Parole committee hears dozens of cases Aug. 29; panel denies and revokes multiple applications

The Committee on Parole met Aug. 29, 2024, in Baton Rouge and considered a full docket of parole reviews and potential revocations. Chair Chuck Tillis presided with Miss Stapleton and Mister Prater. After hearing statements from applicants, victims and facility staff at remote locations, the panel declined or revoked several parole requests, often citing criminal history, victim impact statements and available evidence.

The board opened the morning by calling the roll and reading charges for each applicant. In each case the member handling the file read counts, relevant dates and the applicant’s parole/good-time dates before allowing the applicant and any victims or staff to speak.

Several cases drew direct victim testimony. Naomi Deville opposed release for Roger Alley, telling the board the abuse “destroyed my family” and that she still suffers from the harms of his conduct. Leticia Johnson Harvey told the board in the Wamey Johnson case that her children remain “really damaged because of this,” urging the panel not to release the applicant. The board repeatedly cited victim statements, police observations and prior criminal conduct as central to its deliberations.

Votes at a glance - Lewis Wynn (DLC 711715): Board heard not-guilty pleas and a factual dispute about residence and registration. The panel informed Wynn that the application was denied; the record notes two board votes against the applicant. - Roger Alley (DLC 578158): Alley offered a remorse statement. Victim Naomi Deville opposed parole. The panel voted to deny parole. - James Gomez (DLC 346824): Gomez acknowledged a resisting-arrest incident and chronic supervision-fee arrears; facility staff and a jail captain provided support but the board revoked the application. - (Listed in record as) Derek Wu / Wooten (DLC 477785): The file included dismissed and amended counts and a victim statement; the panel revoked the application. - Ivan Edison Scroud (DOC 487984): The panel reviewed a case involving an alleged misidentification and police observations of a victim with facial injuries; the board revoked the application. - Catherine Helmerovi (DOC 776800): Panel focused on a long DWI history and lack of substance-abuse programming; parole was denied and the board recommended substance-abuse classes before reconsideration. - Wamey Johnson (DOC 757164): Victim Leticia Johnson Harvey delivered detailed opposition; the board denied parole, citing the severity of the underlying cruelty-to-juvenile convictions and public-safety concerns. - Born Jones (DOC 726161): Staff presented certificates and letters in support; the board nonetheless denied parole after reviewing the underlying aggravated child-sexual-assault-related records and the applicant’s history. - Patrick King Lecin (DOC 560194): Applicant waived a full hearing, noting he was months from completing his sentence; the board accepted that waiver and closed the matter.

What mattered Board members repeatedly weighed three types of evidence: written facility reports and certificates, police reports/videos, and victim statements. Panelists pressed applicants about recent arrests, whether they enrolled in offender-specific programming, and local support plans. In multiple cases panelists explicitly recommended or requested that DOC identify facilities where applicants could complete substance-abuse or offense-specific programming before another parole review.

Quotable moments and procedural notes - Chair Chuck Tillis and panelists routinely closed each case by informing the applicant of the vote; several files ended with the statement, “Your parole has been denied,” or similar language recorded by the chair. - Victim Naomi Deville said in the Roger Alley case: "It destroyed my family … It was nothing compared to what you made me lose as a child." (transcript remarks in the record.)

Next steps The decisions announced Aug. 29 were case-specific: denied and revoked applicants may pursue the next procedural remedies available under DOC rules and the committee’s policies. In several matters panelists recommended DOC place applicants where they can complete substance-abuse or offense-specific programs prior to any future parole consideration.

The Committee on Parole adjourned after reviewing the docket for the day.