By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Almost 10 months of investigation have led to two arrests in the last week for the second-degree murder of Meshach Mason.

Mason was found dead in August 2013 on Reserve’s East 16th Street near the train tracks, the victim of gun violence.

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Detrick Labranch, 21, of Houma Drive in LaPlace Thursday and booked him with second-degree murder in connection with Mason’s murder. He remains in custody in lieu of a $550,000.

On June 20 detectives arrested DeQuan Brown, 19, of Mercury Lane in Reserve and booked him with second-degree murder in connection with Mason’s murder. He remains in custody in lieu of a $550,000.

Authorities said evidence collected in the investigation and the persistent efforts of detectives led to identifying Labranch and Brown as suspects in the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. Callers can choose to remain anonymous.