Sheriff Craig Webre announced three people have been charged in a bribery scheme involving a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office employee, an inmate, and a Houma woman. Sheriff Webre announced the dismissal and arrest of former correctional officer Woody Shamblin Jr., 22, of Houma who was charged in the investigation. Rebecca Reed, 34, of Houma and Inmate Keenon Smith, 30 have also been charged in the bribery scheme.
Earlier this month, investigators learned Reed had allegedly paid Shamblin to smuggle food items to Inmate Smith on three separate occasions. For several security reasons, unapproved items brought into correctional facilities are deemed “contraband.” Following the investigation, arrest warrants were obtained for one count each of Public Bribery.
Shamblin and Reed both surrendered to authorities this week and were booked into the Correctional Complex. Each was subsequently released upon posting bail. Smith is serving a ten-year sentence for Aggravated Assault with a Firearm and drug possession. He was booked on the additional charge on Thursday.
Shamblin was hired by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office in June, and his employment lasted approximately 17 weeks.
Sheriff Craig Webre said, “I am beyond disappointed with the actions of this former correctional officer. The men and women of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office are held to the highest standards, and we will continue to hold our employees accountable anytime we discover wrongdoing.”