Five public officials in Evangeline Parish, including the mayor of Ville Platte and Mamou’s police chief, were arrested Tuesday after state troopers say they pulled and shared protected law enforcement information tied to an active criminal case. Authorities say the leaked records included identifying details about alleged victims, a kind of disclosure that can jeopardize prosecutions and put people at risk. Those arrested span the local power structure, from elected leaders to a patrol sergeant, a 911 supervisor and an Opelousas patrol officer.
Who Was Arrested And What They Are Charged With
According to a news release from the Louisiana State Police, the five taken into custody are Ville Platte Mayor Ryan Williams, Mamou Police Chief Charles “Pat” Hall, Ville Platte Sgt. Darrien Guillory, Evangeline Parish 911 Dispatch Supervisor Chasecca Basco, and Opelousas Police Officer Yolanda Lewis. The release says all five face malfeasance in office charges, and that Hall, Guillory, Basco and Lewis were also booked on counts of trespass against state computers. State police say the probe began after a referral from the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office in March.
Allegations: Protected Data Reportedly Shared With A Defendant
Local reporting says detectives identified those officials as the people who used their access to state or government databases to pull information about an ongoing criminal matter, then passed it to an arrested defendant. That material reportedly included victim identifying details and other protected records that investigators say should not have been released, a move that can compromise cases and endanger sources, as reported by KPLC. The underlying criminal case and the defendant who allegedly received the information have not been publicly identified.
Booking And Bond Details
Most of the suspects were booked into the Evangeline Parish jail, while Lewis was booked in neighboring St. Landry Parish, local outlets reported. Bond was set at $75,000 for Chief Hall and $500 for Mayor Williams and Sgt. Guillory. Basco’s bond remained pending and Lewis was released on a $2,500 bond, according to jail records cited by WDSU.
Legal Implications Of The Charges
Malfeasance in office is a criminal statute in Louisiana that covers intentional misuse or unlawful performance of official duties and carries potential prison time, fines, and collateral consequences such as revocation of POST certification. The state also has a separate law on trespass against state computers that criminalizes unauthorized access or transmission of government data and includes prison terms, fines and forfeiture provisions. See the statutory language at RS 14:134 and RS 14:73.12 for penalties and definitions.
Investigation And What Comes Next
The Louisiana State Police said the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office requested an LSP Criminal Investigations Division probe in March and that the state agency is now leading an active investigation. Additional charges or additional subjects could follow as detectives develop evidence. Anyone with information was asked to contact the LSP CID Breaux Bridge Field Office at (337) 332-8080 or submit tips through the LSP website, according to the Louisiana State Police release.
Court filings and formal charging documents will be the next public milestones in a case that is likely to be closely watched across Evangeline Parish as hearings and motions start to hit the docket.
