A Port Barre police officer is accused of malfeasance in office and 3rd degree rape, police say.
On April 26, 2020, Port Barre Police Chief Deon R. Boudreaux received a report from St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office in reference to a complaint made from a Chalmette woman, on a Port Barre police officer for misconduct during a traffic stop.
The report indicated the woman was traveling on US 190, through Port Barre on March 10, 2020, when she was stopped for speeding by Officer Darwin Fontenot, according to Chief Boudreaux. The complainant had other violations and during the stop, an alleged proposition of sexual favor in trade for leniency was offered. The report stated the woman and Fontenot engaged in sexual activity.
"Our office was contacted by Chief Deon Boudreaux of the Port Barre Police Department to conduct an investigation on one of its officers." said St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz. "A complaint of possible malfeasance in office was lodged against the officer. After the investigation was completed Officer Darwin Fontenot was booked into the parish jail and charged with malfeasance in office and 3rd Degree Rape."
Fontenot admitted to engaging in sexual activity with the woman, Boudreaux stated.
Darwin Fontenot, 21, was arrested and booked on charges of malfeasance in office and 3rd degree rape, which defines sexual activity between an authority figure with someone in their custody. He has since bonded out and has been placed on administrative leave until termination, according to Chief Boudreaux.
"The public holds law enforcement to a high standard and so do I," said Chief Boudreaux. "Whether the sexual interaction was consensual or not doesn't justify it. I will not tolerate such unprofessional behavior from our police officers. It's a sad day when we have to arrest one of our own but wrong is wrong. Police officers are trusted with great power and responsibility to do what is right and to be the wedge between right and wrong. That trust is tarnished when officers are unprofessional".
Chief Boudreaux said he spoke to Fontenot on Saturday morning, and Fontenot admitted he did engage in sexual activity with the complainant, but stated that the two met up after he was off duty.
"Even if he was off duty, it doesn't make it right," added Boudreaux. "An officer nor any public servant should engage in that type of activity of exchanging sexual favors for leniency."
Fontenot was a St. Landry Parish Sheriff corrections officer prior to working for Port Barre. He's been with Port Barre about a year and a half and graduated the police academy in November 2019.
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