LOUISIANA STATE POLICE
COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE
Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent
TROOP C- NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Date: July 17, 2009
Louisiana State Police and DPS Police Investigate Fraudulent Sales of MVI Stickers Houma- In May 2009, Louisiana State Police Detectives and DPS Police began an investigation regarding Motor Vehicle Inspection (MVI) stickers being fraudulently sold from an inspection station in Houma, and resold in the New Orleans metropolitan area for $30 to $40 each.
Speedy Auto Detailing (7518 Main Street, Houma, LA, 70360), owned and operated by Charles Shields (B/M, 50, of Houma), was fraudulently selling numerous MVI stickers to Alphonse Haston (B/M, 43, of New Orleans, LA) for approximately $10 each. Haston was fraudulently re-selling the stickers in a vacant parking lot next to his place of employment in River Ridge.
After conducting surveillance of Haston on June 4, 2009, LSP detectives witnessed a hand-to-hand transaction of 50 MVI stickers for $1000 ($20 each). Haston was immediately arrested, and the $1000 cash and 50 MVI stickers, along with five more stickers located in the vehicle, were seized. Haston was charged with LRS 32:1307 Improper Representation as Official Station, 14:112 False Personation, and 14:132 Injuring Public Records.
DPS Police conducted an in-depth audit of Speedy Auto Detailing’s MVI inspection log books, and discovered that between May 6, 2009 and June 4, 2009, a total of 325 MVI stickers were unaccounted for. The 55 MVI stickers seized from Haston were included in the 325 that were unaccounted for in the log books.
LSP detectives obtained a warrant in Terrebonne Parish for Charles Shields for LRS 14:134 Malfeasance in Office and 14:133 Failing & Maintaining False Public Records. Shields surrendered to LSP detectives on the morning of July 17, 2009. He was arrested, booked and jailed at the Terrebonne Parish Jail.
Illegal operation of Official MVI Inspection Stations will not be tolerated, and any information on illegal activity regarding MVI Inspection Stations are asked to contact Louisiana State Police Troop C and speak to DPS Officer John Waguespack at 985-857-3680
Contact Information:
TFC Gilbert Dardar Jr.
Public Information Officer
Louisiana State Police - Troop C
Office: (985) 857-3683
Cell: (985) 855-0241
Gilbert.Dardar@dps.la.gov
WWW.LSP.ORG
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