Parole panel revokes several paroles, sends two people to treatment and continues others after June 23 hearing

The Committee on Parole met June 23 at DOC headquarters in Baton Rouge to hear revocation proceedings for multiple people under supervision. Chair Cheryl Renza and panel members Jerry Leoo and Chuck Tillis reviewed a string of cases that ended in several revocations, two in-lieu treatment orders, and multiple continuances to allow pending criminal charges to be resolved.

The most immediate outcomes were revocations for defendants the panel judged to have engaged in new criminal conduct while on supervision. Joshua Miles Klein, who pleaded guilty to violating a protective order after a recent arrest, was revoked after panel members concluded the protective-order violation was new criminal conduct while under supervision. "My vote today is going to be to revoke your parole," member Jerry Leoo said, noting Klein's status as a third-offender and the protective-order finding. The panel's vote was unanimous.

Simon (DOC 574395) faced allegations of aggravated second-degree battery and domestic abuse that the district attorney later declined to file formally; a witness, Briana, spoke on his behalf and said he did not strike her. The panel nonetheless cited prior domestic-violence reports in his supervision file and voted to revoke, with Chair Renza saying the record and reports presented a public-safety concern.

In other cases the panel chose alternatives to revocation. For one participant identified in the record as Rojarius C., the panel returned from executive session and imposed an in-lieu sanction: placement at a DOC-approved facility for a substance-abuse evaluation and domestic-violence prevention training, followed by release back to supervision with a no-contact condition upon completion. "I think you need some help to learn how to deal with situations like that," Chair Renza told the participant; the panel unanimously supported the treatment-and-no-contact approach.

Aaron Dale Woods (DOC 587258) likewise avoided revocation after his attorney and his mother presented a treatment plan and sober-living placement. The panel voted to send Woods to a long-term DOC substance-abuse program followed by discharge to sober living when he completes programming, with members stressing the need for sustained treatment and engagement.

Several cases were continued to allow pending criminal proceedings or interstate-compact transfers to be resolved. The panel continued the case of Terrence Robersonson until law-enforcement disposition and for the participant to pursue an interstate compact to transfer supervision to Texas. The panel also continued James Williams’s matter because an arraignment was scheduled within days.

Panel members repeatedly emphasized two themes: (1) when there is clear evidence of new criminal conduct or patterns of domestic violence, revocation is likely; and (2) when pending criminal charges or transfer paperwork remain unresolved, the panel prefers a continuance to allow disposition or compact processing rather than an immediate revocation. "We'd like to allow time for disposition of the pending charges and allow time for Mr. Robersonson to work on the interstate compact," member Leoo said.

Votes at a glance

- Rojarius C.: In-lieu sanction — placement for substance-abuse evaluation and domestic-violence prevention training; no-contact condition; release back to supervision on completion (unanimous). (Decision announced after executive session.) - Aaron Dale Woods (DOC 587258): In-lieu — long-term DOC substance-abuse program and discharge to sober living after completion (unanimous). - Quinn Sparks (DOC 456039): Parole revoked (unanimous). - Brandon (DOC 774574): Continued to allow pending criminal charges and interstate-compact work (unanimous to continue). - Terrence Robersonson (DOC 706020): Continued for disposition of pending charges and interstate-compact processing (unanimous to continue). - Joshua Miles Klein (DOC 732145): Parole revoked for protective-order violation and new criminal conduct while under supervision (unanimous). - James Williams (DOC 792264): Continued until arraignment/criminal disposition (unanimous to continue). - Simon (DOC 574395): Parole revoked based on evidence of domestic violence and prior reports (unanimous).

What happened next

The panel adjourned at 11:17 a.m. Cases continued by the panel will be rescheduled to allow prosecutors to act on pending charges or to permit participants to pursue interstate-compaction paperwork. Individuals ordered to treatment will be referred to DOC-approved programs; the panel indicated program lengths vary but DOC long-term substance-abuse placements are generally in the 90–160 day range and participants may be discharged to sober living upon completion.

The Committee on Parole heard testimony from victims, family members and legal counsel in several cases and relied on police reports and supervision records when assessing risk and appropriate sanctions. Where evidence of injury or repeated domestic-violence reports existed, the panel cited public-safety concerns in support of revocation. Where recent criminal disposition was pending, the panel frequently continued to wait for court outcomes before making final revocation decisions.