Bombs Rock the Beauregard, Vernon Communities

By J. Shirlene Cooper
The Times of SWLA



Two churches in Beauregard Parish and one in Vernon Parish were the targets of vandalism, burglary and bombs just prior to the Fourth of July weekend.

Four men, between the ages of 17 and 21 years old have been arrested in connection with the incidents, as well as the burglary of a fireworks stand and a Frito Lay delivery truck, which was parked at a distribution plant on the LA 3226 bypass, between DeRidder and Rosepine.

Sidney Flether, 21, and Timothy Free, 18, both of DeRidder; and Nathan Lee and Anthony Martin, both 17 years of age, and both of Rosepine were arrested Thursday morning, July 2, bringing several hours of criminal activities to an end.

According to Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office (BPSO) Chief Deputy Joe Toler, officials believe the events began Wednesday evening with the vandalism of Cypress Creek Baptist Church, located on the bypass. Several of the building’s windows were broken.

Allegedly, the next stops for the four men were the distribution center, where the delivery truck was burglarized, and then the fireworks stand, which they reportedly looted.

It was the explosives taken from the fireworks stand, which were used to fashion the bombs- one of which exploded at Grace Church, in DeRidder.

The bomb at Grace Church detonated at night when no one was there. After church staff arrived at work on Thursday they suspected that the church had been vandalized or burglarized, and also discovered the broken window, which led them to notify the police.

Grace Champion Center bomb location-
A taped-over window at Champion Center at Grace Church is evidence of where a small hand-made bomb exploded on July 2, in DeRidder. The bomb allegedly was thrown or placed (see highlighted area in circle) just a few feet away from the church’s playground.

A Frito Lay travel mug, taken from the delivery truck, made up the casing of the bomb left near a window of the Champion’s Center at Grace Church. The bomb detonated, just a few feet away from the center’s playground area.

An exterior pane of a double-paned window was shattered by the blast, while the secondary inner pane was left intact.

George Lee Glass, pastor of Grace Church, said he arrived at the church on Thursday morning just shortly after the damage was discovered by other church personnel. He said that at first he suspected vandalism or a burglary.

At Three Pine Apostolic Church, located off of LA highway 112, east of DeRidder, a church worker spotted some men taking things from the building.

This person notified the authorities with a description of the vehicle as well as the license plate number, and DeRidder police were able to apprehend two men in the vehicle a short time later, while sheriff’s department personnel caught up with the two others who were still in the area of the church.

Pastor Dan Booth of Three Pine Apostolic Church said he believes the bomb at Grace Church may have been set as a diversion to keep law enforcement on that side of town, while his church was being burglarized.

Three Pine bomb location-
Inside the Three Pine Apostolic Church, southeast of DeRidder another, potentially more dangerous bomb was found in a chair, in the baptistery area (See highlighted area).

It was later determined that music and audio equipment were taken at the Three Pine Church, but during the initial investigation of the burglary at that place of worship, Rev. Booth said he had been assisting deputies in trying to determine what items were missing.

As they were clearing the area near the baptistery they happened upon what was first perceived to be an elongated flashlight.

Toler described the flashlight as a three D-cell battery flashlight with metal casing, much like the ones used by law enforcement.

Booth said that it first appeared that the flashlight, which was found lying on a chair seat, had been accidentally left behind by whoever had burglarized the church. However, upon closer scrutiny, it was discovered that the flashlight was resting on and attached to a long fuse.

At this point the area was immediately cleared and a Hazmat Team member from Beauregard Parish was notified. This bomb technician, skilled in EOD (explosive ordinance disposal) arrived on the scene with a robot recovery vehicle, which removed the bomb and detonated it in the church parking lot.

Toler said that had the bomb exploded inside the church it had the potential to do much damage, and because it had been placed in an area which adjoined the living quarters of church leaders, “it could possibly have killed someone.”

Toler explained that once the exploded bomb was found at Grace Church, “it spurred a parish-wide search of all churches,”—no small task in a city once included in the Guinness Book of World Records as having the most churches per capita.

Additionally, the BAMA (Beauregard Area Ministerial Alliance) was contacted and church leaders notified to check churches and church grounds for suspicious looking items or items that may have been out of place.

Local news media also were contacted and asked to issue an immediate caution via television and the internet.

To date, no other explosive devices have been reported or discovered, and the investigation is ongoing.

Toler said that from the beginning, the investigation was a combined effort of the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office, the DeRidder Police Department and the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Department.

Because the crime is a federal offence, the F.B.I. was notified also, but they are no longer involved in the investigation.

Toler attributed the quick notification, response and arrests to the teamwork of those involved. “Everybody was in the right place at the right time,” he said.

The pastors of both Beauregard Parish churches expressed concern for the young men involved and their families.

“I am mainly concerned with those that made the mistakes,” said Rev. Glass. On behalf of Grace Church, he added, “We are a great community with connections to these families. Our prayers are for them.”

Having first believed the incident to be a simple burglary, Rev. Booth said he was not surprised at what happened, considering current times. He, too, said, “We are praying for these gentlemen that they learn from their mistakes.”

Individually, Fletcher, Free, Lee and Martin have been charged with one count aggravated burglary, one count of theft, two counts of manufacturing and possession of a bomb, and two counts of simple arson of a religious building.

They also face additional charges, in Vernon Parish, of theft, simple burglary, and criminal damage to property, vandalism and discharging an incendiary device.

Defense council has been assigned in the case. Attorney Tony Bennett will represent Fletcher, Attorney Sam Jones will represent Free, Attorney David Wallace will represent Lee and Attorney Mitch Evans will represent Martin.

As of press time, all four men remain in the Beauregard Parish Jail, with bonds set at $90,000 each.

Beauregard Watermelon Festival

By J. Shirlene Cooper



Families and visitors in DeRidder got a chance to take a trip back in time to the good ol’ days with this year’s Beauregard Watermelon Festival, held at the parish fairgrounds the weekend of June 26 through 28. The spotlight was on locally grown Sugartown watermelons and the juicy fruit provided a delicious theme for a plethora of displays, concessions, and games for festival goers braving the summer heat.

Temperatures rose to over 100 degrees, but did not deter avid watermelon fans from turning out in numbers. Besides, it was all about the watermelons. What better way to quench the thirst than an oversized slice of the chilled fruit? And toward this sweet solution, the featured fruit of the day was in no short supply. Concession stands all along the midway offered a variety of “watermelony” concoctions including slice, chunks on a stick, and fruit smoothies.

This was the fourth year for the Beauregard Tourist Commission to host the Watermelon Festival, and Lori Veazy, who serves as executive director of the commission said that the event has grown with each year.

On hand this year, Christway Church members pitched a tent and coordinated games for children of all ages. The line at the face-painting table was long, as the young and the young-at-heart took a turn getting watermelon slices painted on chins, cheeks, foreheads, biceps, and knees. Peel and stick temporary tattoos were offered to little ones who might not otherwise have been able to sit still long enough for the intricate detailing involved in the hand-painted watermelon artworks.

In the same booth, contests were scheduled throughout each festival day. Children vied for a variety of candy prizes, balloons, favors, and coupons awarded for the farthest spit watermelon seed—or the quickest consumption of a watermelon slice.

Each contestant in the spitting contest was given three chances to project a small black seed as far out as possible and the results were carefully measured. Much laughter and fun ensued as spitters either outdid their own expectations or gave their best shot only to have the slimy seed end up on their own chin.

Children sank their teeth into cold slices for the watermelon eating contest. As soon as coordinators called out “Ready, set, go,” the race was on. What generally ensued was drippy, slippery, wet chaos, with the endgame evident on chubby cheeks, in hair, on sandaled toes, and more often than not, completely covering the fronts of individual manic munchers.

Farther along the festival trail, other booths offered visitors information, such as the EDITH (Exit Drills In The Home) trailer, where DeRidder firefighters provided tours and safety tips.
Making a come-back appearance was Paul “Max” Trost with his helicopter rides.

The short ride departed from a clearing on the fairgrounds and quickly rose above the tree line, causing a sudden burst of adrenaline and the widening of eyes. Cameras clicked, clicked, clicked as passengers spied their neighborhoods, work places, schools, churches, and shopping centers. Then all too soon, the aircraft returned, making a softer-than-expected landing.

A pilot and former crop duster, Trost has 30 years and over 11, 000 hours of time in the air. As owner of Max Air Helicopters, a Sulphur based company, he said he thoroughly enjoys his job and especially likes watching the reactions of first time passengers. “I’m able to show them a whole new world,” he said, adding that for most the experience is very positive. He said he takes his job very seriously, noting that he is aware that parents put a lot of trust in him and his aviation abilities.

Displays and demonstrations also dotted the midway, including a first for the festival—the Lumberjack show. Cousins, Tyler Fischer and Jamie Fisher thrilled audiences by attempting to throw each other off a log while rolling it across a small body of water. There also was a log sawing competition, and farther down the way, riders could compete for the title of “longest in the saddle” on a mechanical bull.

Under the shade of the outdoor pavilion, a steady stream of local talent took to the stage.
More musical amusements took place on the stage inside the exhibition hall, where an abundance of vendors offered handcrafted jewelry, clothing, and artwork.

Deeming the festival a huge success, despite the heat, Veasey said she and other event coordinators were “very pleased with the turnout.” She said the record breaking temperatures were matched by record breaking crowds, many of whom chose to avoid the heat by making their way to the fairgrounds after sundown.

Visitors to the 2009 Beauregard Watermelon Festival traveled from Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi, and served to fuel the fire of Veasey’s wish to see a bigger and better festival with each passing year. “We can’t wait to show what we can do next year,” she concluded.