St. Martin Parish Seeks Restoration of Spoil Banks After Guillory Indictment

Officials say removal of levees poses flood risk, as civil case against Lafayette Consolidated Government continues.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Former Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory was recently indicted and arrested in connection with the alleged secret removal of spoil banks along the Vermilion River in 2022. Officials in St. Martin Parish say they are also moving forward with a civil case to restore the banks and protect residents from potential flooding.

Why it matters

The loss of the six- to seven-foot levee continues to pose a significant flood risk to area residents in St. Martin Parish. The parish is seeking the full restoration of the riverbanks through an ongoing civil case against Lafayette Consolidated Government, with the main goal of returning the levee to its original condition.

The details

The indictment alleges that Guillory, acting as a public officer, removed the spoil banks without obtaining permits from the United States Army Corps of Engineers or the St. Martin Parish floodplain administrator. A 2025 audit by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor found that the removal violated local, state, and federal laws. St. Martin Parish President Pete Delcambre said the loss of the levee continues to pose a significant flood risk to area residents.

  • In 2022, the spoil banks were removed while Guillory was in office as Lafayette Mayor-President.
  • In 2025, a Louisiana Legislative Auditor audit found that the removal of the spoil banks violated local, state, and federal laws.
  • In 2026, Guillory was recently indicted and arrested in connection with the alleged secret removal of the spoil banks.

The players

Josh Guillory

Former Lafayette Mayor-President who was recently indicted and arrested in connection with the alleged secret removal of spoil banks along the Vermilion River.

Pete Delcambre

St. Martin Parish President who said the loss of the six- to seven-foot levee continues to pose a significant flood risk to area residents.

Chris Tauzin

St. Martin Parish Councilman who announced the parish is still pursuing a civil case against Lafayette Consolidated Government and working to restore the spoiled banks to their original state.

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What they’re saying

“With this six- to seven-foot levee taken out, when conditions occur, the inundation of all of this additional water coming into St. Martin Parish is going to have detrimental and catastrophic effects.”

— Pete Delcambre, St. Martin Parish President (KLFY)

“St. Martin Parish wants the citizens to know that we are still pursuing the civil case against LCG and working on restoring the spoiled banks back to their original state before they were removed in the middle of the night and placed on the Lafayette Parish side and we command Sheriff Breaux and District Attorney Mike Haik for their efforts to protecting our citizens and making sure that those who break our laws are held responsible.”

— Chris Tauzin, St. Martin Parish Councilman (KLFY)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Josh Guillory out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of proper permitting and oversight when it comes to infrastructure projects that can impact flood risk and public safety. It also underscores the need for cooperation and respect between neighboring communities, even when legal disputes arise.