December Theatre
December 18, 2006Catherine Mary Chauvin
December 20, 2006
Allegations that led to two Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s officers’ arrest and dismissal were dropped by the District Attorney’s Office after further investigation.
Sgt. William Constant, 31, of Thibodaux, and Deputy Jack Stewart, 63, of Paradis, were charged with malfeasance in office for their alleged actions on the night of Oct. 20.
While on downtown patrol, the officers charged picked-up Drake Landry, 18, in Thibodaux at the intersection of St. Phillip and Third streets for suspected underage drinking. According to LPSO spokesman Larry Weidel, Drake was handcuffed and placed in the back of a marked squad car around 2:08 a.m.
Instead of transporting the 18-year-old to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center for booking, the officers released Landry in a parking lot of a Catahoula business, Weidel said. It was because of this mistake, Landry could not be charged for underage consumption and the two officers were charged with malfeasance.
Those charges were dropped Dec. 18 after investigators could not accurately prove the officers’ actions.
“There is insufficient evidence to show that either officer is guilty of malfeasance in office,” said District Attorney Camille A. Morvant II.
In addition to a lack of credible proof, all parties were given a polygraph test – popularly known as a lie-detector test. Both officers passed their tests, while Landry failed his.
While the case against Constant and Stewart has been dropped, Morvant is currently preparing for another malfeasance case set to begin against a former Golden Meadow officer Brian Comardelle, 26.
Comardelle plead not guilty on Nov. 7 to charges of malfeasance, being accused of bribery during a traffic stop.
“We certainly take seriously any credible allegation of malfeasance by a member of law enforcement,” said Morvant, “but when there is no evidence of wrongdoing to present to a jury, the right thing to do is dismiss the charges.”
Morvant noted there is a considerable difference between the officer’s alleged failure to follow proper policies and the possible charge of a criminal offense.
“This decision should in no way be construed as a comment on whether or not the officers followed proper departmental procedures. It is only our determination that the charge of malfeasance in office is not supported by the evidence,” he said.
In order to work for the LPSO again, Constant and Stewart would have to reapply and follow standard hiring procedures. Weidel said he did not know whether the two would pursue reappointment with the sheriff’s office.
