Collin Sims DA

06/01/2026

Operation Clear Horizon demonstrates what can be accomplished when federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies work together to disrupt drug trafficking organizations that threaten our communities.

“Drug trafficking destroys lives, fuels violence, and threatens the safety of our communities. We remain committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute those responsible for bringing these dangerous substances into our communities.” - District Attorney Collin Sims

Read more of the DEA press release: https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2026/05/25/joint-task-force-dismantles-drug-trafficking-network-operation-clear

05/29/2026

GUILTY: Slidell Man Convicted on 9 Weapons Counts & Felony Drug Charges

A St. Tammany Parish jury has found 52-year-old Earl James Lingo of Slidell guilty on multiple felony weapons and drug convictions, following a trial before Judge Alan M. Black.

During the August 2, 2023 operation, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office Narcotics detectives uncovered a massive cache of shotguns, rifles, and handguns scattered alongside methamphetamine, psilocybin, and suboxone. Despite trying to deny knowledge of the contraband on the witness stand, the jury saw straight through the fabrications.

Lingo was convicted of 9 counts of illegal possession of a weapon while in possession of a CDS (methamphetamine), along with multiple felony drug possession counts. He has been remanded to the custody of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office without bond. Sentencing is set for June 15, 2026.

"When you flood a home with high-powered weapons and illicit, mind-altering narcotics, you create an incredibly dangerous environment for our communities and our responding law enforcement officers," said District Attorney J. Collin Sims.

Read the full press release in the link below.

District Attorney J. Collin Sims reports that on May 28, 2026, a St. Tammany Parish jury found 52-year-old Earl James Lingo of Slidell, Louisiana, guilty on multiple felony drug and firearm convictions. Following a trial presided over by the Honorable Judge Alan M. Black, Lingo was officially convic...

05/28/2026

CONVICTED: Franklinton S*x Offender Found Guilty of Evasion

A Washington Parish jury has found 37-year-old Glenn Everitt Burton guilty as charged for failing to comply with his legal s*x offender registration requirements.

Burton, a classified Tier 1 s*x offender, had been completely non-compliant for over nine months, ignoring the very laws designed to keep our neighborhoods safe. Sentencing is set for June 15, 2026.

During closing arguments, Assistant District Attorneys Kristen Landrieu and LeAnne Malnar reminded the jury that accountability is vital to public safety:

"Is it possible for a computer to crash or an officer to make a mistake? Absolutely," ADA Landrieu told the jury. "But is it reasonable for those two things to happen for a year and a half? No. Anything can be theoretically possible, but you, as jurors, have to decide what is reasonable."

"To say not guilty, you are saying every s*x offender can ignore the law and duty to ensure the safety and welfare of our community," ADA Malnar stated. "To say guilty, you're holding every single one of them accountable, especially Glenn Burton."

DA Collin Sims remains committed to keeping our community secure: "Our s*x offender registration laws exist for a singular, vital purpose: protecting the families and children of our communities... We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who ignore their legal obligations."

Thank you to the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office for their diligent work on this investigation.

Read the full press release on our website at the link below.

District Attorney J. Collin Sims announces that today, a Washington Parish jury found 37-year-old Glenn Everitt Burton of Franklinton, Louisiana, guilty as charged of one count of Failure to Comply with S*x Offender Registration Requirements. The trial was held before the Honorable Judge Alan A. Zau...

05/28/2026

JUSTICE SERVED: Career Felon Convicted After Leaving Crashed Vehicle in Interstate Travel Lane, Endangering Lives at 3 A.M.

DA Collin Sims announces that a St. Tammany Parish jury has found 43-year-old Christopher Henry Verzwyvelt of Covington guilty of Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway of Commerce. Following the verdict, Judge Tara Farris Zeller also found him guilty of Reckless Operation, Driving Under Suspension, and Hit and Run Driving.

On June 15, 2025, Verzwyvelt crashed his vehicle into an interstate guardrail and abandoned it directly in the left travel lane of I-10 Eastbound, facing oncoming traffic in total darkness. The hazardous positioning nearly caused multiple catastrophic secondary crashes, including an off-duty Slidell Police Department officer who narrowly missed the vehicle.

Verzwyvelt, a career felon with an extensive 25-year criminal history involving narcotics, burglary, theft of a firearm, and prior DWIs, now faces sentencing on June 12, 2026.

"You heard on a jail call that he did not think leaving his car in the middle of the road was a big deal," ADA Taylor Nicholson stated during closing arguments. "By him leaving that car in the road at 3 a.m., he endangered human life."

DA Sims commends the excellent teamwork of the Louisiana State Police and the Slidell Police Department for preventing a major tragedy.

Read the full press release in the link below.

Defendant left vehicle facing oncoming traffic in the dark, nearly causing subsequent crashes District Attorney Collin Sims announced today that a St. Tammany Parish jury has found 43-year-old Christopher Henry Verzwyvelt of Covington, Louisiana, guilty of Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway of Comm...

05/22/2026

JURY CONVICTS COVINGTON MAN: Today, a St. Tammany Parish jury found John Silas Joiner, Jr., 46, guilty on 15 counts of narcotics, weapons, flight, and resisting arrest charges. Following a four-day trial, the unanimous verdict means Joiner - a convicted felon who was on state parole at the time of these offenses - now faces a mandatory life sentence.

The conviction stems from two separate law enforcement operations in 2023 led by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office (STPSO):

🔹 In January 2023, Joiner actively resisted arrest and fled on foot during a traffic stop. A search of his vehicle uncovered an AR-style 9mm pistol equipped with a 50-round drum magazine, brass knuckles, fentanyl, and co***ne.
🔹 In September 2023, detectives executed a search warrant at a Mandeville residence after intercepting a jail video call. The search uncovered 2,746 counterfeit blue "M30" fentanyl tablets, crystal methamphetamine, and an active clandestine laboratory pill press setup in the garage - all operating in a home where minor children lived.

Joiner's co-defendant, Amanda Flocke, testified for the state during the trial. Flocke previously pleaded guilty on May 8, 2026, and was sentenced to 30 years in the Department of Corrections.

"Today's verdict ensures that a dangerous, repeat offender will no longer be able to flood our streets with lethal poison," said District Attorney Collin Sims. "This defendant not only armed himself while trafficking high volumes of fentanyl and co***ne, but he also operated a clandestine pill press in a home where young children lived. I want to commend the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office for their thorough investigations and ADAs Iain Dover and Christina Fisher for their exceptional work in securing this conviction."

The Honorable Judge Richard Swartz has scheduled Joiner's sentencing for July 8, 2026.

Read the full press release and view the complete breakdown of the 15 conviction counts on our website by clicking the link below.

District Attorney Collin Sims announces that today, a St. Tammany Parish jury found John Silas Joiner, Jr., 46, of Covington, Louisiana, guilty on 15 counts of narcotics, weapons, flight, and resisting arrest charges. The unanimous verdict follows a trial before the Honorable Judge Richard Swartz. J...

05/22/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, all offices of the District Attorney for the 22nd Judicial District will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026. We honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation.

05/20/2026

JURY DELIBERATES JUST THREE MINUTES TO CONVICT SLIDELL CAREER CRIMINAL

DA Collin Sims announces that a St. Tammany Parish jury took only three minutes today to return a guilty verdict against Keith Edward Demoran, 55, of Slidell, for possession of methamphetamine.

The conviction stems from a September 2025 proactive traffic stop by the Slidell Police Department, during which officers discovered methamphetamine concealed in a hard zippered case in Demoran’s clothing, as well as additional narcotics on the driver's seat. Demoran, who has a criminal history spanning more than two decades of fi****ms and narcotics convictions, now faces sentencing on June 10, 2026.

"The swiftness of this jury's verdict speaks volumes," said District Attorney Collin Sims. "Our community has zero tolerance for repeat offenders who continually bring dangerous, illicit drugs into our neighborhoods."

DA Sims commends Assistant District Attorneys Shelby Stoop and Tiffany Dover for their successful prosecution, and the Slidell Police Department for their diligent, proactive work in keeping our streets safe.

Read the full press release in the link below.

District Attorney Collin Sims announces that today, a St. Tammany Parish jury deliberated for just three minutes before returning a guilty verdict against Keith Edward Demoran, 55, of Slidell, Louisiana, for possession of methamphetamine. Assistant District Attorneys Shelby Stoop and Tiffany Dover p...

05/20/2026

Hope House Receives 2026 Children’s Law Award

Assistant District Attorney Zachary Popovich attended the 2026 Pro Bono and Children’s Law Awards Ceremony in New Orleans alongside Children’s Advocacy Center - Hope House Executive Director Thomas Mitchell and Board President Rebecca Henderson, as Hope House was honored with the Children’s Law Award. Also in attendance was newly elected Judge Billy Burris with the Louisiana Supreme Court.

DA Sims congratulates Thomas Mitchell and the entire Hope House team for their exceptional work serving child victims and families throughout St. Tammany and Washington Parishes.

“Hope House plays a critical role in protecting children, supporting families, and strengthening the pursuit of justice for victims,” said DA Collin Sims. “We are grateful for our continued partnership and commend their team for this well-deserved recognition.”

Members of the Office of the District Attorney for the 22nd Judicial District, including ADA Popovich, work closely with Hope House through a multidisciplinary approach focused on advocacy, healing, and justice for children in our community.

05/19/2026

Thank you to Representative Kim Carver for meeting with me at the Capitol to discuss priorities impacting St. Tammany Parish and the continued partnership in serving our community.

St. Tammany Parish funding for the District Attorney’s Criminal Department is being cut 60% by the Parish. A 30% reduction in parish funding from St. Tammany started January 1, 2026 = 1.86 million dollars and another 1.86 million is expected to be cut by the Parish beginning January 1, 2027. The entire judicial system is expecting a 60 % reduction in parish funding as well.

05/14/2026

Thank you to the Northshore Business Council for the opportunity to speak last week at your meeting and share how the Office of the District Attorney in the 22nd Judicial District serves St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. We appreciate the opportunity to connect with local leaders and discuss the work being done every day to strengthen our community.