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A Gueydan man pleaded guilty on July 7 in Federal Court in Lafayette for migratory bird violations that occurred in Vermilion Parish.
Judge Carol B. Whitehurst of the Western District Court accepted the guilty plea of Lane T. Thibodeaux, 21, for taking a whooping crane for which there is no season, taking migratory game birds out of season, from a moving vehicle and without a Louisiana hunting license, and wanton waste of migratory game birds. Judge Whitehurst sentenced Thibodeaux to serve 45 days in Federal Prison for each of the five convictions to run concurrently and a $2,500 fine. He must pay his fine in full within one year or he will have to serve 45 days in Federal Prison for each of the five convictions to run consecutively.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents began investigating a whooping crane that was found in a field just north of Gueydan off of Zaunbrecher Rd. with a gunshot wound in its left leg on Nov. 4, 2014. The crane was transported to the LSU Veterinary School where it had to be euthanized because of its gunshot injury.
Through the course of the investigation agents were able to ascertain information from confidential informants that told them Thibodeaux was the person that shot the whooping crane. Agents were able to obtain a search warrant for Thibodeaux’s phone and then collect videos and photos showing Thibodeaux shooting migratory game birds from a vehicle off of a public road near the area where the whooping crane was found. The phone also contained information of Thibodeaux being involved in illegal narcotic activity, which was turned over to the Vermilion Parish Narcotics Task Force.
During the investigation agents also learned that Thibodeaux threatened the informants to not give any information to LDWF agents about the whooping crane he shot. Agents arrested Thibodeaux on charges of felony witness intimidation on March 4, 2015 and those charges are still pending at this time.
The crane in this case had been released in January of 2014. LDWF is working cooperatively with the USFWS, USGS, the International Crane Foundation and the Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit to bring the species back to the state. This non-migratory flock of whooping cranes is designated as a non-essential, experimental population but is protected under state law, the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
The confidential informants will split a reward for their information that led to the arrest and conviction of Thibodeaux. The reward money consisted of $1,000 each from LDWF’s Operation Game Thief program and the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation; $5,000 from The Humane Society of the United States and The Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust; and $3,000 from anonymous donors.
The lead LDWF investigative agent for this case was Senior Agent Derek Logan with assistance from Lt. Beau Robertson and Sgt. David Sanford. The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab and PC Recovery in Lafayette assisted with collecting the data from the seized cell phones. The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office also assisted with the execution of warrants.

July 1, 1935 - July 8, 2017

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Monday, July 10, 2017 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Clougest “CJ” Boudreaux, 82, who died Saturday July 8, 2017 at his residence surrounded by his family.
He was laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Deacon Andrew Schumacher officiating the services. Pallbearers were CJ Boudreaux, Jr., Richard Boudreaux, Darrell Boudreaux, Rodney Boudreaux, Eddie Boudreaux and Ronald Hebert. Honorary pallbearers included Danny Uriegas, Bobby Badon and Roy Trantor.
He is survived by his five sons, Clougest “CJ” Boudreaux Jr and his wife Stephanie, Richard Boudreaux and his wife Phyllis, Darrell Boudreaux, Rodney Boudreaux and his wife Melinda, and Eddie Boudreaux and his wife Dannelle; five daughters, Geraldine “Dene” Badon and her husband Bobby, Darlene Hebert and her husband Ronald, Judy Uriegas and her husband Danny, Debbie Trantor and her husband Roy, and Barbara Bouillion and her husband Matt; brothers, Roy Boudreaux, Bobby Boudreaux and Kenneth Boudreaux; twenty-two grandchildren; thirty-three great grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Gertie Mae LeBlanc Boudreaux; parents, Edmay Boudreaux and the former Evelyn Busche; brothers, Alvin Boudreaux, Donald Boudreaux and Lester Boudreaux; grandchildren, Rory Boudreaux, Ashley Hebert and Bryan Badon; great granddaughter, Olivia Boudreaux; and great-great granddaughter, Elaine Langlinais.
The family would like to thank the staff at Heart of Hospice for the care and compassion they provided in their time of need.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements were conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

LAFAYETTE – Monday, One Acadiana (1A) announced Jason El Koubi has been selected by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), the state economic development authority for the Commonwealth of Virginia, to serve as its executive vice president, the no. 2 position in the organization.
El Koubi served as 1A’s President and CEO since September 2013 beginning with 1A's predecessor organization, the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.
Jim Bourgeois, currently One Acadiana’s Executive Director of Business Development, will serve as interim CEO effective immediately. “Jim has been with One Acadiana since its inception. His leadership over the last 2 1⁄2 years gives us every confidence in his ability to guide our organization through this transition,” said One Acadiana’s Chairman Frank Neuner, Managing Partner of NeunerPate.
“Jason has made the kinds of transformational impacts on our organization, community, and region that we aspired to achieve when we hired him four years ago,” said Julie Simon-Dronet, Vice President, Cox Acadiana Market. “He has positioned One Acadiana for great success as one of the state's strongest regional economic development organizations, and we wish him well on his next endeavor.”
Since joining One Acadiana in September 2013, El Koubi worked with top business and civic leaders to develop and launch "The Campaign for One Acadiana," a five-year, $15 million initiative to deliver a new, nationally competitive regional economic development program for the nine-parish region.
Pursuing a vision to make the Acadiana Region one of the most sought after in the South, the organization has established an unprecedented platform for regional leadership and cohesion across nine parishes; helped secure public support to catalyze major infrastructure projects including the new Lafayette Regional Airport terminal and the I-49 Lafayette Connector; and launched a business-focused regional workforce development strategy that has among other things supported rapid retraining and reemployment for hundreds of displaced oilfield workers.
Focused on creating jobs and opportunities for the region, One Acadiana launched a business attraction, expansion, and retention program with an accompanying target industry strategy to generate more economic development project leads and wins, as well as created a site development program that has dramatically increased the inventory of Acadiana’s certified industrial sites.
Other notable accomplishments under El Koubi’s leadership include achieving a new level of alignment and focus on urban revitalization and development as a top economic development priority for the area and producing hundreds of engaging events, programs, and other activities for its investors and members.
“We are disappointed to lose Jason, who has been an exceptional leader for our organization and community; however, the ongoing initiatives that Jason developed in partnership with our Board of Directors, investors, members, and partners, coupled with a very capable and committed staff, position One Acadiana to accelerate its impact on improving our area’s economic competitiveness,” said Donald Broussard, CFO of The Lemoine Company and One Acadiana Chair-elect.
“Jason’s ability to bring together business leaders from across the region, including the CEOs of many of Acadiana’s largest organizations, will provide an enduring foundation for Acadiana’s future success. He has helped focus our efforts on the biggest opportunities and generated momentum through meaningful progress on our strategic priorities. As a result, One Acadiana is in a great position to secure another talented leader to carry out this important work,” said David Callecod, President of Lafayette General Health, who served as Chairman of One Acadiana’s CEO Advisory Council during its first two years.
El Koubi said, “Leading One Acadiana has been one of the greatest privileges of my career, uniting my passion for our state and region with my professional interests. I’m particularly grateful to the leaders who had the courage and vision to create One Acadiana, the group of investors whose leadership and commitment turned the One Acadiana vision into reality, and the tremendously capable One Acadiana staff for their commitment to passionately advance our mission every day.
He also emphasized the importance of continuing One Acadiana’s work, “One Acadiana is a catalyst for unlocking our area’s tremendous potential through business and civic leadership. Sustaining these efforts will have a direct and positive impact on the long-term economic trajectory of our community, region, and state.”
Prior to joining One Acadiana, El Koubi served as assistant secretary of Louisiana Economic Development. He had previously served as policy director of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, or BRAC; performance auditor with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor; and project consultant/environmental engineer with Trinity Consultants.
El Koubi will remain with One Acadiana through the end of July. Plans to begin a nationwide search for a permanent replacement will unfold in the coming weeks.
About One Acadiana
One Acadiana is the leading economic development organization for the nine-parish Acadiana region located in south Louisiana. With more than 1,200 investors, members, and partners, One Acadiana serves as the voice of the regional business community. The organization is located in the city of Lafayette and serves a region of roughly 700,000 people with a vibrant culture and unique entrepreneurial spirit. Learn more at OneAcadiana.org

Living Legend Paul L. Landry celebrated another year of independence with a party at his home in Perry.
God has blessed him with '103 years of life experiences and he treats each day as a gift.
He and his wife Edola Perry Landry shared 77 years together and had three daughters: Judy Choate, Paulette Landry and Connie Durand, eight grandchildren, 10 grand children, and two great-great grandsons.
Edola passed away at the age of 99.
This year Mr Paul retired his lawnmower and weed eater because of failing eyesight, but he can be seen walking in his yard , sitting on the porch.
He treasures visits from family and friends and spirited conversations on past and present events.
Listening to Cajun music and eating a good meal are also on his list of favorites.
By turning 103, he may be one of the oldest, if not the oldest living person in Vermilion Parish.