EARNEST LADDAY (photo courtesy of St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office)
A sting operation results in the arrests of 10 people, including a St. Mary Parish corrections deputy. Sheriff Gary Driskell says investigators launched “Operation Bear Trap” after getting information that 49-year-old Earnest Ladday was bringing contraband into the jail and giving it to certain inmates.
Earnest Ladday, 49, Bayou Vista, LA, was arrested on June 15, 2026, at 12:40 pm for entering contraband (13 counts) and malfeasance (9 counts). Bail has not been set at this time.
Amber Stratton, 32, Bayou Vista, LA, was arrested on June 15, 2026, at 12:40 pm on a warrant for introduction of contraband. Bail has not been set at this time.
Kenneth Rollins, 31, Patterson, LA, was arrested on June 15, 2026, at 12:40 pm on a warrant for introduction of contraband. Bail has not been set at this time.
Christian Druilhet, 27, New Iberia, LA, was arrested on June 15, 2026, at 12:40 pm for possession of schedule III (Subutex) and entering contraband into a penal institution. Druilhet continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
Elliot Broussard III, 62, Morgan City, LA, was arrested on June 15, 2026, at 12:40 pm for possession of schedule I (synthetic marijuana) and on a warrant for entering contraband into a penal institution. Broussard continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
Brennan Tatum, 29, Pierre Part, LA, was arrested on June 15, 2026, at 12:40 pm on a warrant for introduction of contraband. Tatum continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
Courtlin Carter, 37, Stevensville, LA, was arrested on June 15, 2026, at 12:40 pm on a warrant for entering contraband into a penal institution. Carter continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
Christopher Woods, 34, Morgan City, LA, was arrested on June 15, 2026, at 12:40 pm on a warrant for entering contraband into a penal institution. Woods continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
Rodrick Hunter, 34, Bayou Vista, LA, was arrested on June 15, 2026, at 12:40 pm on a warrant for entering contraband into a penal institution (4 counts). Hunter continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
Jamari Tillman, 22, Morgan City, LA, was arrested on June 15, 2026, at 12:40 pm on a warrant for entering contraband into a penal institution, possession of schedule I (synthetic marijuana) with intent to distribute, entering contraband into a penal institution, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Tillman continues to be incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
“We started listening to phone calls and surveillance and were able to obtain enough information and probable cause to make the arrests on several people,” Driskell said.
Ladday is charged with 13 counts of entering contraband and nine counts of malfeasance. The others arrested include two people who allegedly helped Ladday bring the contraband into the jail facility and seven inmates who received the contraband. Sheriff Driskell says all jail employees are fully trained in an effort to prevent situations like these.
“We give orientations alerting and give them a heads-up that people will ask you to do things illegal, and not to give in to it or you will be arrested,” Driskell warned.
Driskell says all department employees are held to the same standards as everyone else.
“We’re not above the law, even if we’re wearing badges and uniforms. In fact, we should have more integrity than most,” Driskell noted.
No bail has been set for Ladday or his alleged co-conspirators at this time.
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