Last week Drug Task Force Detectives of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call that set into motion a successful operation targeting the smuggling of illegal narcotics into Rayburn Correctional Center (RCC).
RCC informed DTF Detectives that an inmate by the name of Carlos Alcerreca Vargas was suspected of orchestrating the smuggling of illegal narcotics into the prison. Inmate Vargas had allegedly attempted to coerce a Rayburn officer into participating in this illegal activity by promising financial compensation.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, RCC sought the assistance of the WPSO Drug Task Force to lead the investigation. On November 3 a joint effort between Detectives from the Washington Parish Drug Task Force and RCC resulted in a covert undercover operation at the Sportsman Inn in Bogalusa. The operation was designed to apprehend individuals involved in the smuggling of illegal narcotics into the prison system.
During the operation, a Drug Task Force Agent assumed the role of a corrupt Rayburn Correctional Officer and engaged in conversations with an individual identified as 49 YO Sherman Ray Wilder of Marrero. It was revealed that an illegal narcotics transaction was planned, and a meeting was arranged at the Sportsman Inn. Rayburn Investigators monitored inmate communications inside the prison, gathering crucial intelligence that guided the operation. As the operation unfolded, it was agreed upon that Sherman Wilder would bring the illegal narcotics to the Sportsman Inn, along with $2,000 in cash as payment to the corrupt officer for smuggling the drugs into the prison. Later that same day, Sherman Wilder arrived at the Sportsman Inn, where law enforcement agents swiftly took him into custody. Upon searching Wilder, officers discovered 2.6 ounces of Meth, 4 paper sheets of synthetic Mojo, and $2,474 in cash.
