By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Two men involved in a shootout with State Police during an undercover drug investigation at a LaPlace public housing complex last year have agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors in exchange for testimony against a third man.

The investigation, which took place in August 2009, was a joint operation between State Police and the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office at the LaPlace Oaks Housing Complex.

According to court documents, Neon Narcisse, 21, of LaPlace, pleaded guilty on Nov. 15 to principal to armed robbery with a firearm. He will serve 15 years in prison without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

In exchange for that sentence, he has agreed to testify that Carnell Randle, 31, of LaPlace, was the shooter during the incident.

Meanwhile, Derrick Dennis, 27, of Reserve, also pleaded guilty Nov. 15 to attempted distribution of cocaine. Court documents said Dennis was placed on probation for three years and nine months after being given credit for time served.

Dennis admitted to prosecutors he was the lookout for the drug transaction and agreed to testify that Narcisse and Randle were the other participants in the incident.

The shootout began as a routine drug transaction that quickly turned violent. According to a release from State Police Troop B, four men approached an undercover trooper sitting in a vehicle in front of 147 Joe Parquet Circle. During a brief conversation, one of the suspects brandished a handgun and pointed it at the trooper while another suspect, later identified as Narcisse, punched the trooper in the face and tried to rob him.

During a struggle with the suspects, the trooper was able to draw his weapon and fire several shots at the armed suspects hitting two of the men. Jeremiah Randle, 20, of LaPlace was killed in the shooting, while Dennis was treated for a gunshot wound to the buttocks. Narcisse and Carnell Randle fled the scene and were not injured.

Carnell Randle was booked with armed robbery, distribution of a controlled substance and attempted first-degree murder.