(The Center Square) − Several law enforcement officials across Louisiana have been arrested in recent weeks in a string of corruption and misconduct cases, including three arrests by Louisiana State Police in the last five days.
On Saturday, the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office asked the State Police Criminal Investigations Division to investigate a confrontation involving on-duty Deputy Drakel Carter. Investigators determined the deputy’s verbal dispute with an individual escalated into a physical altercation. Carter was arrested Monday, charged with simple battery and malfeasance in office.
New Orleans Police Officer Terrance “T.J.” Johnson, 56, surrendered Wednesday following an investigation of arrangements and payments for sexual encounters while on duty in the French Quarter. Johnson faces multiple counts, including prostitution, malfeasance in office, and injuring public records.
Also Monday, State Police arrested Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Frank Launer III, 50. He’s accused of automobile insurance fraud. Investigators say Launer obtained insurance coverage after a crash, then filed a claim the same day.
The Louisiana Attorney General’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation has also announced recent arrests.
On Aug. 6, former Golden Meadow Police Chief Troy Dufrene was charged with injuring public records, malfeasance in office, and computer tampering. Prosecutors say he deleted more than 12 years of police records following his election loss. Attorney General Liz Murrill said Dufrene’s actions disrupted the department’s operations and were a betrayal of public trust.
On July 31, Louisiana Bureau of Investigation agents arrested Ville Platte Police Officer Issac Johnson on charges of malfeasance in office, filing false public records, and obstruction of justice. Johnson is accused of participating in a scheme to frame another officer for tampering with missing evidence in a shooting investigation.
In a separate federal case announced July 16, five central Louisiana men – including Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle, Ward 5 Marshal Michael “Freck” Slaney, Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon, and former Glenmora Police Chief Tebo Onishea – were indicted alongside a local businessman. They are accused of a years-long scheme to submit fraudulent immigration applications for profit.
