Louisiana
Grieving Louisiana father faces $18,000 bill to access state records of son’s case
A Louisiana state prosecutor who declined to file a murder charge in connection with a man’s drugging and robbery death in 2017 has demanded more than $18,000 for the victim’s grieving father to obtain public records related to the case.
Robert G Arthur III – whose son, Shawn Arthur, died as a result of federal sex trafficking and theft crimes, according to a judge – responded to the demand by filing a lawsuit Wednesday which alleges that the office of Jefferson parish district attorney Paul Connick is violating state public records laws by setting such a high price.
The case as laid out by Robert Arthur illustrates how government agencies can purport to be prepared to release public documents but then erect another impediment to access by using cost-prohibitive pricing. Louisiana news station WWL-TV reported that Arthur’s lawsuit could also have wide implications for journalists and others who have seen authorities charge increasingly high fees for records that are supposed to be accessible by the general public.
“If fees dissuade public-interest requesters, such as citizens and journalists, from acquiring records, then under democratic theory, informed self-governance is threatened, not to mention practical benefits to society,” said Arthur’s lawsuit, which was prepared with the help of a Tulane University law clinic that specializes in issues pertaining to access to government records.
A statement from Connick’s office did not address Arthur’s lawsuit, citing a policy against discussing pending litigation. But the statement insisted Connick’s office “follows Louisiana’s public records law when responding to the public’s requests for documents that are in its custody”.
“The law additionally allows the office to set reasonable fees for providing these documents,” said the statement, which directed members of the public to the agency’s website for information on provisions by which they could seek reduced fees.
The local sheriff’s office at first decided that Shawn Arthur’s death was an accident, opting against following a lead to a sex worker who had visited his apartment in the Jefferson parish community of Metairie on the night he died.
Robert Arthur – who lives near Kansas City, Missouri – later hired private investigators to track down the sex worker, Dominique Berry, in a Georgia jail, where she acknowledged giving drugs and alcohol to dozens of men, including Shawn Arthur, to help her boyfriend Randy Schenck rob them.
As HuffPost reported, Robert Arthur provided his investigators’ findings to federal authorities, who charged Schenck and Berry with sex trafficking as well as identity theft.
Schenck and Berry each pleaded guilty, receiving prison sentences of 25 years as well as three years and nine months, respectively. The judge presiding over the case ordered Schenck to pay Shawn Arthur’s family nearly $330,000 in restitution, an amount meant to represent the victim’s lost net-income, his funeral expenses and his stolen property, which included his credit and debit cards, engagement ring, wedding bands and truck.
Schenck could have also faced a charge of murder because one of the definitions for that crime under state law is a death which results from certain felonies, including robbery.
But, as WWL-TV reported, Connick’s office in February announced that it did not have sufficient evidence for “a homicide prosecution in connection with the death of Shawn Arthur”.
Robert Arthur requested public records about his son’s case the same day of that announcement, according to his lawsuit, which the Guardian reviewed.
In September, the DA’s office indicated that it had 37,000 pages of documents ready for Robert Arthur. And in October, the office told Arthur it could send the files to him if he paid 50 cents a page – about $18,500 – for paper copies.
Arthur said another option presented to him was paying 15 cents a page – more than $5,500 – for digital copies, with the fee meant to cover scanning and redaction of the documents.
Arthur could also travel to the office, review them in-person and take photos or scan them. But that would also be costly. He estimates that he typically spends between $850 and $1,000 to go to Jefferson, which is adjacent to New Orleans, whenever he travels there for matters related to his son’s death.
“To file a request for public records and finally be told … months later that the records are ready, with a price tag of [more than] $18,000, is ridiculous,” Arthur said to WWL-TV.
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – It’s Election Day, and many voters are deciding on some closely watched primary run-offs, which will determine who appears on the ballot in November.
Polls are open as of 7 a.m. on June 27 and will close at 8 p.m. You will still be able to vote as long as you are in line by 8 p.m.
Election coverage
Fox 8 will bring you analysis as the numbers come in. Our election coverage starts at 9 p.m. on our streaming apps and online.
Who’s on the ballot?
Today is the Republican primary runoff between Stephanie Hilferty and John Young for Louisiana Public Service Commission District 1.
And in the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education District 1 race, Joseph Cao and Ellie Schroder are going head-to-head.
Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming and Congresswoman Julia Letlow face off for the Republican U.S Senate nomination.
This week, a JMC Analytics poll put Fleming five points higher than Letlow.
Gary Crockett and Jamie Davis are the two candidates on the U.S Senate Democratic ballot.
On May 16, Davis got 47 percent of the vote statewide in the Democratic primary. Crockett got 26 percent of the vote.
Fox 8 interviewed the Republican and Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate. You can watch those interviews below:
Voters will also decide how much they want to fund 140 St. Tammany sheriff’s deputies. Fox 8 covered this proposal extensively, and voters can learn more HERE.
New party primary rules
In June 27th’s runoff, voters must stick with the same party they selected in the May election. For example, those who voted Republican in May must vote Republican in this runoff.
However, in the November general election, all voters can select any candidate on the ballot regardless of party.
The Louisiana Secretary of State website lists requirements voters should know before heading to the polls.
What should I bring?
Be prepared to show one of the following before voting:
- a driver’s license;
- a Louisiana Special ID;
- LA Wallet digital driver’s license;
- a United States military identification card that contains your name and picture; or
- some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature.
Where do I vote?
You can use the Louisiana Voter Portal to find where you vote on election day, or you can call your parish Registrar of Voters Office. Your voter information card, which is sent by mail, lists your polling place.
Click HERE to find your voting precinct by entering personal information, such as your zip code. This method gives you the most specific information.
Can I vote by mail?
In Louisiana, only certain citizens can vote by mail, including:
- military or overseas citizens;
- senior citizens (65+);
- voters with disabilities;
- higher education students & professors;
- religious clergy;
- voters temporarily absent during early voting and election day;
- voters who moved to a new parish more than 100 miles from former residence within 30 days of election;
- persons involuntarily confined to institution;
- sequestered jurors;
- voters hospitalized or who expect to be hospitalized during early voting and election day;
- voters employed upon state waters;
- voters incarcerated for non-felony with sheriff’s certification; and
- participants in the state’s address confidentiality program.
For more information, click HERE.
What if I have a disability?
People with visual impairments and the person assisting them in voting may go to the front of the line at their polling place.
According to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website, a voter is entitled to receive assistance while voting if they are unable to read or unable to vote without assistance because of a physical disability, including being visually impaired. A voter may choose to use the audio ballot instead of receiving assistance.
However, voters must either file a statement with the registrar in person or by mail before the election if they need assistance in voting or complete an affidavit and/or provide specific documentation to the commissioner on election day.
For more information, click HERE.
Rules on advocating
According to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website, you should never wear, hand out, or display anything advocating for or against any candidate, proposition, or political party appearing on the ballot in the election while voting. All polling places have a 600 foot campaign free zone.
To see what exactly will be on your ballot, find polling locations, and more, you can go to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website HERE.
See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Click Here to report it. Please include the headline.
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Copyright 2026 WVUE. All rights reserved.
ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) – After being hired as the new head coach of the Southern Jaguars, Marshall Faulk made the trip to Central Louisiana to help promote his program.
“These are my eyes for the talent in this area,” Faulk told KALB. “We’re aggressive about recruiting the State of Louisiana, and so when there’s good talent and players coming up here, hanging out with some of the people that I know.”
Southern is Faulk’s first head coaching job after spending last season as an assistant at Colorado.
“I’ve done a lot of stuff in the states that I’ve lived,” Faulk said. “Being born here, I hadn’t done a lot around helping youth sports and helping kids in this environment. I’ve got a lot of information and education around football and things that I can give, and this is a great opportunity to give back.”
The Jaguars only won two games in 2025, but are just two years removed from a SWAC Championship Game appearance.
“Just the guys learning how to practice their willingness to learn,” Faulk said on the traits he’s seen thus far from his team. “They’re wanting their desire to get better, and that’s all you want.”
Southern opens up their season on August 29 against Alabama State at the Birmingham Football Classic.
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Copyright 2026 KALB. All rights reserved.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official completion of the $128 million I-20 Major Rehabilitation Project in Bossier and Caddo Parishes.
[Above photo by Louisiana DOTD]
The project, noted as being one of the largest investments in the I-20 corridor in many years, included a total rebuild of all the travel lanes and ramps at five interchanges from near Hamilton Road to LA 782-2 (Industrial Drive) in Bossier City.
Work began on this I-20 project in September 2023, which included removing all of the original pavement and roadway base down to the dirt – fully reconstructing them with all new material, the first project of its kind for this section of interstate since it was built in the 1960s.
The project also included extensive concrete panel replacements across the Red River on sections of I-20 in Shreveport; drainage structure installation and improvements; new overhead signage and related components; updated street lighting, a new barrier wall, and headlight glare screens; plus fresh roadway striping and reflectorized pavement markings.
The agency said contractors completed all major construction work such as concrete paving by late 2025, with final items – including permanent roadway striping and signage – finished over the last several months.
“The I-20 project is a testament to what we can accomplish when collaboration is at the forefront and everyone works toward a common goal, which is to deliver a large-scale investment that positively impacts the quality of life for thousands of citizens,” noted Governor Jeff Landry (R) in a statement.
“Executing such a vast infrastructure improvement also demonstrates government accountability, effective project management, and a commitment to delivering on our promises,” he said.
“The I-20 major rehabilitation project was a transformational investment in one of the most vital transportation corridors in not only Louisiana, but also across the entire southern United States,” added Glenn Ledet, Louisiana DOTD secretary. “Meaningful advancements like this one help ensure reliability, safety, and resilience – all of which are essential to strengthening the larger transportation network.”
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