Eno Lirette
February 12, 2007Broadcasters enjoy a boon market in Tri-parishes
February 14, 2007
An investigation into a possible prostitution ring in Phoenix, Ariz., resulted in the arrest of Freddy Lee Welch, who had an outstanding felony warrant for first-degree murder, aggravated burglary and attempted first-degree murder, in connection to the June 9, 2006, shooting of Kenneth Garner and a 1-year-old female child in Houma.
The shooting took place at 303 Prince Collins St. in Houma. Garner died two weeks later, and the child was treated and released from the hospital.
Houma Police Dept. spokesman Lt. Todd Duplantis said officers from the Maryvale Precinct were called in reference to the possible prostitution ring. “When they got there to make the arrests, he’s involved in it,” said Duplantis. “Our main concern is the murder and aggravated burglary charges that we have on him.”
Duplantis said Welch will be extradited back to Louisiana and taken to trial. “He’s got to go to court,” the spokesman said. “He’s going to be extradited back down here. We’re going to go get him, and he’s going to have to go to trial.”
The prostitution investigation stemmed from two females not paying a bill in an area restaurant. Officers found in a follow-up investigation that one of the females was a 17-year-old that was brought to Phoenix from Houston for the purpose of prostitution.
Welch was one of three suspects in the Prince Collins’ shooting.
On July 17, 2006, another suspect, Rodney Castle turned himself in to Houma Police and was charged with aggravated burglary, first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
On Aug. 27, 2006, Cory Stovall, the third suspect, was shot and killed in Houston, Texas.
Duplantis said authorities don’t yet have a timetable as to when Welch will go to trial.
