A Louisiana man accused of holding a woman against her will for days and biting off part of her face during her escape is in custody after turning himself in, deputies said. Brandon Patrick, 31, was booked on domestic abuse battery with serious bodily injury and false imprisonment stemming from a Jan. 27 incident at a residence in Ponchatoula.
Deputies said the violence capped a domestic dispute that stretched over several days inside a home shared by the pair. The woman fled the residence on Jan. 27 and reported the attack, prompting an urgent search across Tangipahoa Parish. The sheriff’s office publicly warned that Patrick was dangerous and asked residents to call if they saw him. He surrendered on Jan. 30 at a Hammond substation after television reports noted the sheriff’s pointed advice to turn himself in. Investigators said the case remains open and additional or enhanced charges are possible as they review medical findings, witness statements and digital records tied to the home.
According to the sheriff’s office, the victim suffered “extensive injuries” when a portion of her face was bitten during the escape. She was hospitalized and later released to continue recovering in a safe location, a department spokesperson said. “Patrick turned himself in to us at our Hammond substation without incident following news reports that included the sheriff recommending he do so before the victim’s family got to him,” Public Information Officer Ashley Rodrigue said. Detectives said Patrick is an identical twin but has several distinctive marks and tattoos that aided identification, including a left-arm half-sleeve with a house and scroll and an old stab wound on his right hand.
Authorities said the initial call focused on a domestic violence complaint at the Ponchatoula address, about 50 miles northwest of New Orleans near Lake Pontchartrain. Investigators believe the dispute began over the prior weekend and that the victim was held against her will for days before managing to run from the home. Deputies canvassed nearby roads and checked for surveillance cameras that could show movements in and out of the neighborhood. As the search widened, the sheriff’s office described Patrick as a convicted felon with a local gang affiliation and cautioned that he might seek rides from strangers because he did not have a car.
Detectives said the evidence review includes medical documentation of the woman’s injuries, photographs from the residence, and interviews with neighbors and relatives. Officials have not publicly detailed the relationship between Patrick and the woman beyond saying they cohabited at the time. The department did not release the street address, citing the ongoing investigation and victim safety. No other injuries were reported. Investigators said they would consult with prosecutors on whether to file additional counts once the full case file, including hospital records and any recovered messages, is complete.
Ponchatoula is a small city known for its antiques district and strawberry festival, with residential areas that feed into rural highways and the I-12 corridor. Sheriff’s officials said the Jan. 27 incident drew a heavy response to the home and a wave of tips after photos of the suspect circulated on local newscasts and social media. The search ended three days later when Patrick arrived at the Hammond substation to surrender. Booking information was not immediately released, and bond details were pending a first court appearance in Tangipahoa Parish.
Under Louisiana law, domestic abuse battery with serious bodily injury is a felony that can carry significant prison time. False imprisonment can be charged when someone is held without consent and without proper legal authority. Prosecutors will review the sheriff’s reports, medical records and any forensic evidence before deciding whether to add or amend charges. A charging decision and an initial hearing date were expected after the weekend, according to authorities familiar with the review process.
Neighbors described routine traffic along the block during the search, with deputies knocking on doors and patrol units idling at intersections while investigators worked. After the surrender, the neighborhood returned to normal rhythms as detectives shifted to paperwork and follow-up interviews. “People were shaken up hearing what happened,” said a resident who asked not to be named, “but we were relieved when they said he was in custody.” The sheriff’s office said the victim’s location will remain confidential while she continues to recover.
As of Saturday morning, officials had not announced a formal court date or whether bond would be set before a charging review. The sheriff’s office said updates would follow after prosecutors complete their initial assessment and after investigators finalize interviews and gather additional medical documentation.
Author note: Last updated February 7, 2026.