NAPOLEOVILLE – Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon has announced the apprehension of 37-year-old Ivan Smith, a resident of Marrero, LA, who faces numerous charges related to a series of financial crimes that started in July 2023.
On the 15th of July, 2023, deputies were called to investigate an identity theft complaint from a resident in Pierre Part. The subsequent investigation revealed that the complainant’s cell phone service had been tampered with, resulting in unauthorized use of their home improvement store accounts in Kenner and Harahan. The total value of goods illegally obtained exceeded $9,000. By examining electronic surveillance footage, detectives were able to trace a series of events leading them to identify Ivan Smith as the main suspect.
As officers tried to apprehend Smith by stopping his vehicle on the Westbank of Jefferson Parish, he initiated a high-speed chase followed by an attempt to escape on foot. However, law enforcement officers managed to detain him shortly afterward.
After further investigation, it was confirmed that the individual arrested after the foot chase and the one responsible for fraudulent activities at home improvement stores were the same – Ivan Smith. Subsequently, he was arrested and placed in Jefferson Parish Detention Center under local charges.
On December 8, 2023, Ivan Smith was handed over to the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on multiple charges including Access Device Fraud, Computer Fraud, Monetary Instrument Abuse, Identity Theft, and two counts of Bank Fraud. Currently, Ivan Smith remains incarcerated with a bond set at $135,000.