FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 27, 2025

One Parish, One Purpose:

OPDA Leads with Justice, Healing, and Community Impact

On Friday, March 21, 2025, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office hosted an onsite blood drive, transforming the Grand Jury room into a space of hope, healing, and service.

This initiative gave OPDA team members the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and support a cause far greater than any one individual. Beyond their pursuit of justice in the courtroom, the OPDA team continues to serve the community—this time by giving the gift of life.

The blood drive stands as a reflection of the office’s resounding commitment to public service and community healing, especially in the aftermath of the tragic terrorist attack on Bourbon Street that claimed the lives of beloved friends and neighbors. Through efforts like this, OPDA honors their memory and reaffirms its promise to protect and uplift the people of Orleans Parish.

Thanks to the overwhelming response from staff—many of whom took time between court appearances to participate—the office was able to collect enough blood to potentially save up to 80 lives. Special thanks to The Blood Center for accommodating this important initiative and making it possible.

Saturday, March 22, 2025, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office—through its New Orleans Data-Informed Community Engagement Initiative (NODICE)—proudly partnered with the NOLA Coalition, Ubuntu Village, and the NORD Commission to host a community event focused on recruiting players and coaches for NORD’s upcoming 2025 baseball season.

The event brought out an enthusiastic crowd of community leaders, families, and neighbors—all coming together in support of youth engagement and meaningful recreational opportunities. It was a true celebration of unity, collaboration, and community spirit.

Sincere thanks to the many resource partners who were present to serve and support our residents. Their contributions added real value to the event and to those in attendance. This gathering was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we work together to build a stronger, safer New Orleans.

Vendor & Resource Tables Included:

• ABC Spacewalk

• VOTE

• JOB1

• Total Community Action (TCA)

• Mobile Crisis Intervention Unit (MCIU)

• Formerly Incarcerated Transitions (FIT) Clinic

• Healthy Community Services

• Office of Workforce Development

• 7th Ward Neighborhood Association

• Dillard University Baseball Team

• Office of Councilmember Eugene Green

Honorable Mentions:

• Tyrone Hughes, NFL Hall of Famer

• Dr. Dwight McKenna, Hardin Park Native

OPDA continues to make powerful strides in its mission to protect and uplift the most vulnerable members of our community through its specialized prosecution units—the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) and the Special Victims Unit (SVU). On Friday, March 21, 2025, both units announced major convictions in two separate and deeply disturbing cases of sexual violence. These hard-won verdicts not only underscore the office’s dedication to justice but also reflect its relentless pursuit of accountability for those who commit crimes against women and children.

1) State v. Jermeil Young (SAKI) was convicted on four counts of first-degree rape.

2) State v. Torey Hobson (SVU) was found guilty of molestation and indecent behavior with a juvenile under 13.

The team was led by SVU Chief Michelle Jones and SAKI Assistant District Attorney Penny Kissinger, who all worked tirelessly to secure justice for the survivors.

• Vickie Landry, Victim Witness Advocate
• Ariel White, SAKI Director of Special Projects
• David Benelli, Investigator (State v. Young)
• Trial Assistant Katherine Kruebbe (State v. Young)
• Sydney Houlemard, SVU Director of Special Projects
• Ronnie Puigh, Investigator (State v. Hobson)
• Trial Assistant Daphne Carroll (State v. Hobson)
• Facility Dog, Karissa Justice

The DA’s Office also extended its sincere appreciation to the New Orleans Police Department’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Units, specifically Detective Kimberly Wilson, Sergeant Jesse Roger, and Detective Rajanne-Marie LaVeaux, as well as to Judge Rhonda Goode-Douglas and the jurors who served in both trials.

DA Williams reaffirmed the office’s mission to pursue justice for survivors and to aggressively prosecute those who commit sexual violence.

Orleans Parish Grand Jury Returns Multiple Key Indictments for Violent Offenses

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams, was joined by Chief of the Special Victims Unit (SVU) Michelle Jones and Chief of the Homicide Division Matthew Derbes, together they provided an update to the public on several key indictments handed down by the Orleans Parish Grand Jury during a press conference that was held on Thursday, March 13, 2025, in the Grand Jury Room of the District Attorney’s Office. These indictments reflect the office’s continued commitment to aggressively prosecuting violent offenders and seeking justice for victims and their families.

“These cases involve serious violent offenses that have deeply impacted victims, their families, and our community,” said DA Williams. “I want to commend the members of the Grand Jury for their dedication and the time they devoted to carefully consider complex and often difficult cases. I also want to recognize the tireless efforts of our prosecutors, investigators, and law enforcement partners who worked diligently to present the evidence necessary for these indictments.”

Chief of the Special Victims Unit Michelle Jones and Chief of the Homicide Division Matthew Derbes provided case details, outlining the charges against multiple defendants indicted on murder, armed robbery, rape, and other violent crimes.

Key Indictments Announced

1) State v. Nicholas Miorana Jr., Daniel Miorana, and Darrel Adams

Case Overview: The charges stem from the November 2024 mass shooting at Iberville and Royal in the French Quarter, which resulted in the death of a young woman and serious injuries to three others. Nicholas Miorana was also indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

• Charges: Second-Degree Murder, Attempted Murder, Obstruction of Justice.

2) State v. Jalil Williams

Case Overview: Williams was arrested after his attempted armed robbery of a Cox cable employee led to the victim’s death in December 2024.

• Charges: Second-Degree Murder, Attempted Armed Robbery, Obstruction of Justice, Felon in Possession of a Firearm (2 counts).

3) State v. Erick Garrison

Case Overview: The charges stem from an August 2024 homicide in the 3100 block of St. Roch.

• Charges: Second-Degree Murder, Witness Intimidation, Obstruction of Justice.

4) State v. Dawyonn Anderson

Case Overview: Anderson was arrested for a series of violent offenses spanning from May 2022 through December 2022, culminating in the fatal shooting of a victim found inside a motel on Old Gentilly Road.

• Charges (Victim 1): Second-Degree Murder, First-Degree Feticide, Obstruction of Justice, Stalking, Domestic Abuse Battery (while victim pregnant), Domestic Abuse Battery (while a minor was present, 2 counts), Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Simple Robbery.

• Charges (Victim 2): Domestic Abuse Strangulation, Domestic Abuse Battery (while a minor was present).

5) State v. Michael Brooks

Case Overview: Brooks was apprehended following an extensive search and a joint SWAT operation involving the U.S. Marshals and NOPD. The charges stem from an August 2024 incident.

• Charges: First-Degree Rape, Armed Robbery.

“New Orleans has made public safety gains unlike any other city in the country. We’ve reduced crime across all categories faster than any other city—and, most importantly, we’ve sustained those improvements over two years. That didn’t happen by accident. The people standing beside me, and the teams they lead, have worked tirelessly to deliver for this community. But they’re not done. They remain committed to driving down violent crime even further for the people of New Orleans.

Michelle and Matt have dedicated their careers to confronting the harsh realities of interpersonal, sexual, and gun violence in our community. When the mass shooting incident happened in the French Quarter, I know there were some thinking that case got more attention because it occurred in a tourist destination. It is important for us all to understand that the victim in that case is a local woman. The chefs and hospitality professionals who lost their shifts because that restaurant was closed for a number of days were local people. They may not live in the French Quarter, but they’re impacted by the violence that occurred in the heart of the city. And I just want to make it perfectly clear that violence in any part of this city, whether it’s in a home, whether it’s in a bedroom, whether it’s in a street, impacts us all and it will not be tolerated.”

Tel: 504.822.2414

Email: communications@orleansda.com