A longtime teacher at the state-run Bridge City Center for Youth is facing criminal charges after authorities say he put a detained juvenile in a chokehold inside the West Bank facility, an incident officials say was captured on video and seen by multiple staff members. The June 3, 2026 arrest has sparked a criminal investigation by local authorities.
Booking records show 63-year-old Levelle Walker was taken into custody and booked on counts of malfeasance in office, cruelty to a juvenile and simple battery. His bail was set at $35,500, and he was being held at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna. The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to NOLA.
According to the arrest register, a youth at the center told investigators that "Walker grabbed him from behind by the neck and placed him in a chokehold." At least five other staffers - two teachers and three juvenile-justice specialists - are listed as witnesses. The register also notes that the encounter was captured on video, NOLA reported.
Bridge City Facility History
The Bridge City Center for Youth, located at 3225 River Road on the West Bank, is operated by the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice, according to the agency (OJJ). The facility has come under fire in recent years after riots, escapes and transfers that triggered statewide reviews and a reshuffling of residents, as reported by WDSU.
Legal Implications
Walker was booked on charges that carry significant penalties under state law. Malfeasance in office can bring up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 (La. Rev. Stat. § 14:134). The cruelty-to-juveniles statute provides penalties that may include up to 10 years in prison, depending on the circumstances (La. Rev. Stat. § 14:93).
Whether those booking counts will become formal charges is up to the Jefferson Parish district attorney, who will decide after reviewing the evidence. Investigators say they are going through the video and witness statements as the probe continues. The case remains under active review, and no court date has been publicly announced.
