OFFICAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN TAKEN AT A SPECIAL MEETING

HELD ON MARCH 17, 2026, AT 5:30PM AT THE ARNAUDVILLE MEETING ROOM

107 RUE DE JAUSIERS, ARNAUDVILLE, LA 70512

Present Mayor, Todd Meche

Aldermen Jamie Huval, Ginger LeCompte, Debbie Kidder, John Taylor, Ryan Courville

Town Clerk Brenda Richard

Attorney representing Town of Arnaudville Kay Theunissen

Attorney representing Tiger Touchdown Hanna Rovira

Called to Order Mayor Meche

Prayer Alderman Ryan Courville

Pledge All

Public concerns No concerns at this time

New Business

To consider suspension or revocation of liquor licenses at the following locations.

Tiger touchdown #6

Arnaudville Petroleum/Tiger Deli

Koko bar

Mayor Meche turned the meeting over to Town of Arnaudvilles Council Kay Theunissen. Attorney Theunissen began by saying that she will be presenting as two (2) separate cases because they are two (2) separate entities. One being Arnaudville Petroleum LLC and the other is Koko bar LLC. We will be presenting evidence for Arnaudville Petroleum first. Justice of the Peace/Notary Karen Smith will administer the Oath. It was agreed by all to swear in all witnesses for both proceedings at once instead of separately.

For the record I am Council Kay Theunissen, Town Attorney for the Town of Arnaudville and will be presenting information on behalf of the Town. Council Allison Rovira representing Tiger Touchdown and Koko bar.

Council Theunissen listed witnesses expecting to call. Council Rovira listed her witnesses.

All witnesses rose to be sworn in by Notary Karen Smith.

Council Theunissen called Chief Josh Ross as the first witness. Chief verified his name and place of business address. Chief also verified his position with the Town as acting Chief of Police since January 1, 2022. Chief also explained to all who were present his law enforcement background. Chief explained he is familiar with the premises of Arnaudville Petroleum, LLC. Council Theunissen went on to ask Chief Ross if he executed a search and secure warrant for said property on or about February 3, 2026. Chief Ross responded he did. Chief gave a background as to what led to the warrant saying prior to the warrant there were some patterns of misconduct. Underage sales of alcohol and tobacco on the premises, underage gambling. ATC stepped in and a compliance check was done. ATC noted Kratom was located on the property which is a schedule 1. After a call from the ATC Arnaudville Police stepped in and delivered the search warrant. Kratom was found on the premises in a storage room and behind the sales counter. Approximately 40 lbs. and 240 individual packaged baggies and or capsules. Chief went on to explain what Kratom is and the severity if taken in large amounts. Governor of Louisiana cited it was enough to warrant scheduling Kratom as schedule 1.

Council Theunissen had Chief explain the layout of the premises, with pictures showing all 3 businesses connected with interior doors.

Council Theunissen offered into evidence exhibit 5, which is the exterior photograph of the building. Also Exhibit 7 is the diagram that the Chief referred to as the interior of the building.

Council Theunissen marked as exhibit 1 to be identified as the title search and seizure warrant Chief Ross received from Judge Garcille on that day. Mayor Meche accepted.

Council Theunissen also asked if Chief Ross prepared a return search warrant, which he did. This was entered into evidence as exhibit 2. Mayor Meche accepted. Chief prepared a list of all Kratom found. Which included Blister packs of kratom located outside the storage room and inside the safe which is located behind the sales counter. Search warrant return also showed $3024.00 of US currency which came from the register and safe located in Arnaudville Petroleum/Tiger Touchdown store. Chief went on to describe the building as a compound with interior doors separating the 3 establishments. The deli did not have a cash register; therefore the Deli and Tiger Touchdown appear to be one in the same. An arrest warrant was issued to the cashier who was wanted by immigration and customs. A police report on this matter was created.

Council Theunissen offered the arrest warrant as exhibit 3 into evidence. Mayor Meche accepted.

The amount of Kratom found was determined to be harmful to the community.

Council Theunissen offered into the record exhibit 6, pictures of the Kratom seized. Council then asked the Chief to explain what each page of pictures showed. Mayor Meche accepted.

Floor was turned over to Council Hanna Rovira.

Council Rovira questioned Chief on the interior doors being legal or proper. Does the Fire marshal require for these doors to be unlocked? Indication to the ATC indicated they should have 2 separate businesses with doors to each.

Council Rovira continued asking the Chief if he knew Shakeel and have you ever frequented the store. Chief replied he purchases things in the store often. During the inspection Nishu (cashier) was advised of his rights, but due to the language barrier it would not have been fair to him to hold him to the waiving of his rights. Questioning continued in regard to Shakeel relaying to the Chief the employees were asked to get rid of the Kratom products, which they did not. Once asked by Council Rovira if the Chief was familiar with the POS system and how products are entered when sold. Chief went on to explain products are not always scanned or entered with a price. The register is opened and the transaction is made. No pricing is entered. A copy was handed out by Council Rovira of the POS system for 2025 with the breakdown of categories that are entered. A Kratom category is not listed on the POS list is the argument, although it could have been sold as a different product the Chief claimed.

Council Rovira continued to speak of similar cases from the ATC where owners pulled illegal items off the shelf but have not taken them off the premises. A fine is usually handed down. Chief Ross spoke of the ATC handing down violations if Kratom is found on the premises since it is a schedule 1. In reference to the Town, the Police is to bring the issue before the Council for a decision.

Council Rovira continued to ask about the access Chief Ross had to the store. No one prevented him from going through the store. He was granted access to the camera system to see if illegal substances were sold. ATC had the Arnaudville Police to go out due to an illegal substance on the premises, not because a sale was made of said substance. Chief went on to say he had spoken with Agent Miller several times and Agent Miller is familiar with Mr. Shamudsin and his other stores. No further information was shared. Questions continued from Council Rovira in regard to Mr. Shamudsins other stores. To which Chief would not comment on only for the matter at hand, which is the store in the town of Arnaudville. Chief Ross also answered this was the first time an issue such as this has happened due to the town of Arnaudville being so small.

This ended questions from Council Rovira.

Council Theunissen had a few follow-up questions. Asking Chief Ross to explain a schedule substance. He went on to say schedule means legislature in Louisiana says if it can cause human harm it is a schedule 1. This statue applies to Kratom possession even if it isnt for sale.

Council Theunissen marked as exhibit 13 the notice letter issued by the ATC, a public advisory on Kratom, which was sent to business owners.

Council Theunissen offered into evidence exhibit 12 a fact sheet on Kratom from the DEAs office. Mayor Meche accepted.

No more questions for Chief Ross. Assistant Chief Hildago was called up.

Council Theunissen asked Assistant Chief Hildago to give his name, business address and a brief work history. Council Theunissen asked Assistant Chief Hildago to explain his role in the search and secure of Kratom at Tiger Touchdown. He went on to explain a call came in from Agent Miller that Kratom was found at Tiger Touchdown. Upon arriving at the store, the Kratom was locked in the police unit. The cashier was held while Chief Ross obtained a search warrant. Assistant Chief Hildago went on to explain where the Kratom was found, how much was found and the severity of the Kratom.

Council Theunissen had the Assistant Chief identify the citation for operating without a permit. Exhibit 3a was offered into the record. Mayor Meche accepted.

Council Rovira asked if the Kratom was in a hoarder room if it could have been overlooked from removing it from the premises. Assistant Chief Hildago went on to explain prior investigations where schedule 1 products are entered in the register as something other than a schedule 1. Assistant Chief Hildago explained this is not about the sale of Kratom but about the possession of the product. The conversation continued that revocation of the license is serious. A list of issues regarding this establishment was given by Assistant Chief Hildago.

No further questions were raised to Assistant Chief Hildago.

Council Theunissen February 25, 2026, notice letter to Arnaudville Petroleum, LLC marked as exhibit 8. Also, 8a is the email exchange with Hanna Rovira who agreed to waiver of service with respect to the notice. Mayor Meche accepted. Council Theunissen offered into evidence exhibit 9 Secretary of States public record establishing the ownership of the entity. Mayor Meche accepted. Council Theunissen offered into evidence exhibit 10 various alcohol licenses #29 Retail dealer for Arnaudville Petroleum-Deli, #27 Retail beer and #28 Retail liquor #30 Video Poker for Arnaudville Petroleum-Deli, #26 Package beer #25 Package Liquor & #24 Retail dealer for Tiger Touchdown #6.

Council Theunissen with no further evidence, rested her case.

Council Rovira questioned Mr. Shamudsin. Mr. Shamudsin stated his name and business address. Mr. Shamudsin has been in business for 20 plus years. He went on to explain the various ways in which he orders supplies for his stores. Mr. Shamudsin admitted purchasing items from a van that claimed to be wholesaler, who claimed his products were legal to sell. Mr. Shamudsin went on to say he did not know the Kratom was on the premises and told Chief Ross this. He went on to say Chief had access to cameras with password. Wholesaler advised Mr. Shamudsin to throw away products and his claim is he told his employees to throw them away. He continued to claim the people hanging around were there to get food and they were homeless, along with other things he did for the Community. Changed hours of operation to close earlier. Ordered new software to scan drivers licenses for alcohol and tobacco.

More questions were asked about where money was kept in the store. Never kept money in safe always in bank bag about $2000.00 to $3000.00. Money was loaned out to people in the Community to pay utility bills. Allowed people to sleep in abandoned building he owns on hwy 31. Deposits are being picked up twice a week now and the building was finally cleaned and painted.

Council Theunissen summed up the testimony of Mr. Shamudsin as of August 2025 when the Kratom was deemed illegal, on the numerous times he went to the Tiger Touchdown he never made sure the Kratom was removed from the premises. Mr. Shamudsin took the word of employees that it was removed. He never checked the storage room.

Verification was made as to the Arnaudville Petroleum LLC having 2 DBA. Tiger Touchdown #6 and Tiger Deli

Mayor Meche reiterated the council needs to consider the Revocation or Suspension of the listed establishments.

Alderman Jamie Huval wanted clarification on issues with the selling alcohol to underage persons. Response from Council Rovira was safeguards have been put into place for those issues. Council Rovira requested to offer into evidence exhibit A, the copies of the POS system. Mayor Meche accepted.

Alderwoman Virginia LeCompte motioned to suspend the liquor license at the Tiger Touchdown #6, Tiger Deli and Koko bar. Mayor Meche clarified the motion is only for the Tiger Touchdown #6. The Koko bar will be held next. Mayor Meche asked for clarification on the motion. Suspend or Revocation and for how long. Clarification on the multiple DBAs under the LLC was brought to the attention of the Council. Council Theunissen advised it would apply equally to the Tiger Touchdown #6 and the Tiger Deli since they are under the same LLC. Council Rovira argued these two establishments are separate entities for licensing. After further discussion the Council made a motion.

Alderwoman Virginia LeCompte corrected the motion to include Arnaudville Petroleum and any entity under said name.

Alderman Jamie Huval motioned to consider a 3 months (90 day) suspension of the alcohol licenses for all entities under Arnaudville Petroleum. Which would include Tiger Touchdown #6 and Tiger Deli. Seconded by Alderman John Taylor.

Roll call was taken

Alderman Jamie Huval - Yes

Alderwoman Virginia LeCompte - Yes

Alderman John Taylor - Yes

Alderwoman Debbie Kidder - Yes

Alderman Ryan Courville Yes

Motion passes.

Suspension began at 6:46pm on Tuesday March 24, 2026, would end on June 17, 2026 at opening. For Alcohol only for Tiger Touchdown #6 and Tiger Deli

Mayor Meche brought the next item as Koko Bar.

Council Theunissen called Assistant Chief Steve Hildago. Briefly gave background in law enforcement. The citation for underage gambling to Amanda Bernard at Koko bar and the complaint affidavit was brought up for identification. Council Theunissen offered the affidavit into evidence as exhibit 1. Mayor Meche accepted. Assistant Chief went on to explain that many complaints were coming in that underage people were entering the bar and playing on gaming devices. An underage source was given money to go in and play the poker machine. They have video evidence of this person playing on the video poker machine. Amanda, barmaid, was cited for the minor playing machine.

The cash out ticket, exhibit 3, was introduced as evidence by Council Theunissen. No further questions.

Council Rovira read an opening statement to include Louisiana State Police having enforcement authority over gaming devices. She continued to read RS 27:15, 27:20 and 26:90, Council Rovira continued to read the statutes. Discussion continued on the understanding of the statutes.

Council Theunissen introduced exhibit 4, the notice to Koko bar, exhibit 4a email with Hanna Rovira waving service of the public notice, exhibit 5 Secretary of State regarding Koko bar LLC, exhibit 6 the licenses 31 retail beer; 32 retail liquor; license 33 retail dealer; license 34 video poker. Mayor Meche accepted.

Board of Aldermen discussed the statutes with both Council Hanna Rovira and Council Kay Theunissen. Explanation on how Koko bar is a very small establishment and the gaming devices are not in a separate room. After further clarification it was determined that the minor, 18 year old, being in the bar was legal; but playing the gaming machine was illegal.

Although the State gave permission to have all in the same room without separation, it was unanimous that the video poker machines should have a partition to separate them from the bar area. Even with a sign on the door saying no one under 21 allowed, an 18 year old was allowed in and allowed to play on the gaming devices. The employee who should have checked the ID was cited and paid the fine.

After bringing up the point that the establishment had so many complaints and Mr. Shakeel would need to do better for the Community.

Alderwoman Virginia LeCompte motioned to suspend the license at the same time frame of 90 days. Mayor Meche asked for a second, none was given. Motion dies failure of a second.

Without a second Mayor Meche called to adjourn the hearing.

Adjourn:

Motion to adjourn by Alderman Ryan Courville. Seconded by Alderwoman Debbie Kidder

Attest:

__________________

Brenda Richard

Town Clerk

__________________

Todd Meche

Mayor

12206730 4/1/26 ($280.68)