Brookhaven's Technical Administrator Patrick Earl Brown has been placed on unpaid suspension by the City after he was arrested in Louisiana and charged with a felony sex crime involving a juvenile. Brown, 43, was taken into custody on Oct. 30 by the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office, with bond set at $75,000.
According to the Daily Leader, Brown was arrested Friday, Oct. 30, and charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile. The newspaper reported that he has since been placed on unpaid suspension by the City following his arrest in Louisiana.
City Response and Chief's Statement
Brookhaven Police Chief Dustin Bairfield said the employee was immediately placed on administrative leave pending further review once the City learned of the out-of-state arrest, the same report notes. Bairfield added that the City takes these allegations seriously and is committed to professionalism, accountability, and integrity.
The chief also said the City is monitoring the situation and will take appropriate action as more information becomes available, per the same account. No further detail on the city's internal review process has been reported.
A Background in Local Education Technology
Before taking the city technology job, Brown served on the Brookhaven School District School Board and had previously worked as technical director for the Mississippi School of the Arts, the article states. Those prior roles placed him in technology positions connected to local schools before his move into the city administration post.
The Daily Leader's report notes that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. No court proceedings, plea, or case disposition beyond the reported arrest and charge have been confirmed.
What Louisiana Law Says About the Charge
Under a Louisiana statute excerpt reviewed in connection with this case, a conviction for felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile can carry a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment with or without hard labor for not more than ten years, or both, according to the Louisiana Legislature. That excerpt is incomplete and does not detail every element or exception within the statute.
No additional court records, charging documents, or updated case status have been made available beyond what the Daily Leader has reported. The matter remains in its early stages following Brown's arrest and the city's suspension action.
