Lake Charles Man Receives Life Sentence for 2023 Armed Robbery and Murder

William Dennis, 27, has received a mandatory life sentence for the second-degree murder of Damarcus Ardoin during a 2023 armed robbery in Westlake.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 7:11 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from KPLC 7 News (Lake Charles, LA).

Mandatory Life Sentence for Second-Degree Murder

On Tuesday, William Dennis was formally sentenced in a Calcasieu Parish court following his conviction in January. Dennis was found guilty of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice in connection with the killing of 25-year-old Damarcus Ardoin. Under Louisiana law, second-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. In addition to the life term, the judge sentenced Dennis to 20 years for the obstruction of justice charge.

The 2023 Home Invasion and Robbery

The investigation into Ardoin’s death began in 2023 after authorities responded to a shooting at his home in Westlake. Investigators determined that Dennis, along with three other individuals, orchestrated an armed robbery at the residence. During the encounter, Ardoin was shot in the head, an injury that proved fatal. Tactical evidence and witness statements eventually linked the four suspects to the scene, leading to a series of arrests across Calcasieu Parish and nearby Eunice.

Status of Co-Defendants

Dennis is the second individual to be sentenced to life for Ardoin’s murder. In June 2025, Kevin Williams of Eunice received an identical sentence following his own trial. A third suspect, Justin Ned, remains in custody at the Calcasieu Parish Jail. Ned faces several charges, including second-degree murder, and his trial is expected to proceed later this year as the District Attorney’s office seeks to conclude the judicial process for all parties involved in the robbery.