An arrest was made early last Tuesday (Dec. 23) in the 2017 murder of Donna Arceneaux just south of Franklinton.
Scott Jordan, age 59, was booked into the Washington Parish Jail after being charged with second-degree murder in the case. He is being held on $2 million dollars bond. Jordan was arrested as he was leaving his Franklinton workplace.
Jordan, who is currently a resident of the Isabel area, was the boyfriend of Ms Arceneux at the time of the murder. He had long been considered a prime suspect. However, only recently did evidence enable investigators from the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office to decide to actually charge Jordan in the murder, which occurred at Ms Arceneux’ residence on Highway 16 a very short distance south of the Franklinton city limits.
At a press conference in the Washington Parish Courthouse last Tuesday announcing the arrest, Sheriff Jason Smith expressed appreciation to investigators Fred Oswald and Jimmy Richard of the Sheriff’s Office for their efforts to solve the murder. He also thanked the Louisiana State Police crime lab and the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office for providing the forensic technology that helped lead toward the arrest. Smith also said he appreciates the assistance of the District Attorney’s Office throughout the investigation.
In addition, the Sheriff commended Franklinton native Tucker Simmons for keeping the murder in the public eye with his podcast. Simmons was also responsible for a banner seeking information about the murder. The banner was placed on the side of a downtown Franklinton building. Simmons said that with the arrest, the banner will now be removed.
District Attorney Collin Sims said, “Today’s arrest is a significant step forward for the family of Donna Arceneaux, and it serves as a clear message that we are dedicated to pursuing the truth, regardless of how many years have passed.”
On October 24, 2017, Ms Arceneaux, 40 years old, was discovered dead at her home.
The Sheriff’s Office investigated, but no arrests were made. The investigation was turned over to the Louisiana State Police. When Sheriff Smith took office in 2024, he said he wanted the by-now cold case to be handled by his investigators. So the case returned to the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Oswald and Richard began their own investigation. The sheriff said, “They were firmly committed to pursuing justice on behalf of Ms. Arceneaux and her loved ones. Their experience and perspective were instrumental to the progress we’ve made, and they remained disciplined and persistent throughout this process. I commend their ability to handle this case with the utmost diligence, professionalism and respect for the victim and her family.”
By late summer of 2024 Jordan had been identified as the suspect in the murder. The investigators worked with the District Attorney’s Office as their evidence was reviewed.
Finally, the arrest was imminent. As Jordan left his workplace Tuesday, deputies approached him and he was arrested without incident. He was taken to the jail and booked.
To answer the question of why Jordan was booked with second-degree murder instead of first-degree murder, Sheriff Smith explained that first-degree requires aggravating circumstances, such as a murder that occurs while another crime, such as as robbery, is being committed.
First-degree murder can result in the death penalty, while second-degree murder isn’t a death penalty crime, with the punishment being life in prison.
The next step in the judicial process will be for the Washington Parish Grand Jury to hear of the evidence. If the Grand Jury agrees that Jordan should go to trial on the first-degree murder charge, an indictment will be issued and a trial date will be set.
More than 8 years after the murder of Donna Arceneaux, Scott Jordan is now behind bars, charged with killing her. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty. It could still be months or even longer than a year before a trial takes place to determine his guilt or innocence.
