, three-man jury in District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr.’s court deliberated less than two hours before returning its unanimous verdict against John Lee Taylor, 42, on August 19, 2026. He will return for sentencing September 9, 2026. The mandatory life term must be served without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence and requires lifetime registration as a sex offender.

After hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, jurors determined that on May 8, 2024, the female victim, under 10 years old, woke up to find Taylor, a distant relative, lying on top of her committing a sex act. The girl called out to her sister, who was sleeping in an adjacent bed. The sister saw Taylor trying to pull his pants up before fleeing the room. The sister then called her mother, as she was staying at her grandmother’s house, who told her to call 911, which she did. Police responded and the victim and her sister were taken to the Gingerbread House Children’s Advocacy Center where both were interviewed within hours. The victim was then taken to a local hospital where a rape kit was collected. DNA testing confirmed that the defendant’s DNA was found in the victim.

Jurors heard from the investigating officers, the forensic interviewer, the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and a DNA expert. The victim’s siblings testified how Taylor terrorized them as children, leaving them scared to walk alone through the house for fear that he would do something to them. They testified he had a history of exposing himself to the children and watching them shower. The children reported that the adults in the home knew of this behavior and did nothing. Taylor’s mother testified she did not believe any of the children were telling the truth and that though she was asleep during the crime, she was positive he would not have done it. She also testified that she made sure not to leave the children alone with the defendant.

Taylor was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Courtney N. Ray and Chase E. Burgess. He was defended by Harry Johnson and Silver Sanders.

The case was docket No. 401836.

• A Shreveport man found guilty of murder July 22 was sentenced to life in prison August 12, 2026.

District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr. meted out the mandatory sentence to Deonza McClinton, 32, for the June 4, 2024 slaying of Billy Ray Doyle, 41, at a Linwood Avenue convenience store.

McClinton and a codefendant ambushed Mr. Doyle at the In & Out convenience store in the 4300 block of Linwood. McClinton was armed with a 300 Blackout assault-style rifle, which evidence revealed was fired 22 times. Mr. Doyle suffered wounds to every internal organ in his body except his spleen, bladder and left kidney. Footage from area business security cameras, the Real Time Crime Center and License Plate Readers showed the shooters’ vehicle in the vicinity, as well as the driver, the co-defendant. At the trial, the defense argued that the shooting was in self-defense, but that was rejected by the jury.

McClinton was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Christopher S. Bowman and Chase Burgess. He was defended by Carlos Prudhomme.

McClinton’s co-defendant will face trial later this month.

The case was docket No. 402378.

• A Shreveport felon convicted earlier this year of brandishing a firearm while on a video call to his incarcerated brother was sentenced to serve 25 years in prison August 12, 2026.

District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr. sentenced Tommy Pernell Thompson, 24, who was convicted June 24, 2026 of two counts of attempted possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon and one count of possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon.

Thompson was sentenced to five years in prison for each conviction for attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to 15 years for the possession of a firearm by a felon conviction. The sentences are to be served without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence and are consecutive.

On March 27, 2025, investigators with the Violent Crime Abatement Team of the Shreveport Police Department watched video jail calls made by Thompson to his sibling who was a prisoner at Caddo Correctional Center. Thompson brandished a pistol on two separate video calls. In calls made June 18-19, 2025, detectives observed Thompson brandishing an AR-style pistol with a drum magazine.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for Thompson’s residence, where officers found a Draco-styled rifle with a drum magazine and 100 rounds of ammunition, along with his cellphone, insurance card and driver’s license. A search of the cell phone turned up photographs that showed him with the rifle in several pictures. Metadata showed that he possessed the rifle after his 2023 conviction for aggravated assault upon a dating partner, a conviction that bars him from possessing firearms.

Assistant District Attorneys Chase Burgess and Jason Waltman prosecuted Thompson, who was represented by the Indigent Defenders office.

The case was docket No. 410336.

• A Keithville man who showed pornography to and fondled a tender-aged female must serve 80 years in prison and register as a sex offender for life, a Caddo judge has ordered.

Jimmy Wendt, 68, convicted July 10, was sentenced August 12, 2026 by District Judge Chris Victory. Judge Victory ordered Wendt to serve 65 years at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence, for sexual battery of a victim under age 13. Wendt also must serve 15 years, also at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence, for indecent behavior with a juvenile under age 13. The terms are to be served consecutively.

The victim was between ages five and seven during the time of the offense, though she did not disclose the abuse until last year. She went to a child advocacy center, where she gave a statement about what happened to her. It was determined the criminal acts occurred in Caddo Parish off Barron Road.

Assistant District Attorneys Courtney N. Ray and Victoria Washington prosecuted Wendt, who was defended by Michael Enright and Carter Lawrence.

The case was docket No. 413022.

• A Shreveport man pleaded guilty August 10, 2026, to attempted second-degree murder in connection with an attack on a female acquaintance in September 2024.

Joshua Anzalone, 43, made his plea before District Judge Donald Hathaway Jr., who sentenced him to 20 years in prison at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

On September 22, 2024, Shreveport police were called to a motel where they found a female victim on the floor of a room, unresponsive but alive, with blood around a wound on her neck. It was found that a knife, later found in a nearby room, was used to cut the woman’s neck. Anzalone later was found in a different motel room and detained.

Assistant District Attorneys Michael Anderson and Stephen Folk-Cruthirds prosecuted Anzalone, who was defended by Harry Johnson.

The case was docket No. 404234.

• A woman who broke into the home of another woman three years ago and fired a weapon at her was found guilty of home invasion August 5, 2026.

It took the nine women and three men in the jury in District Judge Ramona Emanuel’s court just under an hour to return their verdict against Jessica Henry, 30. In November 2023, she and her sister broke into the home of the victim while armed with a handgun, fought her and fired a shot that missed the victim but damaged the residence.

Testimony was given by the victim, her sibling who witnessed the attack, two Shreveport Police officers and a former Shreveport Police detective.

When Henry returns to Judge Emanuel’s courtroom for sentencing October 20, 2026, she faces imprisonment at hard labor for at least one year and up to 30 years.

Henry was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Fernando Grider Jr. and Senáe D. Hall. She was defended by Dave Knadler and Royal Alexander.

The case was docket No. 405703.

• A continued custody hearing was held August 5, 2026, at Caddo Parish Juvenile Court regarding the August 2, 2026 death of 14-year-old Mikayla Pennywell at her home on Legardy Street in Shreveport.

A 13-year-old male who lived in the home is accused of causing her death by means of a gunshot to her head, in another unfortunate case of teen gunplay. After considering testimony, Caddo Juvenile Court Judge Ree Casey-Jones found probable cause for second-degree murder and remanded the youth to be held at the Caddo Parish Juvenile Detention Center pending further hearings.

Louisiana law prevents him from transferring the teen to be prosecuted as an adult as the minimum age to be considered for such transfer is 14.

• A man who robbed a woman of her vehicle at gunpoint outside a Shreveport business in late 2024 pleaded guilty of that crime in Caddo District Court August 3, 2026.

Teondre Wright, 26, of Natchitoches, pleaded guilty to carjacking a Marshall, Texas woman the afternoon of October 31, 2024. District Judge Chris Victory sentenced Wright to serve 10 years in prison without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence.

The victim told responding officers Wright approached her outside the Southern Oaks Nursing Rehabilitation Center. He displayed a handgun and demanded her keys, pushed her to the ground and took her vehicle. Using her vehicle’s roadside assistance, officers were able to track the vehicle to an address in Natchitoches, where local police found the stolen car and apprehended Wright. A Glock handgun also was seized.

Assistant District Attorneys Jasmine Cooper and Victoria Washington prosecuted Wright, who was defended by Michael Enright.

The case was docket No. 405026.

• A Shreveport man facing trial for his part in the death of a man outside a Goodwill three years ago, then leading police on a chase into Bossier Parish, pleaded guilty in Caddo District Court August 3, 2026.

With the approval of the victim’s family, Demarquise Tramiel, 20, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, aggravated flight from an officer and aggravated criminal property damage before District Judge Ramona Emanuel. He was sentenced to the maximum term of 40 years for manslaughter, five years for aggravated flight and five years for property damage, all to be served at hard labor and consecutively.

Early February 7, 2023, Tramiel, then age 17, was the driver of a yellow Camaro at Union Avenue and 69th Street in Cedar Grove, across from the Goodwill outlet, when 19-year-old DeAnthony Johnson rode his bicycle along Union Avenue. Gunshots were fired from the Camaro, fatally wounding Mr. Johnson. Over 28 shell casings were found, 11 from the weapon Tramiel possessed. The vehicle sped off, leading police on a high-speed chase across the Red River into Bossier Parish, where the Camaro crashed out and Tramiel and his passenger, Mark White, were arrested. White was convicted of second-degree murder for his role in the slaying May 15. He was sentenced to life in prison, but with the possibility of parole as he also was 17 at the time of the crime.

Assistant District Attorney Senae Hall prosecuted Tramiel, who was defended by Greg Johnson.

The case was docket No. 393932.

• A Shreveport man arrested on weapons charges in late 2024 pleaded guilty August 4, 2026.

Jzarmacio Whitehead, 34, pleaded guilty as charged to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and illegal possession of a firearm before District Judge Chris Victory a day before he was scheduled to go on trial. He was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison — five years for the possession of a weapon by a felon charge and two years for the illegal possession conviction, to be served consecutively.

On November 30, 2024, Shreveport Police initiated a traffic stop during which Whitehead, a backseat passenger, had an open container. When asked to exit the vehicle, he tried to flee but was Tasered after a brief struggle. A gun, later found to have been stolen, fell off of Whitehead, who then was arrested.

Whitehead was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Rachel Hughes and Victoria Washington. He was defended by Michael Enright.

The case was docket No. 405394.

• A local dentist about to stand trial August 3, 2026, instead pleaded guilty as charged to numerous felony domestic violence crimes.

The District Attorney’s office announced ready for trial and was prepared to start selecting jurors in District Judge Chris Victory’s court when John Allen Russ, 39, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty as charged to four felony domestic abuse charges.

Russ pleaded guilty to one count of domestic abuse battery with serious bodily injury, punishable by up to eight years in prison; one count of domestic abuse battery by strangulation, punishable by up to three years in prison; and two counts of domestic abuse battery with child endangerment, each punishable by up to three years in prison.

So often, victims of domestic violence are not able to come forward. We recognize how difficult that decision can be, and we are grateful to this victim for her strength throughout this prosecution. Our Special Victims Unit was created for cases just like this. We’re here to walk alongside victims, help them handle a difficult process, and pursue justice with compassion, professionalism, and determination.

Following the guilty pleas, Judge Victory ordered a pre-sentence investigation and remanded Russ into custody pending sentencing. A sentencing hearing has been set for October 5, 2026.

The charges stemmed from a violent domestic attack that occurred early May 4, 2024, at a Shreveport residence Russ and his victim shared. Russ became enraged and attacked the woman. He pulled her by her feet from the bed, pinned her to the floor and then forced her against a bedroom door while strangling her. Russ held her by the neck with such force she was lifted completely off the ground, unable to breathe. She believed she was going to die. Somehow, she broke free, but Russ grabbed her by the head and slammed her into a dresser, injuring her forehead. She lost consciousness and awakened on the floor bleeding.

Two children, both under age 13, were inside the residence at the time, leading to the domestic abuse battery with child endangerment charges.

Police investigating the incident learned that Russ had committed other acts of violence against the victim that she had been too afraid to report.

The sentencing hearing October 5 will help the court determine the appropriate sentences, which if maximums are imposed and terms run consecutively could be as many as 17 years.

Prosecution was handled by our Special Victims Unit, with Assistant District Attorneys Britney A. Green and Ron Christopher Stamps representing the state. Russ was defended by J. Dhu Thompson.

The case was docket No. 404557.

• The Caddo Parish Grand Jury returned three indictments in its session that ended August 19, 2026. Two of the bills, one naming a teenager, were for second degree homicides, while the third was for a sexual assault.

In the first murder indictment, Noah Allen Wilson, 15 is charged in connection with the April 26, 2026 slaying of Taylor Geter, 23. Mr. Geter was shot and killed at a Shreveport park. The shooting stemmed from a fight between two adults in the 200 block of East Dudley Drive near Waterside Park. That indictment is docket No. 417125.

In the second indictment, Shirdamion Edwards, 28, of Shreveport, is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the May 20, 2026 slaying of Jeremy Singer, 38. Mr. Singer was shot at a home the 3600 block of Greenbriar Drive. Singer was shot in the chest. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died. Two children were present when the shots were fired, though neither was injured. That indictment is docket No. 417422.

In the third true bill, Damien Demon Mills, 36, of Shreveport, stands charged with first-degree rape. Details of the crime are not available, as the indictment was filed under seal due to the nature of the offense. He was booked into Caddo Correctional Center April 29, 2026, with his bond set at $2 million.

Have a great and safe holiday weekend.

James E. Stewart, Sr.
Caddo Parish District Attorney

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