A Mansfield police officer who turned himself in Friday now finds himself on the other side of the booking desk, facing three criminal counts after a Louisiana State Police misconduct probe that started earlier this year and is still active.
The officer, identified as 58-year-old Curtis Jones, was booked into the DeSoto Parish Detention Center following his arrest. According to a Region 3 news release from the Force Investigation Unit, troopers obtained an arrest warrant through the 42nd Judicial District Court charging Jones with malfeasance in office, simple battery and simple assault after state police received reports of alleged misconduct by a Mansfield officer. The investigation remains active and ongoing. Louisiana State Police
KSLA reported that Jones turned himself in at about 10:20 a.m. Friday and was processed at the DeSoto Parish Detention Center. The station also noted that investigators secured the arrest warrant through the 42nd Judicial District Court and that the Force Investigation Unit is leading the probe.
Mansfield officials say they are cooperating
In a statement included in the state police release, Assistant Chief Michelle Thomas said the Mansfield Police Department is fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities to ensure an impartial review, but added that the department could not discuss details because of the ongoing legal process. Louisiana State Police
According to the City of Mansfield's MPD leadership page, Thomas serves as assistant chief. City of Mansfield
What the charges mean
Under Louisiana law, malfeasance in office is defined at La. R.S. 14:134 and covers unlawful or intentionally improper actions by public officers; it can carry significant penalties. (Justia) Simple battery is defined in La. R.S. 14:35, and simple assault in La. R.S. 14:38; they are treated as separate offenses and are generally misdemeanors with lower maximum penalties. (Justia Louisiana Legislature)
The 42nd Judicial District Court issued the arrest warrant that led to Jones' booking, and prosecutors will decide whether to formally charge him as the investigation moves forward. Local court records or future filings in the 42nd JDC will show the next scheduled hearings and any bond information, which had not been released as of Friday. KSLA
