Couple wanted for murder in Monroe, La. captured in Warren County

Published 2:32 pm Monday, August 17, 2020

A couple wanted for murder last week in Monroe, La. was captured in Warren County Sunday evening.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said he and deputies Johnny Beauchamp and Dustin Keyes arrested Jesse James Thomas, 21, and Cassie Makalya Drummond, 21, both of West Monroe, La., about 5:30 p.m. Sunday at a home on Perry Circle. He said the couple was found hiding in a locked bathroom closet at the home.

Pace said Thomas and Drummond face charges of second-degree murder in the shooting death of a man who was shot about noon Friday in Monroe and died Saturday. He said they were being held in the Warren County Jail awaiting return to Louisiana.

Email newsletter signup

Sign up for The Vicksburg Post's free newsletters

Check which newsletters you would like to receive
  • Vicksburg News: Sent daily at 5 am
  • Vicksburg Sports: Sent daily at 10 am
  • Vicksburg Living: Sent on 15th of each month

He said information from the Monroe Police Department indicated one of the suspects had relatives in the Floweree Road area, which led to the arrest of Thomas and Drummond.

When the couple was arrested, the sheriff said, deputies found a backpack containing narcotics and a 9mm handgun believed to be the murder weapon.

“We will file charges against them at a later date for the narcotics,” Pace said. “We recovered Ecstasy, Xanax, edible marijuana products, CDD oil (cannabis oil) and what we believe to be heroin. All of this will be sent to the (Mississippi) State Crime Lab. Monroe will have them first for the murder charges.”

He said family members were at the home at the time of the arrest but no charges were filed, and the case has been referred to the 9th Circuit District Attorney’s office.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

email author More by John