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Louisiana Man Arrested Again for Alleged Arson Related to Government Property

LaPlace, Louisiana – A Louisiana man has been arrested and charged with simple arson and unauthorized carrying of weapons in Louisiana after allegedly setting fire to a trash dumpster near a government building.

On December 27, 2022, the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that Martrell LaShawn Tuco, 37, of LaPlace, Louisiana, was arrested on December 25, 2022, after allegedly setting fire to a trash dumpster near the St. John Parish 911 Communications Building in LaPlace.

On December 24, 2022, around 5 a.m., deputies were patrolling the parish government complex on West Airline Highway in LaPlace when they noticed a garbage container on fire about 50 yards from the entrance of the St. John 911 Communications Building. The St. John Parish Fire Department arrived shortly after to extinguish the fire. No one was hurt.

Officers reviewing surveillance footage in the area noticed a male figure, later identified as Tuco, walking in the rear parking lot of the building toward the dumpster, lighting something near the dumpster, and then walking away into a neighboring field. Shortly later, flames erupted from the dumpster’s innards.
Officers identified Tuco as the suspect following an inquiry. Detectives secured a warrant for Tuco’s arrest based on their findings. Officers apprehended Tuco and reportedly recovered brass knuckles inside a pant pocket.

Tuco was charged with simple arson – uninhabited dwelling; unauthorized carrying of weapons. Tuco is being kept in jail in lieu of a $3,000 bond issued by Judge Vercell Fiffie.

Tuco was detained in September after allegedly hurling rocks, shattering the window of a police unit at the Percy Hebert Building parking lot in LaPlace, and setting fire to a nearby store. He was charged with simple criminal property damage and aggravated arson – occupied home.

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