Public Information Officer
Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodeaux
Phone 337-948-6516
Fax 337-407-9458
Press Release: February 1, 2022
******************************************************
ARRESTED
Tranessa Compton, age 30
2020 Old Highway 13
Mamou, LA., 70554
CHARGES:
Access Device Fraud (259 Counts)
Identity Theft (16 Counts)
Contributing to the Delinquency of a
Juvenile (4 Counts)
BOND: $26,000
***************************************************************************************************
According to Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, “On January 3, 2022, the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office received a complaint regarding the financial exploitation of a person with infirmities. The victim is identified as an elderly nursing home resident.”
When the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives spoke with nursing home administration, it was learned that Tranessa Compton worked the same hall where the victim resides and had access to the victim’s room.
Upon further investigation by detectives, it was determined that the victim’s credit card had been stolen and numerous charges had been made to the card since the victim became a resident at the nursing home on November 1, 2021. A total of 259 fraudulent transactions were made between the dates of November 18,, 2021 and December 30, 2021 totaling $18,378.48.
It was also learned by detectives that 16 credit card payments were made using the victim’s bank accounts, totaling $17,451.93, which were also reported as fraudulent. Phone recordings were obtained from the credit card company and Tranessa Compton could be heard identifying herself as the victim. She would supply the victim’s personal information, including credit card number, date of birth and social security number to gain access to the victim’s account. The last recorded call Tranessa Compton made to the credit card company was in regards to the credit card no longer working. When she was advised that the credit card had been cancelled and a new card was being issued, Tranessa Compton attempted to have the stolen card reactivated and supplied her phone number as a contact number for the account’s file.
As video and photographic evidence became available, Tranessa Compton and a male individual could be seen using the stolen credit card on numerous occasions, until the time the credit card was cancelled. On two separate occasions, Tranessa Compton was observed using the stolen credit card while in the presence of juveniles.
When questioned by detectives, Tranessa Compton initially denied any involvement. Tranessa Compton later admitted to using the victim’s card, claiming that the victim gave her the card for the purpose of buying Christmas gifts for her children.
On January 31, 2022, Tranessa Compton was transported to the St. Landry Parish Jail and booked on 259 counts of Access Device Fraud, 16 counts of Identity Theft and 4 counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile.
This investigation is still ongoing at this time.
On behalf of Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, this is Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodeaux. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
