New Orleans, LA - U.S. Marshals New Orleans Task Force arrested fugitive sex offender, Jeremiah Shawn Prater (31 years of age) at a residence in the 1100 block of South Salcedo St. New Orleans, Louisiana on the morning of Nov. 14, 2019. A handgun and small amount of white powdery substance believed to be illegal narcotics were recovered and seized during his arrest. Two other males were also arrested at the residence.
William Michael Blade (24 years old), who was on active LA Probation for a Simple Burglary conviction, was arrested during the arrest of Prater on a LA Probation Violations warrant issued on Nov. 07, 2019. A stolen.223 cal rifle was recently recovered from Blade’s residence on November 05th 2019, in the 2400 block of Josephine St. New Orleans during a LA Probation and Parole routine check. Blade was not at the Josephine residence at that time but based on the stolen rifle being located at his residence he was in violation of his probation.
Meltron Endeshia Hooks (27 years old) was also arrested at the 1100 block of South Salcedo address and it was determined that he was the lessee of the residence. Hooks was wanted by the New Orleans Police Department on a warrant for Violation of a Protection Order and several local attachments for Battery and other offenses.
Prater had been wanted on three Orleans Parish felony warrants related to his sex offender registration and LA Probation. He had been a fugitive since November of 2018 and featured during Operation Boo Dat 2019 by Crimestoppers GNO on local New Orleans metro area news outlets. LA State Police obtained a felony Failure to Register as a Sex Offender warrant for him in June of 2019 as his whereabouts had been unknown since November of 2018.
Prater was convicted in Caddo Parish, LA in February of 2017 of Indecent Behavior with Juveniles and law enforcement records indicate that the female victim was 16 years of age with Prater being 27 years of age at the time of the offense. Prater also has a history of domestic battery as well as battery on police and resisting arrest. Prater is listed by law enforcement with “violent tendencies".
Eastern District of Louisiana U.S. Marshal Scott Illing stated, “The critical support from the Crimestoppers GNO tip and our partnerships during Operation Boo Dat with LA State Police, LA Probation and Parole, New Orleans Police Department, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office led to this dangerous sex offender being taken off of the streets and the recovery of a firearm from convicted felons."
U.S. Marshals New Orleans Task Force is currently still committed to looking for fugitive sex offender, Robert Paul Heidel (AKA: “Bobby HAYDEL" W/M, DOB: 08/18/1957-62 years old, 5’05" 135 lbs. Blue Eyes/Brown Hair) Heidel is a Tier 3 Sex Offender convicted in LA in 1988 of Forcible Rape with a Juvenile Victim. Heidel is wanted by LA State Police on a 06/30/2018, Failure to Register (FTR) as a Sex Offender warrant. He was released from LA DOC custody and never reported to the New Orleans Police Department Sex Offender Registration Unit to register as a sex offender Heidel has been known to frequent the French Quarter area of New Orleans as well as St. Claude Ave. He also has prior ties to Tacoma, WA and Macon, GA.
Any information can be provided to the U.S. Marshals Service at (504) 589-6872, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or by submitting a tip using USMS Tips. Crimestoppers GNO may also be contacted with tips at (504) 822-1111..
