Bay St. Louis man sentenced to 40 years for murder

Bay St. Louis, Mississippi – District Attorney W. Crosby Parker said that 33-year-old Drew Daniel Bourgeois, of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi pled guilty yesterday to one count of Second-Degree Murder.

Judge Larry Bourgeois sentenced the defendant to 40 years, 10 suspended, 30 years to serve in prison, with 5 years of reporting post-release supervision.

The case began on July 11, 2016, the Waveland Police Department responded to Chesapeake Street in Shoreline Park where a body was located. The body was believed to be Jeremy Fountain, who had been missing since July 1, 2016. Investigators initially developed Brad Fitch and Drew Bourgeois as suspects in the murder.

During an interview with police, Fitch identified the defendant as the person who shot Jeremy Fountain, and stated that the defendant asked him and a juvenile to assist in cleaning up the Hancock County crime scene.

Investigators also located various witnesses who stated that in the days following July 1, 2016, the defendant made statements indicating that he shot someone, and in some instances, witnesses stated the defendant identified Jeremy Fountain as the person he shot.

“The remains from Shoreline Park were positively identified as Jeremy Fountain through DNA comparison with his mother. An autopsy revealed that Fountain suffered a gunshot wound to the head,” said Assistant District Attorney Chris Daniel, who prosecuted the case.

At the plea hearing, the defendant told the Court, “We went into the woods to shoot guns. I pointed the gun at him and shot him. I didn’t mean to kill him. I was high on drugs. I want to apologize to the family. I am really sorry.”

The victim’s father spoke at sentencing and advised the Court, “He took the only son I had. He is a coward. There is a lot I would like to say, but I agree with this resolution. You could give him 100 years, and it wouldn’t do me justice.”

At sentencing Judge Bourgeois told the defendant, “No parent should have to bury their child. I don’t know this family’s pain; I can only imagine it. Your actions affect you, the victim and his family; they are far reaching. There is nothing anyone can do to bring Jeremy Fountain back. Your apology rings hollow. You don’t even know the pain you caused these people.”

Judge Bourgeois also ordered this Mississippi sentence to run concurrent with a Louisiana sentence the defendant is currently serving.

“We appreciate the hard work, dedication and commitment of the Waveland Police Department that ensured this arrest and conviction. This was a brutal and senseless taking of a young man’s life. Our sympathies and prayers are with the victim’s family and we are hopeful this conviction and sentence will assist the victim’s family in their healing process,” said DA Parker.