FBI personnel from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia are converging at the East Baton Rouge Parish North Landfill in Zachary, Louisiana in the continuing search for 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather. The Baton Rouge Police Department asked for the FBI’s assistance in what is a complex and dangerous mission. The FBI agreed to provide the expertise the BRPD will need to conduct what could be a multi-week search.
The FBI Laboratory’s Technical Hazards Response Unit (THRU) and Evidence Response Team Unit (ERTU) with experts from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Team Adam provided detailed information to help law enforcement teams narrow their search at the landfill. According to those experts, the potential search area is still .64 acres filled with approximately 8,260 cubic yards of material. THRU provides expertise in how to navigate the hazardous environment that exists in a landfill by recommending and providing medical, hazmat, safety, and logistical support. ERTU, in conjunction with FBI Evidence Response Team members from local field offices, provide expertise in evidence identification, collection, and preservation and will utilize specialized tools and techniques to support the search for Minnieweather.
“The FBI is bringing in every potential resource we have to support local, state, and other federal law enforcement who will be on the ground here,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. “The Technical Hazards Response Unit, the Evidence Response Team Unit, and Team Adam’s combined expertise will increase our chances at a successful search mission. The ultimate mission is to bring Ja’Derrius home to his family.”
The last time the FBI’s Technical Hazards Response Unit and Evidence Response Team Unit were deployed to Louisiana was following the January 1, 2025 terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The FBI New Orleans Field Office is grateful for the law enforcement partners who have agreed to assist now and for those who are expected to join the search in the future. Those partners include, but are not limited to:
- FBI personnel from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Shreveport, and Monroe
- FBI Jackson Field Office (Mississippi)
- FBI Mobile Field Office (Alabama)
- FBI Technical Hazards Response Unit (FBI Laboratory – Quantico, Virginia)
- FBI Evidence Response Team Unit (FBI Laboratory – Quantico, Virginia)
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (Team Adam)
- Baton Rouge Police Department
- East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office
- Office of Mayor-President Sid Edwards Baton Rouge
- Governor’s Office of Homeland Security
- Louisiana State Police
- Louisiana National Guard
While the FBI and our partners provide specialized expertise, the Baton Rouge Police Department is responsible for the overall search and remains the primary investigative agency. Any case-related questions should be directed to them.
