GREENSBURG — A Grand Jury in St. Helena Parish indicted two inmates for second degree murder in connection with the April death of another inmate, Rogers B. Vernon, at the St. Helena Parish Jail. According to 21st Judicial District Attorney Scott Perrilloux, Tilman Myles and Brandon Burge are accused of introducing fentanyl into the jail, leading to Vernon’s fatal overdose.
Myles and Burge were both incarcerated at the time of the incident.
On April 19, 2025, the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a medical emergency in the jail and later confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the facility. Despite life-saving measures, Vernon, 40, was pronounced dead at the jail.
After an investigation, which the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office was asked to assist with, an autopsy revealed that Vernon had died from fentanyl, according to officials. Investigators determined that the drug contraband had been brought into the jail by other inmates.
According to the DA’s office, an investigation by the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s Office with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office into how the drug was brought into the facility, led to 11 arrests. Those arrested included 10 inmates and one civilian.
“Fentanyl is an incredibly dangerous drug, and its presence inside correctional facilities puts both inmates and staff at extreme risk. This indictment is a critical step toward holding those responsible accountable for the loss of life that occurred,” said Perrilloux.
The case will move forward in the 21st Judicial District Court in Greensburg.
Original-June 13, 2025
St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s officials report that 10 St. Helena Parish Jail inmates and one other person have been arrested in connection with the death of an inmate that happened in April.
On April 19, St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a medical emergency at the jail that resulted in the death of Rogers B. Vernon, one of the inmates at the jail.
After an investigation, which the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office was asked to assist with, an autopsy revealed that Vernon had died from fentanyl, according to officials. Investigators determined that the drug contraband had been brought into the jail by other inmates.
Those arrested for the incident include:
Brandon Burge
• 2 counts of distribution of Schedule II CDS
• Introduction of contraband
• Second degree murder
Tilman Myles
• 8 counts of distribution of Schedule II CDS
• Introduction of contraband
• Second degree murder
Gregory Bell
• Conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS
• Introduction of contraband
Benjamin Brumfield
• Conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS
• Introduction of contraband
Albert Cecchi
• Conspiracy to distribute SCH II CDS
• Introduction of contraband
Lance Griffith
• Conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS
• Introduction of contraband
David Schmitt
• Conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS
• Introduction of contraband
Frank Solomon
• Conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS
• Introduction of contraband
Gabriel Thomas
• Conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS
• Introduction of contraband
Eric Williams
• Conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS
• Introduction of contraband
Arrested civilian:
Linda Smith
• Conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS
• Introduction of contraband
Additional safety measures have been implemented at the jail to prevent contraband from entering the facility, according to the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s Office.
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