St. Martinville – An investigation into fraudulent charges to a local bank customer’s checking account has led to the arrest of an Abbeville woman, St. Martin Parish Sheriff Becket Breaux said.
On Aug. 14, 2025, investigators with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office were contacted by a local bank regarding fraudulent charges on a customer’s checking account. The 180 unauthorized charges totaled $11,308.
During the monthslong investigation, detectives identified Shemeka Guilbeau, 25, of Abbeville, as the suspect.
An arrest warrant was obtained, and on Feb. 13, deputies arrested Guilbeau on the following charge:
• LA.R.S. 14:67.16, Identity Theft (1 Count) Guilbeau was booked and then released on a $20,000 bond.
Anyone who believes they are a victim of financial fraud is asked to report it immediately to the banking institution, as well as the Sheriff’s Office for an investigation.
The sheriff also said he would like to remind the public that best practices include monitoring your bank accounts at least once or twice a week to quickly detect fraud.
