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A routine First Amendment investigation at the Catahoula Parish courthouse uncovered a web of corruption, violence, and cover-ups that reaches from the Sheriff's Office to the jail cells where inmates are dying. What started as one official's aggressive confrontation with a journalist revealed a department where officers tattoo murder dates on their bodies and sheriffs spend taxpayer money on personal projects.
The Courthouse Assault That Started It All
On July 24th, 2025, journalist Justin was filming outside the Catahoula Parish courthouse when Ellis Booth, the parish's homeland security representative, stormed up demanding identification. Booth's aggressive questioning quickly escalated into a physical confrontation inside the building, where he grabbed the journalist's phone and threw it across the room.
"Do not touch me," the journalist warned as Booth invaded his personal space. But the courthouse official continued his assault, putting the reporter in a headlock and seizing his equipment. When deputies arrived, they witnessed Booth's behavior but refused to arrest him despite multiple crimes committed in their presence.
The double standard became clear when deputies admitted that if roles were reversed, the journalist would already be in handcuffs. Instead, they made excuses and stalled while Booth walked free.
SWAT Team's Trophy Tattoos Celebrate Killing
The confrontation led to a deeper investigation into Sheriff Tony Edwards' department, revealing a shocking discovery. Members of the Catahoula Parish Special Response Team got matching tattoos commemorating January 30th, 2025, the date they shot and killed Tyler Nent during a mental health crisis.
The tattoo features the SRT logo, a biblical verse about training for war, and the exact date of Nent's death. Detective Dwayne Littleton displayed his ink on social media through his wife's Facebook post, treating the killing like a trophy.
Tyler Nent had suffered a mental breakdown, shooting his mother and barricading himself in his home. His family had repeatedly tried to get him help from Catahoula authorities before the crisis reached its deadly conclusion. Instead of de-escalation, the SWAT team stormed in and shot him multiple times.
Sheriff Defends Murder Celebration
When confronted about the tattoos, Sheriff Tony Edwards offered weak justifications for his officers' behavior. He claimed the date represented their "first life-threatening call out" and said they would have gotten tattoos regardless of the outcome.
But Tyler Nent's brother Cody saw through the excuse. "That was like a slap in the face," he said. "They didn't stand out here for hours in a gunfight. It's a trophy piece. Maybe like a first kill."
The family received nothing but a death certificate listing multiple gunshot wounds. No investigation details, no explanation from the sheriff, no accountability for the officers who celebrated their son's death with permanent body art.
Million Dollar Corruption Schemes
Edwards' problems extend far beyond his officers' conduct. An audit exposed a $2 million deficit in his department's budget, with money disappearing into questionable purchases and personal projects.
The sheriff bought the Catahoula Correctional Center for $12 million, turning it into what investigators describe as a "slaughterhouse." Records show 20 stabbings in a single month, with drugs and contraband flowing freely while inmates like Montreal Rogers begged for protection before being murdered.
Edwards spent taxpayer funds on an office building without approval, wasted $277,000 on an unnecessary armored vehicle, and even built a storm shelter at his personal residence using inmate labor. Deputies were fired in waves and replaced with unqualified hires as the department spiraled into chaos.
The Cover-Up Continues
Back at the courthouse, deputies scrambled to protect Ellis Booth from consequences while intimidating the journalist who exposed the assault. They claimed jurisdiction confusion and federal complications, anything to avoid arresting their colleague.
The stalling tactics revealed a department more interested in protecting corrupt officials than upholding constitutional rights. Even with video evidence and witness testimony, they refused to act while Booth taunted the victim from across the street.
What Happens Next Remains Hidden
The full scope of Catahoula Parish's corruption may never be known through official channels. Records requests are denied, investigations stalled, and families left without answers about their loved ones' deaths.
Watch the complete investigation to see how deep the corruption runs and whether anyone will finally be held accountable.
