Sheriff Stassi sworn in to second term
Pledging to continue his emphasis in fighting the drug traffic in Iberville and in being visible in the community, Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi was sworn into his second term in office on Thursday by 18th Judicial District Judge Elizabeth Engolio.
Stassi was unopposed for his second term. “I am humbled by the support Iberville residents have shown me and the Iberville Sheriff’s Office, and I assure them that I will continue to work hard to honor their trust and confidence,” he said. “I will also continue working with other Iberville officials to better our community.”
Stassi has made a number of changes in the Iberville Sheriff’s Office since he took over as Sheriff in 2012. These have included establishing a Crime Scene Unit, beefing up the Detective Division, upgrading deputy vehicles and equipment, ramping up training for deputies, adding a CPA to the staff to assure taxpayer funds are handled efficiently, and significantly increasing the presence of the Sheriff’s Office at community events and on a daily basis.
His improvements have resulted in increased drug arrests, and also increased convictions. In fact, drug arrests have increased from 450 in 2013 to 534 in 2014 to 602 in 2015. Meanwhile his community programs, such as the Thanksgiving turkey distribution and Sheriff’s Toy Drive at Christmas have helped hundreds throughout Iberville. Stassi has also made visiting schools a priority, visiting all Iberville schools each of the past three years to talk directly with students about the dangers of drug use and bullying.
Stassi was sworn in at his office in the Iberville Parish Courthouse, along with Chief Criminal Deputy Stephen Engolio by newly-elected Judge Engolio. After their swearing-in, 18th Judicial District Court Judge Alvin Battiste swore in the following: Chief Administrator Russell Jackson, Major over Criminal Investigations Ronnie Hebert, Major over Uniform Patrol James “Jimbo” Cox, Captain Monty Migliacio, Warden Joseph “Pete” Edwards, Captain Tommy Favaron, Captain over north Iberville Hosea Anderson, Captain over east Iberville James Snelson, Captain of Narcotics Ty Patin, and Captain over training Walter Ventress.
