Houston Police Department

February 16, 2006 -- Houston police homicide investigators hope Crime Stoppers reward monies in Houston and New Orleans will help them locate five suspects charged and wanted in three murders and one home invasion shooting in the city since December 28, 2005.

All five suspects are Louisiana residents relocated to Houston following Hurricane Katrina and are believed to be either in the Houston area or between here and New Orleans. Crime Stoppers officials in both cities have coordinated efforts to streamline tip information and assist in the apprehension of the suspects.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeants B. Harris, J. Roberts and G. Gonzales and Officers T. Ruland, J. Sosa and M. Walker reported:

The first suspect, Jerome Hampton (b/m, DOB 3-12-82), is charged with murder in the 209th State District Court in the December 28, 2005 killing of Steven Kennedy, 24, at 1303 La Concha. Investigators said both Hampton and Kennedy were members of separate gangs in New Orleans. The motive in the shooting is believed to be revenge. It's also believed suspect Hampton is traveling with two other wanted Louisiana/Houston murder suspects, Ivory "B-Stupid" Harris and Travis Jordan.

The second and third suspects, Richard Foster (b/m, DOB 11-23-88) and Ricardo J. Irvin (b/m, DOB 9-18-87), are each charged with capital murder in the 178th State District Court in the death of Gregory Sartain, 19, at 8080 Creekbend on February 6. A second victim, Bennie Curtis, 25, was also shot and transported to an area hospital in critical condition. The motive for the double shooting is robbery of the victims' FEMA money.

The fourth suspect, Robert Helmstetter (b/m, DOB 4-20-85), is charged with murder in the 184th State District Court in the killing of Freddie Magee, 21, at 3950 Hollister on February 9. McGee, a friend of Helmstetter's and fellow Hurricane Katrina evacuee, got into an argument with Helmstetter and said Helmstetter and his girlfriend might have stolen some items from him.

The fifth suspect, Michael T. Mabon (b/m, DOB 11-21-83), is charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon in the 182nd State District Court for his role as one of three suspects in a home invasion at 6200 West Tidwell on January 23. When the homeowner fatally shot one of the suspects, Mabon and another male suspect fled.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of any of these suspects is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600, Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS or Crime Stoppers of New Orleans at 504-837-TIPS.

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.