Detectives Uncover Identity Theft Operation in Lake Charles, Two Suspects Charged

By Calcasieu Staff
Published February 27, 2024

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Lake Charles, Louisiana – From August 2023 to January 2024, detectives from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Financial Crimes Unit focused on investigating multiple incidents involving alleged bank fraud, forgery, and identity theft. These crimes were linked to stolen mail.

In a follow-up inquiry on February 23, detectives, with the help of CPSO ACT-Team and Special Operations Group, carried out a search warrant at a residence on Cedar Street in Lake Charles, Louisiana related to the ongoing cases. Two residents, Allen W. Woodard, 43, and Courtney P. Lebleu, 31, were found hiding inside the home during the search. Detectives discovered a large number of identification cards, social security cards, debit and credit cards, checks, and mail in the residence.

Woodard was taken into custody and brought to the Calcasieu Correctional Center for theft between $1,000 and $5,000, forgery, and bank fraud charges related to one of the cases. Judge Tony Fazzio set his bail at $75,000. Woodard also had multiple warrants issued by CPSO, Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, DeQuincy Police Department, and 14th JDC. Lebleu was arrested on warrants issued by CPSO, Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, and for contempt of court.

The investigations are ongoing, with the potential for further arrests and charges.

Detective Shelli Fontenot from CPSO is in charge of investigating these cases.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.