The assistant police chief of Rayville has been handcuffed with charges more commonly fought against than served with. Czyz Williams, the 43-year-old second-in-command at the Rayville Police Department, has been arrested on allegations of theft and malfeasance in office—a jarring juxtaposition to the role of trust and law enforcement he was expected to hold.
Investigation into the accusations began in September of the current year, when Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations Monroe Field Office (LSP MFO) was tipped off about potential misconduct. From the shadows of suspicion emerged a clearer, troubling picture of a lawman purportedly turned lawbreaker. As detailed by the official report from Louisiana State Police, Williams is believed to have unlawfully removed several firearms from police department property, only to then allegedly turn around and sell them. And this just part of the misconduct equation—as Williams is also accused to have fraudulently solicited monetary donations from community members for fictitious crime prevention programs.
A veritable arsenal of charges has been laid at Williams' feet following the allegations—the warrant enumerating three counts of theft of a firearm, one count of theft, and four counts of malfeasance in office. As per an account detailed by the Louisiana State Police announcement, Williams was arrested yesterday, October 16 without incident and booked into the Richland Parish Detention Center.
This case of alleged betrayal of the badge is far from closed. Louisiana State Police will continue to lead the investigation, with reminders that the process is anything but resolved. "The investigation remains active and ongoing," states a sentence with an active split infinitive from the LSP report, insisting that more may yet unfurl in the coming time. Members of the public who wish to, can anonymously partake in the quest for justice by reporting suspicious or criminal activity via the online form on Louisiana State Police's official website, easily found at the "Report Suspicious or Criminal Activity" section.
