Bogalusa mayor Tyrin Truong arrested, accused of involvement in narcotics, guns and prostitutes
BOGALUSA, La. (WVUE) - Bogalusa mayor Tyrin Truong has been arrested for allegedly soliciting prostitutes and purchasing illegal drugs, Washington Parish and Louisiana State Police authorities said Tuesday (Jan. 7).
Truong additionally was booked into the Washington Parish jail for unauthorized use of a moveable, a legal term in Louisiana that refers to intentionally taking or using someone’s personal property without their consent.
Louisiana State Police said in a statement that the investigation that ensnared Truong and several others was conducted over several months. During the arrests of the mayor and several other suspects involved, state police said they seized opioids, high-grade marijuana, THC and MDMA.
State police also say the suspects were using funds from drug sales to purchase firearms. They’re also accused of using social media to facilitate purchases.
Additional suspects include:
24-year-old MacKenzie Lynn Cefalu of Bogalusa
- Transactions Involving Proceeds from Drug Offenses
- Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule I CDS
24-year-old De-Saleem Wali Pittman of Bogalusa
- Transactions Involving Proceeds from Drug Offenses
- Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule I CDS
- Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
22-year-old Dirul S. Pittman of Bogalusa
- Transactions Involving Proceeds from Drug Offenses
26-year-old Salehal-Dien Malike Pittman of Bogalusa
- Transactions Involving Proceeds from Drug Offenses
51-year-old Tonya Renee Stage of Bogalusa
- Transactions Involving Proceeds from Drug Offenses
- Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule I CDS
28-year-old Devan Michael Williams of Bogalusa
- Transactions Involving Proceeds from Drug Offenses
- Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule I CDS
Collin Sims, the district attorney for Washington and St. Tammany parishes, said at a Bogalusa City Council meeting Tuesday night that the mayor and others arrested Tuesday morning were only “seven of 20″ expected to be arrested in the case.
“There was a large drug-trafficking organization that had been operating in this area,” Sims said. “Today, seven of 20 were arrested. There will be more arrests, probably before this evening is out, and well into the next couple of days.”
Truong became the youngest mayor in Louisiana -- and one of the youngest ever in the country -- when he defeated two-term incumbent Wendy Perrette in 2022 at the age of 23. Truong ran partly on a platform critical of the city’s police department and even suggested it could be disbanded and replaced by the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Truong’s mother told Fox 8 that she believes the accusations against her son are “bogus.” Several citizens who attended the council meeting Tuesday also expressed anger.
“I am not here to comment about any one individual or the evidence or anything regarding anyone individually,” Sims said at the meeting. “It’s one of 20. ... My job as the DA is to prosecute based upon evidence. Evidence alone. I don’t care who it is. Does not matter.
“I know several of you are upset. You have the right to be upset. You deserve better than this.”
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said, “We have zero tolerance for wrongdoing, especially from public officials. I’m very proud of all of our law enforcement agencies who worked on this investigation.”
Truong’s bond was set Tuesday afternoon at $150,000. He bonded out of jail Tuesday evening, greeted by a small crowd of cheering relatives and supporters.
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