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Guns and ammunition were located by deputies with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office after they were called to a strangulation complaint in Vermilion Parish.
Vermilion Parish Sheriff's deputies locate guns, ammunition in domestic call
The Vermilion Parish Sheriff deputies responded to a strangulation complaint, which led to a whole lot more.
According to Sheriff Eddie Langlinais, at approximately 1:11 a.m. on Feb. 23, patrol deputies from the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office (VPSO) responded to a complaint of a battery of a dating partner with strangulation.
During the initial investigation conducted by VPSO patrol deputies, sufficient evidence was found to support the belief that the accused suspect had committed a battery on his dating partner, which did involve strangulation.
The suspect had since left the residence, so an arrest warrant was issued for the battery and VPSO patrol deputies began actively attempting to locate the suspect.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 24, patrol deputies located the suspect at his residence where they made contact with him and executed the arrest warrant, placing him under arrest.
Upon further investigation, it was learned that the suspect was in possession of several firearms. Through the investigation it was also learned that the suspect had a prior conviction for Domestic Abuse Battery which also included strangulation.
The suspect also had an active restraining order which had been filed and maintained with the Louisiana Supreme Court in New Orleans.
VPSO deputies then obtained a search warrant for the residence and vehicle(s) of the suspect to remove any firearms that he was in possession of unlawfully due to both the violent felony conviction and the active restraining order.
During the subsequent search, deputies recovered body armor consisting of hard plates inside of a carrier marked “Secret Service,” a law enforcement style “duty” belt, 12 long guns, an AR pistol, a revolver, and a semi-automatic pistol, and several hundred to thousands of rounds of various types of ammunition.
Deputies obtained an additional arrest warrant for the suspect for the following charges: • 15 counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
• 15 counts of Possession of a Firearm by someone Convicted of Domestic Abuse Battery • 1 count of Illegal Possession of Body Armor by a Convicted Felon
• 15 counts of Violation of a Protective Order
To protect the privacy of the victim, names have been intentionally withheld.
Sheriff Langlinais would like to thank Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies for their safe execution of the arrest warrant and subsequent search warrant which resulted in taking several illegally possessed guns and copious amounts of ammunition off of Vermilion Parish streets.
Sheriff Langlinais would also like to remind the public that this is still an active and ongoing investigation, and any assistance the public can offer is appreciated. More information on reporting illegal activities can be found on our website at www.VermilionSheriff.gov. Click on Anonymous Tips and fill out the Crime Stoppers of Vermilion Tip Form to submit information. You can also report illegal activity anonymously by calling the Crime Stoppers tip line at (337) 740-TIPS (8477) or you can download and login to the P3 App where you can earn a cash reward.

Donna Kaye Bourque Abshire
September 27, 1954 ~ February 23, 2025
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be so He put His arms around you and whispered, “Come to Me.”
With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you pass away and although we love you dearly we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.
ABBEVILLE — A Memorial Service will be held at Vincent Funeral Home – Abbeville on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. honoring the life of Donna Kaye Bourque Abshire 70, who passed away on February 23, 2025, at her residence. Deacon William “Billy” Vincent will officiate at the funeral service. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.
Donna was born on September 27, 1954, in Abbeville, LA.
A visitation will take place at Vincent Funeral Home – Abbeville, 209 S. Saint Charles St., Abbeville, on Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 10 a.m. until the time of services.
Donna is survived by her sons, Shawn Broussard and his wife, CeCe of Katy, TX, and Brett Doucet and his wife, Elizabeth of Ville Platte; daughter, Tara Broussard and her fiancé, John of Maurice; seven grandchildren, Hayden Guillory, Aida-lyse Johnson, Gaige Barrilleaux, Anna Barrilleaux, Ellie Doucet, Millie Doucet, and Baylor Doucet; and sisters, Judith Broussard (Dudley), Carliss Sellers (Nolan), Paulette McCloskey, and Becky Andrus (John).
She is preceded in death by her spouse, Calvin Abshire; and parents, Peterman Bourque and the former Nita Mary Boutte.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville (337) 893-4661.

Rachel Touchet Mouton
Rachel Touchet Mouton running for District B seat on Abbeville City Council
Hello, my name is Rachel Touchet Mouton, and I am running for Abbeville City Council District B. I have been a resident in Abbeville for 23 years. I have been married to Jeremy Mouton for 8 years, and a proud mother of Matthew, an enlisted U.S. Navy member. Having worked for Walmart for 32 years, 6 years in management and 20 years in HR, I possess extensive knowledge of our community and demonstrate a commitment to hard work. I am also a dedicated community member and advocate.
My goal for District B in Abbeville is to promote family values and to be transparent with all whom I represent. I will work hand and hand with city officials to continue to make Abbeville a better place for our current generation and for those to come. Together we can build a better Abbeville.
I humbly ask for your support and vote on March 29, 2025 for a special election. Early voting is March 15 -22, 2025. Thank you Rachel Touchet Mouton.
Paid for by
Rachel Touchet Mouton

Francis Plaisance
Plaisance seeks District B seat on the Abbeville City Council
Francis J. Plaisance announces his candidacy in the March 29 special election to fill the District B seat on the Abbeville City Council. Early voting is set for March 15-22, 2025. The public is encouraged to vote in this important special election.
“I will represent my constituents as a voice of integrity and experience while working with the current administration to move Abbeville forward,” Plaisance said. “My proven ability to lead, to compromise, and to work as a team member, qualifies me for this position on the City Council.”
During his previous sixteen years as the Councilman at Large, Plaisance also served as Mayor Pro-Tem for twelve years and proved himself an asset to the City.
Notably, he spear-headed the two necessary salary increases for the Police Department, the Fire Department, and the City of Abbeville employees.
In addition, Plaisance is the founder of the beautiful Lafitte Drive-In Park, located at 117 N. John Hardy Drive. If elected, he hopes to develop the park further. Moreover, he was co-founder of the Abbeville Film and Visitors Commission and founder of the Cake and Ice-Cream Festival.
Plaisance is well-known for his previous remarkable leadership with the Louisiana Cattle Festival, having served as Grand Parade Chairman for 25 years, President for 20 years, Vice President for two years, and board member for 26 years.
“I will accept the challenges of this City Council seat with enthusiasm, energy, and a vision for the future, while working with the current Mayor and Council,” Plaisance added. “I will respect all citizens that I represent and address their concerns.”
Plaisance retired with 25 years of service as a State of Louisiana employee, having served in the Department of Social Services as a Child Protection Investigator, after working with Louisiana Job Service for several years.
Numerous community organizations have benefitted from Plaisance’s service. He was a Charter Member and Board Member of the Abbeville Military Museum; past Vice President and Charter Board Member of the Vermilion Domestic Abuse Intervention Program; and Charter Member and Board Member of the original Riceland Little League. Plaisance is a former member of the Abbeville Lions Club, Abbeville Recreation Board, and Horseman Association of Southwest Louisiana Board of Trustees.
Plaisance earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now ULL) in 1976, as well as an Associate of Arts degree from Southeastern Christian College in Winchester, Kentucky, where he was ordained a minister, after months of church work in Appalachia. He served as pastor of the Abbeville Church of Christ for 13 years and currently serves as a Board Member, as well as teaching Sunday School and preaching part-time.
Plaisance has received numerous civic awards. He was the “What I Want To Be and Why” Rotary Club essay contest winner while attending Abbeville High School; Outstanding Employee Award winner by the Louisiana Council on Child Abuse, Lafayette Region, in 1992; Louisiana Cattle Festival President’s Award winner in both 1997 and 2001; and Volunteer of the Year Award winner, Louisiana Fair and Festivals, Division II, in 2002. Plaisance was also selected as the 2005 Krewe of Vermilion Parade Grand Marshall, the 2005 Outstanding Citizen by Woodman of the World Life Insurance Society, and American Legion Post 29 Citizen of the Year in 2013.
Francis Plaisance and his wife, the former Vana Johnson, are the parents of Ladessa Plaisance LeBlanc and the late Francis “Fran” Plaisance, Jr. They are the grandparents of Kallen LeBlanc, a ULL nursing student, and Caden LeBlanc, a VC student. Plaisance is the son of the late Galton and Lois Plaisance of Abbeville.
“I will continue to dedicate my life to this City and its people,” Plaisance said. “Please remember to vote in this important special election on March 29 or during Early Voting, March 15-22, 2025. Thank you for considering me for the District B seat on the Abbeville City Council. I look forward to the opportunity of serving you again.”
The public is invited to contact Francis Plaisance at (337) 652-0646 or ragin70510@yahoo.com or at facebook.com/Ragin76.
Paid for by
Francis Plaisance






