Newton County Sheriff Report
March 4, 2024
By Sheriff Robert Burby
At approximately 10:12 a.m., March 1, 2024, Newton County Transport Deputy notified the dispatcher that an inmate who was being transported to the Jasper Memorial Hospital jumped out of the transport vehicle on Hwy 190 East near the Goodman Prison Unit east of Jasper. She fled on foot into a wooded area.
She was identified as Shana Lynn McCarver Pilant. All Law Enforcement Agencies (i.e., Newton County S.O., Jasper PD, Jasper SO, DPS, and the Goodman Unit) were notified. A quick response for all the beforementioned units hit the ground and established a perimeter and K9 Units were requested from Newton County S.O., Vernon Parish S.O., and the Woodville Prison Unit.
At approximately 10:51 a.m. a Jasper Deputy observed Pilant on foot near a house across the street from the Goodman Prison Unit. Pilant resisted and fought with the Officers who responded to assist. The prisoner was subdued and placed back into custody.
Preliminary investigations on the scene revealed that Pilant was able to roll down the back window of the transport unit and get out of the moving vehicle. The Deputy had to slow down, stop the vehicle, and pull off to the side of the roadway. By then Pilant had fled on foot into
the wooded area. When Pilant was subsequently taken back into custody she had shed her prison uniform and was wearing black pants and shirt. We discovered that she went into two nearby residences, stole clothing, and was able to get free from the handcuffs.
Pilant is now facing additional charges from Jasper and Newton Counties of escape and burglary of a habitation. Pilant was taken to the Jasper Memorial Hospital for medical clearance. She was later cleared for incarceration and is now back in custody in the Newton
County Jail.
We want to thank all the law enforcement Officers and Dispatchers from both counties whose quick response resulted in the apprehension of this suspect.
Calls To Service (February 26, 2024, to March 3, 2024): The Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) answered 57 calls to service.
Jail Transports:
NCSO had 7 jail transports. 2 from NCSO to Dr Appointments, 2 from NCSO to JCSO, 1 from NCSO to Jefferson Co, 1 from NCSO to JMH, 1 from Beauregard to NCSO.
Jail Population:
We currently have 28 inmates in the following jails.
13 housed in Newton, 9 housed in Beauregard, and 6 housed in Jasper.
The following individuals were booked into the County Jail:
Morris, Theron Roydale 02/26/24 MA Assault Causes Bodily Inj
Stephenson, Josef Raleigh 02/28/24 F3 Assault Fam/House Mem Impede Breath Circulation MA Interfere w/ Emergency Req for Assist
Broussard, Rodney 02/29/24 F3 Evading Arrest w/ Veh
The following calls and reports were received by NCSO:
Jasper: Inmate escaped from custody by jumping through window of a moving vehicle (Capture shorty later). Great work by all responding Law Enforcement Agencies.
Bon Wier: Bon Wier, Animal Nuisance, Trespassing, Disturbance
Deweyville: Disturbance x 2, Officer Assist x 4, Alarm x 5, Theft, Welfare Concern, Deadly Conduct, Traffic Hazard
Newton (Unincorporated Limits): Mental Health, Officer Assist x 2, Escape (Jasper County), Burglary, Disturbance, Noise Complaint, Animal Nuisance
Burkeville: Welfare Concern, Suspicious Activity, Officer Assist, Theft
Call: Theft, Unauth Use of Veh
Toledo Bend: Burglary, Found Property, Suspicious Activity
Sandjack: Extra Patrol
Old Salem: Fraud, Extra Patrol, Suspicious Activity
Liberty: Officer Assist
Trout Creek: Animal Bite, Disturbance, Civil Disturbance
Buckhorn: Officer Assist
Jamestown: Civil Matter
Wiergate: Disturbance, Follow Up
Pine Grove: Control Burn, Officer Assist x 2, Aimal Nuisance
Farrsville: Reckless Driving
Scrapping Valley: Mental Health
Kirbyville: Officer Assist
Devil’s Pocket: Animal Nuisance
Gist: Dog Bite
