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On May 15, 2023, Benjamin Evans of 17505 Joe Sevario Rd. Prairieville, LA., age 19, pled guilty to Manslaughter. Evans was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Craig Stewart, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Steven Turea. This guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors in connection with the 2020 stabbing death of 39-year-old Nathaniel Meleod Sr.

On October 5, 2020, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an area trailer park in reference to a stabbing. Upon arrival deputies located Nathaniel Meleod Sr. lying on the ground near the steps of a mobile home suffering from multiple stab wounds to his body. Meleod was ultimately pronounced deceased on scene. Detectives responded and took over the investigation. During a witness interview, detectives learned that Meleod Sr. was involved in a physical altercation inside of the residence with a male subject identified as Benjamin Evans. Evans was seen grabbing a knife and stabbing Meleod Sr. Multiple times before fleeing the residence. Detectives located and made contact with Benjamin Evans at a nearby residence which he resided. During the execution of a search warrant at the residence which Evans was located, detectives located a bag containing clothing, bloody garden gloves, and a knife consistent with the description of the knife provided by a witness. A verified complaint was submitted to the on call judge at the time of the incident requesting a warrant of arrest for Benjamin Evans who was 17 years of age at the time on the charge of 2^nd Degree Murder. Evans was subsequently arrested and charged as a juvenile. Evans was transported to the St. Bernard Parish Juvenile Detention Center where it was ordered he be placed in detention. Evans was subsequently indicted by an Ascension Parish Grand Jury on the charge of 2^nd Degree Murder and this matter was transferred to District Court where Evans was prosecuted as an adult offender.

 Upon entering a guilty plea to the above-mentioned charge, pursuant to the plea agreement with prosecutors, Banjamin Evans was sentenced to 20 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.

 Submitted by Public Information Officer Tyler Cavalier for 23^rd Judicial District Attorney Ricky L. Babin.