Parole board revokes parole for multiple inmates, denies one application and continues another
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Summary
At its Feb. 24, 2026 session, the Louisiana Committee on Parole revoked parole for several individuals after revocation hearings, denied parole for one applicant to allow more program participation, and continued one case pending criminal-court outcomes. The panel included Chair Cheryl Renata, Pete Freeman and Steve Prater.
The Louisiana Committee on Parole met Feb. 24, 2026, at Department of Corrections headquarters in Baton Rouge with remote connections to multiple facilities. Chair Cheryl Renata presided, with Pete Freeman and Steve Prater on the panel.
The board considered revocation and parole decisions for multiple people across several facilities. Formal actions included revocations for Courtney Savoy (Bossier), Brett Ballard (Ball Paris/Bossier), Ronald Lewis (Catahoula), Marlon Hanchett (Calcasieu), Erba Lewis (Calcasieu), Tony McDowell (Delhi area), Keyshawn (DOC 801885) and Glenn Smith (DOC 232255). Deandre Smith (East Baton Rouge Parish) was not revoked but was given additional conditions, including anger management and no contact with the alleged victim. Joshua Kavanaugh’s hearing was continued pending his March 10 criminal-court appearance; his attorney said the district attorney was considering dismissal on some counts.
Votes were taken after each presentation of charges and witness statements. Panel members repeatedly explained their role as assessing a preponderance of credible evidence for parole-condition violations, not determining criminal guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In several cases, parole agents cited arrests, surveillance photos or the presence of firearms or contraband as the basis for finding violations; in others, family testimony and evidence of program participation weighed in favor of continued supervision rather than revocation.
Highlights of outcomes:
- Courtney Savoy — Parole revoked after Bossier staff reported he was medically ineligible for the Steve Hoyle inpatient program and staff documented repeated falls; Savoy told the board he had been sober for 194 days and asked for another chance. (Hearing recorded beginning in the Bossier remote location.)
- Brett Ballard — Parole revoked after the panel concluded Ballard admitted possession of a firearm; family members testified in his support.
- Ronald Lewis — Parole revoked based on surveillance, fingerprint and DNA evidence and a signed photo, as recited by parole staff.
- Deandre Smith — Not revoked; the board imposed anger-management classes and a strict no-contact order with the victim, citing eight months in custody and a willingness to assign additional conditions.
- Joshua Kavanaugh — Hearing continued past a March 10 court date to await the outcome of pending charges; defense counsel said the DA was considering dismissal on some counts.
- Norma (Norma Guido) — Parole denied; the board encouraged program participation and noted a good-time date in October 2026. Family testimony and Warden Kristen Thomas’s report of program engagement were considered but the panel voted to deny parole now to allow completion of rehabilitation steps.
- Marlon Hanchett — Parole revoked after parole staff described large-volume fentanyl-related allegations (described in the record as ~17.5 pounds / over 20,000 pills) and a later arrest in a stolen vehicle; the panel cited preponderance of evidence despite defense counsel noting dismissals tied to informant credibility.
- Additional revocations — Erba Lewis, Tony McDowell, Keyshawn and Glenn Smith had their parole revoked after the panel found violations of reporting requirements, possession of weapons, or criminal activity.
The board made clear when a charge was pending in criminal court (as with Kavanaugh) it could continue a parole hearing rather than make a final revocation decision until court outcomes were available. Where the board declined to revoke (Deandre Smith), it imposed supervisory conditions intended to protect victims and the community.
The committee adjourned at 11:02 a.m.
Votes-at-a-glance (summary of formal outcomes): Courtney Savoy — revoked; Brett Ballard — revoked; Ronald Lewis — revoked; Deandre Smith — not revoked (conditions added); Joshua Kavanaugh — continued pending court; Norma Guido — parole denied (encouraged program participation); Marlon Hanchett — revoked; Erba Lewis — revoked; Tony McDowell — revoked; Keyshawn — revoked; Glenn Smith — revoked.
Next steps: those whose parole was revoked will be returned to custody; those denied parole may reapply per board procedures and those continued will return after the pending court proceedings.