By JIM BUTLER
News leftovers from a holiday week:
Pearson sentencing delay
Sentencing of grifter Jerry “Jay” Pearson, initially set for December 3, is not on the federal court docket posted before the Thanksgiving break.
Pearson, of Boyce, pleaded guilty in August to one count of wire fraud, accused of bilking investors in a Self-Directed IRA scheme of $3.4 million.
Terms of plea bargaining involved in his decision, if any, were not announced. Penalty for the crime is up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 fine. Dee Drell is the judge
Road work discussion
A Police Jury committee will discuss today a proposed intergovernmental agreement with DOTD for federal and state matching-funded England Airpark roadway improvements.
A resolution by Danny Bordelon to approve the pact was not heard at November’s full jury session because there was no second.
What the hesitation might have been was never noted.
The matter was added to the Public Works, Watershed, Agricultural Affairs & Legal Committee at request of Jay Scott.
Boyce pay change
Minutes of a November 14 meeting reflect the Boyce Town Council has raised Mayor Kelvin McCoy’s pay and that of Town Clerk Shawanda Tompkins.
The minutes do not reflect specify pay or new pay levels. Most agencies’ minutes do not reflect such mundane details.
Council member Lucretia McCoy Price was absent from the session.
Sex offenders search
The Sheriff’s Office request for public assistance in tracking sex offenders who had allegedly failed to renew registration in the parish yielded immediate results.
Two alleged offenders were booked shortly after last week’s appeal.
Sex offenders are required to register and to renew as well as inform authorities of change of address.
General Fund balance up
The City of Alexandria’s audit report for the most-recent fiscal year shows total revenues of $231.8 million and expenses of $197.6 million.
The revenue figure includes all proprietary funds, Utility being the most significant, and grant receipts.
The audit reflects a $12 million increase in the year-end General Fund balance.
Back in public eye
Authorities have yet to release details regarding Jordan Melbert’s arrest last week on armed robbery and other charges.
Booked November 26, he remains in lockup with bail set at $51,000.
Melbert, 20, of Alexandria first came to general public attention as a missing person five years ago. He was found shortly after a search advisory was issued.
Two years ago, Melbert, then 18, was accused of illegal possession of a stolen firearm.