Cops: Good Kids Fall In With A Bad Crowd

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Derek James Pieper, a high school lacrosse player planning to attend college, was killed July 28, 2006 when cops say he became involved with a bad crowd.

Like many high school seniors, 17-year-old Derek James Pieper was short on gas money. To keep the tank full, Derek drove classmates at Wesley Chapel High School wherever they needed to go in exchange for gas money. The arrangement worked, but cops say it involved Derek with a dangerous crowd.

On July 18, 2006 Derek attended a “Peer Pressure and Positive Choices" class given by Corporal Mike Jenkins of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. When the program was over, Derek talked with Mike and told him that he was involved with a group of guys that had guns and sold drugs. He gave them rides and had witnessed a shooting. He was scared. Mike told Derek to stay away from them and to call anytime if he needed help.

Cops say Luc Pierre-Charles Jr., also a Wesley Chapel senior, and Tyree A. Jenkins were two of the guys Derek was talking about. They asked Derek to help them rob and kill two rival dealers that Derek knew through school, but Derek refused.

On July 22, 2006 Pierre-Charles threatened Derek at a Walgreens. He told him that he knew where he lived and tossed him a bullet.

Derek tried to stay away from them, but on July 28, 2006 cops say he made a bad decision.

Derek left work at Bosco’s Italian To Go and went to a party at a friend’s house. After the party, Derek’s friend, 18-year-old Raymond Alphonse Veluz, asked Derek to help him buy marijuana, and Derek agreed.

Cops say Derek and Ray were good kids who weren’t known for getting into trouble. Derek was a member of Wesley Chapel’s lacrosse team who was planning to attend college, and Ray had only lived in the area for a few months.

That night Derek called Pierre-Charles' brother Andre.

The boys were last seen alive in front of Pasco Woods Apartments, where Pierre-Charles and Andre lived.

Derek and Ray were found dead on a dirt road in Trilby, Fla., more than 25 miles from their homes, on July 29, 2006. Each had been shot multiple times.

Two Years Later, A Break In The Case

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Luc Pierre-Charles Jr. is wanted by police for the murders of classmates Derek Pieper and Raymond Veluz.

Cops say the initial investigation centered on Jeremy Hanson Henry, an associate of Pierre-Charles, and Jenkins, who was also known to carry guns. As the investigation of Henry intensified, Henry told Pierre-Charles and Jenkins to turn themselves in to police.

On August 10, 2006, cops say Henry made a phone call. He told police that he didn’t kill Derek and Ray, but he knew who did. Henry had been with the group that night, but left before the shooting occurred -- and he named Pierre-Charles and Jenkins as the killers.

On August 13, 2006 Henry was found shot to death and another of Pierre-Charles’ associates, Commie Lateel Pattmon, was charged with his murder.

Nearly two years later, on July 24, 2008, deputies finally had enough information to issue warrants for Pierre-Charles and Jenkins. That day, Jenkins was arrested in a traffic stop.

“We got just got lucky,” Det. Lisa Schoneman of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office said. “Minutes after the warrant was issued, he was picked up.”

Cops say Jenkins was charged with two counts of first degree murder, and possession of cocaine and marijuana with intent to sell. But Pierre-Charles is still on the run, and cops say he is armed and dangerous.

Pierre-Charles' Whereabouts Unknown

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Raymond Alphonse Veluz, 18, was killed July 28, 2006, only months after moving to the Pasco County, Fla. area.

He was last seen in Wesley Chapel, Fla. in May 2008, when police arrested him on Polk County charges of home invasion and aggravated assault.

Cops say a Pasco County deputy stopped Pierre-Charles for a traffic violation, placed him under arrest and put him in the back seat of the car. Pierre-Charles asked if he could hand his wallet to his cousin through the window, but when the deputy lowered the window, Pierre-Charles reached through and tried to open the door.

After struggling with the deputy, Pierre-Charles forced the deputy out of the way and climbed out the window. The deputy shot him with a taser, but while he waited for the taser to recharge, Pierre-Charles broke the leads and ran. Cops say he has been hiding ever since.
 
Deputies put Pierre-Charles in the back of the police car, but he escaped custody before he could be brought back to the station. Cops say he has been in hiding ever since.

Pierre-Charles is now wanted for two counts of first degree murder, resisting arrest with violence and battery of a law enforcement officer, in addition to the Polk County charges, according to police.

Cops say Charles has family in New Jersey; Miami, Fla.; Jamaica and Haiti. He may also be in Georgia; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; or in Lake or Polk Counties.

Charles is tall and thin with no known scars or tattoos. If you have seen him or know where he might be, call our hotline at 1-800-CRIME-TV and help us take this dangerous killer off the streets. All tipsters can remain anonymous.

Accused Killer Captured After Two Year Search

U.S. Marshall's arrested Luc Pierre-Charles Jr. at about 11:45 p.m. on Oct. 6, 2008 in Rockledge, Fla. Authorities say Pierre-Charles was in a back room of a relative's house where he had probably been for about three weeks. Authorities say Pierre-Charles resisted arrest and was tasered before being taken into custody. He was booked by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office. Marshal's credit informants and investigative resources for the capture.