Bradford Ottolee Forrest, 33, of Franklinton, was arrested on March 16, 2025, after facing a series of serious charges, including felony criminal damage, four counts of simple burglary, unlawful production or possession of peace officer badges, and various drug offenses. Forrest was also charged with theft between $1,000 and $5,000, third-offense possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of Schedule II drugs, resisting an officer, and contempt of court.
The investigation began on February 16, 2025, when Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office (WPSO) deputies were called to a residence on Deforest Drive regarding stolen property. Deputies discovered that the theft was part of a series of crimes occurring at abandoned homes along the river. During their investigation, deputies came across blue plastic totes that matched the description of previously reported stolen goods. A search warrant was obtained, and upon execution, large amounts of stolen jewelry, household items, stolen copper wiring, and over a gram of methamphetamine were found at the scene.
On March 17, 2025, deputies responded to a disturbance and fire in the woods near Deforest Drive, where they observed Forrest burning the plastic sheathing from copper wiring. When deputies identified themselves, Forrest fled into the woods, but a deputy successfully intercepted his escape route and arrested him.
Forrest was taken into custody and booked into the Washington Parish Jail, where he is being held on a $100,000 bond.
