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

Recap:

Sunday, May 31, 2020 at the address of 3388 Chataignier Road (Blue Junction Convenience Store) two business owners of Ville Platte (Terald Jude Vidrine and Ryan Vidrine) fail to await the arrival of Law Enforcement Deputies after contacting 911 and assaulted Michael N. Arvie who at the time they believed was involved in the theft of their business (Flat Town Farm Supply)  Side by Side (All-Terrain Vehicle). Arvie was in possession of the Side by Side while making purchases at the Blue Junction store.

During the department's initial course of investigation, owners of Blue Junction (Russell Shane Gautreaux and Monique Gautreaux) led the investigating Shift Sergeant to believe that there was video surveillance in place that most likely captured the assault upon Arvie. After further conversing with the owners, it was agreed upon that Detectives would follow up the next day to review the incident on their surveillance system. At the time the Shift Sergeant was advised the camera footage is usually held between 4-7 days.   

Detectives visited the store the following day, however, the owners were not as cooperative as the day before. Owner Monique Gautreaux did not allow Detectives the opportunity to review the video surveillance footage and eventually stated that the store had no surveillance footage. After several more interviews with both owners their statements began to become suspicious which led Detectives to believe the owners were interfering with their investigation. Both owners' statements were conflicting from their initial statement given on the day of the incident.

On Monday June 1, 2020, a Search Warrant was ordered by 13th District Judicial Judge Chuck West, only to find that the surveillance equipment was missing or had possibly been removed from its location. To this day no footage has been released or reviewed by the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office Investigations Division.

An Affidavit and Warrant of Arrest was submitted to 13th District Judicial Judge Chuck West and approved on Russell Shane Gautreaux (Blue Junction owner) for Obstruction of Justice. Gautreaux's bond was set at $20,000.00. Gautreaux surrendered peacefully to proper authorities on Monday, June 8, 2020, he was booked on the said charge and later posted bail. No charges were filed on Monique Gautreaux.

As always Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office seeks information on any criminal activity and urges the Public to contact our Investigations Division via phone at 337-363-2161 or online at www.evangelineparishsheriff.org. Any person reporting criminal activity will remain anonymous.

SURRENDERED

Russell Shane Gautreaux

DOB 02/28/1966

Obstruction of Justice

Bond $20,000.00

Posted Bail