White Castle coach accused of choking a student unconscious

White Castle High School coach Edd “Lamar” Thomas will be charged with second degree battery after allegedly choking a student, according to White Castle Police Chief Mario Brown.

An arrest warrant for Thomas was issued Monday, Jan. 23 that states, “Edd Thomas violated second degree battery, physically placing victim, Marlon Lewis (18) in a choke hold from behind without his consent.  As a result of Thomas placing Marlon in the mentioned choke hold, Marlon lost consciousness.  A witness statement was obtained from coach Khary Carrell verifying the fact that Edd Thomas did in fact place Marlon into a choke hold and observed him lose consciousness.”

The arrest warrant information was released in a WBRZ report Tuesday that stated the altercation happened earlier in January.  According to the WBRZ report, another administrator and six students witnessed the occurrence and talked to police about the incident.

“I’m here to protect the laws and citizens of the town and anyone who comes through,” Chief of Police Mario Brown said.  “I’ll continue to do my job to protect anybody and investigate anything that comes across the police station.”

According to School Board Superintendent Arthur Joffrion, the allegation is under investigation and that because this is a personal matter, there was no further comment.