Bomb Threat on Evangeline Parish Courthouse

Sheriff Eddie Soileau, of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office has released the following:

On April 4, 2019 Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Dispatchers received multiple calls from unknown callers stating that there was a bomb located in the courthouse. The threat came on a day that criminal court was being held, which caused the entire courthouse to be evcuated immediately.

Upon resuming normal courthouse routine, Detective Tommy Gallow with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office immediately began investigating the incident. He was able to receive assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigations to trace the call.

He received an anonymous tip which led to the ultimate arrest of Christopher James Strotter Johnson and Justin Derek Clark. Christopher Johnson was arrested, charged, and bonded out on Criminal Mischief. His bond was set at $50,000.00 by 13th Judicial Judge West. Justin Clark was already incarcerated in another facility and is being charged with Terrorizing. His bond was set at $50,000.00 by 13th Judicial Judge Ortego.

Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Evangeline Parish District Attorney’s Office, Ville Platte Fire Department, Ville Platte Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations for their assistance. We would like to also thank the public for their assistance with anonymous tips.

Christopher James Strotter Johnson and Justin Derek Clark