U.S. Attorney’s Office February 09, 2014 Middle District of Louisiana (225) 389-0443
BATON ROUGE, LA—United States Attorney Walt Green announced that
Earl L. Theriot, age 65, of Sorrento, Louisiana, pled guilty today before Chief
U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson to making false statements to an FBI
special agent in connection with a criminal civil rights investigation. Theriot
faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release following
imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000.
At today’s hearing, Theriot admitted that on November 1, 2013,
while serving as the chief of police for the town of Sorrento and following a
911 emergency police dispatch, he contacted an unresponsive individual at a
local gas station, placed her in the front seat of his police unit, and,
instead of bringing her back to her residence, transported her to his office at
the Sorrento Police Department, where he engaged in inappropriate sexual
contact with her. Theriot also admitted to later making numerous false
statements to an FBI special agent and a deputy with the Ascension Parish
Sheriff’s Office who were investigating whether Theriot violated federal civil
rights laws, among other things.
On February 7, 2014, Theriot resigned as chief of police as
required by the plea agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office.
United States Attorney Green stated, “This office, along with our
federal, state, and local partners, are dedicated to conducting thorough and
complete investigations into credible allegations of police corruption and
civil rights violations. Those who seek to obstruct such efforts by making
false statements to federal investigators will face severe consequences. My
special appreciation to Sheriff Jeff Wiley of the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s
Office, District Attorney Ricky Babin of the 23rd Judicial District, and the
FBI who worked seamlessly with my office to ensure justice was done.”
This prosecution and investigation were conducted jointly by the
United States Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the
Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the District Attorney’s Office for the
23rd Judicial District.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney
Chris Dippel.