Three fatalities in 15 months, two tied to suspected contraband, prompt policy changes

PORT ALLEN — The West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office has announced security reforms after three inmate deaths in 15 months, with two occurring in just six months, raised serious questions about contraband entering the detention center.

The latest death led to a Second Degree Murder charge against Nicholas Henderson, 26, on Friday after investigators determined he provided synthetic cannabinoids that killed fellow inmate Jeremy Paul on August 13.

August 2025: Jeremy Paul Death Leads to Murder Charge

Jeremy Paul, 30, of Baton Rouge, was found unresponsive in a dormitory around 8:15 p.m. on August 13, along with two other inmates who experienced medical emergencies but recovered. Paul had been held at the facility since September 2024 on behalf of the Louisiana Department of Corrections.

Investigators determined that Henderson possessed and provided a synthetic cannabinoid commonly known as "Mojo" to Paul prior to his death. Henderson was charged with Second Degree Murder on Friday, August 15.

March 2025: Ryan Moreau Death Sparks Major Investigation

Ryan Moreau, 38, of Baton Rouge, suffered a medical emergency just after midnight on March 5 and died several days later at a local hospital. His death triggered the most comprehensive investigation yet seen at the facility.

Detectives determined that shortly before his collapse, Moreau had received an unknown substance from fellow inmate Quwinton Norman, 34. During the medical emergency, investigators observed Joshua Janise, 34, positioning himself to obstruct deputies' view while Norman concealed a package under his arm. The package was never recovered.

Following Moreau's death, Sheriff Jeff Bergeron ordered a facility-wide shakedown on March 7 with assistance from the Louisiana Department of Corrections. The comprehensive search discovered:

• Crude tattoo devices
• Improvised weapons (wire shanks)
• Homemade charging cables
• Suspected loose tobacco
• Papers and "greeting cards" soaked in unknown substances, some testing positive for synthetic cannabinoids
• Various prescription medications from the detention center's medical department

Both Norman and Janise were charged with Obstruction of Justice. While Moreau's autopsy has been completed, the official cause of death remains pending toxicology results.

May 2024: Unterio Lewis Death Raises Custody Questions

Unterio Lewis, 46, was arrested May 12, 2024, at a Port Allen casino after deputies used a Taser during his arrest. He was charged with entry/remaining after being forbidden and resisting an officer.

Three days later, on May 15, Lewis was found unresponsive in his cell. Despite life-saving efforts by deputies and medical personnel, he died at a local hospital.

An initial autopsy found Lewis died from "combined drug toxicity," raising questions from his family about how he could have accessed multiple drugs after several days in custody.

"How? If you're checking him, he's taking a bath, he's walking through and stuff, and you say he has all these different drugs in him? The system failed him because if he had it during those days, you should've found it, so he couldn't have had it."

— Lewis' mother

Pattern of Contraband-Related Deaths

The three deaths share troubling commonalities:

• Suspected drug involvement in all cases
• Contraband access despite detention center security
• Multiple inmates affected in recent cases
• Ongoing criminal investigations in two cases
• Questions about facility security protocols

The March facility-wide search revealed the scope of contraband infiltration, discovering everything from drugs to weapons to improvised electronics throughout the detention center.

Sheriff's Office Response and Reforms

In response to the pattern of deaths, the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office has implemented multiple security enhancements and is developing additional measures, according to Public Information Officer Sergeant Landon Groger.

Implemented Security Measures:

• All inmate mail is now scanned for review, with legal mail copied and provided directly to inmates
• Mandatory searches of all trustees before work assignments
• Searches of all inmates returning from classes, court, or medical visits before reentering dorms
• Required mandatory perimeter checks
• Life Check System installed to ensure hourly rounds are properly conducted and documented
• Random drug screenings for trustees
• Dedicated Jail Training Coordinator assigned to ensure ongoing staff training

In-Progress Initiatives:

• Detective being assigned specifically to Corrections operations
• New camera system installation to strengthen security monitoring

The sheriff's office reports that since January 2025, seven inmates have been arrested on additional drug charges as part of ongoing efforts to maintain facility security.

"The West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office remains committed to continually reviewing and strengthening our practices to ensure the safety of both offenders and staff," Groger stated. "This includes exploring new technologies and implementing additional measures to further enhance security and accountability within the facility."

Accountability Questions Remain

Despite reform efforts, the pattern of deaths raises critical questions about detention center operations:

Security Protocols:

• How effective will new measures be in preventing contraband entry?
• What screening procedures exist for inmates, visitors, and staff?
• How often are comprehensive searches conducted beyond crisis responses?

Medical Monitoring:

• What medical observation protocols exist for inmates showing signs of distress?
• How quickly are medical emergencies identified and treated?
• What drug testing or health monitoring occurs during incarceration?

Staffing and Training:

• Are detention officers adequately trained to identify new forms of contraband?
• What supervision levels exist in housing areas during off-hours?
• How are high-risk inmates monitored?

Investigation Oversight:

• Who provides external oversight of detention center operations?
• What reporting requirements exist for inmate deaths?
• How are systemic issues identified and addressed before becoming fatal?
• Should an outside agency — Department of Corrections, Legislative Auditor, or Department of Justice — review detention center operations?

Facility Background

The West Baton Rouge Parish Detention Center, located at 1150 Northwest Drive in Port Allen, houses both parish inmates and state inmates on behalf of the Louisiana Department of Corrections. Major Stephen Juge serves as Chief of Corrections, with Rhonda Alleman as warden.

The facility's dual role—housing both local arrestees and state prisoners—creates complex management challenges involving different populations, security levels, and oversight requirements.

Ongoing Investigations

Multiple investigations remain active:

• Henderson murder case: Active prosecution for Paul's death
• Moreau case: Awaiting final toxicology results and potential additional charges
• Lewis case: Criminal and internal investigations ongoing

Sheriff Jeff Bergeron has stated that additional information will be released as investigations conclude.

Community Impact

The series of deaths has shaken confidence in detention center safety and raised concerns about whether the facility can adequately protect inmates in its custody. Family members of the deceased are demanding accountability and systemic changes to prevent future tragedies.

The escalation from suspected overdoses to murder charges indicates the severity of contraband problems and their deadly consequences within the facility.

The sheriff's office has framed its recent actions as recognition of systemic issues and a commitment to reform. The implementation of new technologies, training programs, and security protocols shows proactive steps toward preventing future incidents.

Moving Forward

The community continues to monitor the effectiveness of implemented reforms while awaiting final results from ongoing investigations. The true test of these security enhancements will be whether they can break the pattern of contraband-related deaths that has plagued the facility.

This is a developing story. Check WBRIndependent.com for updates.

For information about this story, contact the West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office at (225) 389-2302 or spokesperson Sergeant Landon Groger.

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