- Senator Bill Cassidy hopeful end of shutdown is near with bipartisan agreement building
- KISS founding member Ace Frehley's cause of death revealed
- Senate passes bill to reopen government; House set to return to DC
- LHSAA Volleyball playoffs shift to Cajundome for Quarterfinals
- Man allegedly confesses to shooting his cousin, arrest made
Two St. Landry Parish corrections deputies fired, accused of harming elderly inmate
5
OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) -- Two St. Landry Parish corrections deputies have been accused of harming a 73-year-old inmate, authorities said.
John Smith, 30, of Port Barre and Hayden Aymond, 19, of Opelousas have both been fired from the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office and charged with failure to seek assistance and malfeasance in office. Smith has also been charged with cruelty to a person with infirmities.
The Sheriff’s Office was notified by a social worker at Opelousas General Hospital Nov. 5 that a 73-year-old inmate may have suffered injuries at the hands of correctional officers.
An investigation resulted in criminal charges against Smith and Aymond, according to St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz.
"There is a continuing internal investigation into this matter and others who may or may not have been involved," Guidroz said. “I take the immense trust and responsibility that the citizens have in us very seriously. I insist that every employee conduct themselves in a manner beyond reproach. When they fail, we consider it our sacred responsibility to seek the truth, find out what happened and take corrective measures.”
Anyone with additional information about this crime is encouraged to call the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office at 337-948-6516.