Louisiana Parole Panel Denies Several Requests, Revokes One and Orders Treatment or Prerelease for Others
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Summary
The Committee on Parole met Nov. 12, 2025, and issued multiple decisions: one parole was revoked, two inmates were granted conditional release pending prerelease or treatment, several parole requests were denied, and one hearing was continued for counsel. Outcomes were tied to program completion or law‑enforcement opposition.
The Louisiana Committee on Parole held a multi‑site docket on Nov. 12, 2025, hearing revocation proceedings and parole reviews from several parish detention centers. Chair Cheryl Renata presided with committee members Carolyn Stapleton and Jeri LeDoux participating; DOC staff and local officials provided records and testimony.
The panel revoked parole for Julian Neldale, DOC #401468, after finding he violated a special condition requiring participation in the Parole Project and access to financial records. Neldale pleaded "guilty with a statement" and described being confused about paperwork; the chair said the form on file showed the requirement was explained and the panel voted to revoke. "My vote today is to revoke your parole," the chair said.
Several other decisions turned on program participation and community safety concerns. Toby Adam Henry, DOC #492731, admitted failing to report, testing positive for methamphetamine and THC, and failing to enroll in ordered treatment. Henry told the panel he was "tired" of supervision but said he wanted help; rather than revoke his parole, the committee unanimously voted to place him in a DOC substance‑abuse program during his incarceration so he would receive treatment.
Jerome Reynolds (DOC #786340), Mr. Galarpe (DOC 763315), and Dalton Aaron (DOC 780740) were denied parole. Panel members cited the seriousness of offenses, law‑enforcement opposition, lack of completed offender‑specific programming, and (in Aaron’s case) a high Static‑99 actuarial score and recommended a mental‑health evaluation.
By contrast, the panel conditionally approved early release for two inmates contingent on completing prerelease and other conditions. Jonathan Beckley, presented with letters of support from facility staff and community members, received a conditional grant pending completion of the 50‑hour prerelease program and continued drug testing. Thomas White was also granted conditional parole provided he completes prerelease, submits to increased drug screening, follows a curfew and does not return to the parish cited by opponents while under supervision.
One hearing was continued at the request of the inmate’s counsel. Willie Durant Smith (DOC #718626) requested his attorney be added to the Zoom hearing and the panel agreed to continue his case to allow counsel to participate.
Votes at a glance: - Julian Neldale (revocation): panel voted to revoke parole (unanimous). - Willie D. Smith: hearing continued to allow counsel to appear. - Toby Adam Henry: vote to send to DOC substance‑abuse treatment in lieu of revocation (unanimous). - Jerome Reynolds: parole denied (unanimous). - Steven Lignon: parole denied. - Mr. Galarpe: parole denied (unanimous). - Jonathan Beckley: conditional grant upon completion of prerelease and supervision conditions. - Thomas White: conditional grant upon completion of prerelease, increased drug screens, curfew and restriction from specified parish. - Dalton Aaron: parole denied; recommendation for mental‑health evaluation.
What the panel emphasized: committee members repeatedly tied decisions to the presence or absence of completed programming (prerelease, offender‑specific classes, substance‑abuse treatment), letters of support from facility staff, and external opposition from law enforcement or victims. The panel repeatedly warned that conditional releases would require strict supervision, frequent drug tests and adherence to curfews.
Next steps: the committee recorded directions for DOC to notify inmates of reapplication procedures or to arrange transfer to programs where indicated. Several inmates were given instructions about how to apply for reparole or how and when prerelease completion would be confirmed to the board. The meeting adjourned at about 11:36 a.m.
(Reporting based on Committee on Parole proceedings, Nov. 12, 2025.)
